Data fabrics connect data so people, apps, and AI can use it more easily.

Appian data fabric unifies enterprise data in hybrid and multi-cloud architectures. It reduces the burden of integration and data management with access to real-time data stored across systems. Appian data fabric is different because it:

• Handles very large volumes of data, up to 10 million rows. Competing offerings can handle only a thousand rows of data or less. 

• Automatically optimizes performance based on how users are accessing data. It does not require manual tuning by database administrators.

• Connects data across silos. Lets you update and take action on it directly in your applications.
  

Key data fabric capabilities include:

• Data integration and connection. Unifies data from any source (cloud, on-premise, legacy systems) and delivers it to any target in real time or batch.

• Data catalog and discovery. Provides a searchable inventory of all data assets, making it easy to find, understand, and use enterprise data no matter where it’s stored. 

• Data governance and security. Enforces enterprise-wide security policies, access controls, and compliance requirements automatically at both system and record levels.

• Data orchestration. Automates how data moves across systems, packaging fragmented data into usable formats through secured web services.

• Data preparation. Automatically cleanses, transforms, and enriches data for use in analytics and AI applications.

• Data persistence: Dynamically stores data in different formats (relational and non-relational) while maintaining consistency and accessibility.

A platform will integrate data fabric with its other capabilities. For example, Appian Process HQ is a process and data intelligence tool that uses data fabric to find process issues and recommend actions to resolve them. And it lets business users effortlessly generate self-service reports. Data fabric also provides the data foundation for other Appian Platform capabilities like AI Copilot and AI-powered semantic search.

There are 5 steps to implement data fabric in Appian:

1. Integrate. Building a data fabric starts with defining integration points and syncing with source systems. Appian allows you to securely integrate with any data source.
2. Model. Data objects in Appian are modeled as record types. Record types are easy to configure, requiring only a simple schema definition with field names and data types.
   
3. Connect. Connecting data records makes all data accessible across systems.
4. Secure. Data governance and security are enforced through access control lists, row-level security policies, and security protocols in compliance with leading regulatory frameworks.
   
5. Build. Low-code apps built in Appian can access data fabric for real-time insights.
   

Strong data fabric software helps enterprises build a resilient data system. Organizations should look for a data fabric product that offers:

• Scalability to unify diverse data sources. The data fabric should integrate on-premises, cloud, and edge systems. 

• A robust data catalog with a searchable inventory that supports self-service analytics.

• Governance and compliance with strict access controls and data protection.

• Real-time monitoring and auditability to meet regulatory requirements.

• Innovation such as AI tools and real-time analytics.

• Intuitive interfaces so business users can access insights without IT involvement.
  

Appian Process HQ is a process and data intelligence tool that empowers users to make faster data-driven decisions. Its self-service analytics capabilities let business users analyze data without relying on IT teams. Here's what it offers:

• Unified data access. In a single workspace, users can view all data records from multiple sources and use it in reports. 

• Intuitive dashboards. Users can visualize insights through charts, grids, and KPIs. Drag-and-drop tools make creating reports easy.

• Natural language querying. AI Copilot lets users ask questions about their data in plain language. The system generates insights instantly.

• Real-time insights. Data fabric delivers real-time analytics. This lets users monitor trends and act on current information without delays.

• Data exploration. Users can easily navigate data sets, filter information, and perform ad hoc analyses.

• Collaboration tools. Teams can share insights, reports, and dashboards.
  

See the Appian Documentation site for more information on data fabric. For more extensive documentation, you’ll need access to Appian Community.

Private and open source data fabric differ in their ownership, accessibility, and support.

Open source data fabric is built on publicly available code. It is free to use and modify but requires significant technical expertise to set up, maintain, and secure. Open source offers unlimited customization through community-developed plug-ins and extensions. It is best suited for organizations with strong in-house development teams.

Private data fabric like Appian's comes ready-to-use. It has built-in security, professional support, and automatic updates. Private data fabric enables faster implementation but with less customization flexibility. It may come at a higher initial price point but has lower maintenance and development costs. It is ideal for organizations that need a complete solution without extensive technical overhead.