Informatica MDM Cloud SaaS Interview FAQ: What is a crosswalk in Reference 360, and how is it used?

In Informatica Reference 360, a crosswalk is a mechanism that establishes mappings between different representations of reference data across multiple systems or domains. It helps unify and manage reference data by linking equivalent data values from disparate systems. Crosswalks ensure that consistent reference data is maintained throughout the enterprise, enabling seamless integration and accurate data interpretation.

Key Characteristics of a Crosswalk:

1. Multi-System Mapping: Links reference data from multiple source systems to a unified set of standard values.
2. Contextual Integrity: Maintains the meaning of reference data in the context of each system.
3. Scalability: Supports complex mapping scenarios involving multiple systems or versions.
4. Centralized Management: Enables governance of reference data mappings from a central platform.

How is a Crosswalk Used in Reference 360?

Here are the typical use cases and workflow for using a crosswalk in Reference 360:

1?? Standardization of Reference Data

• A crosswalk is used to standardize reference data by mapping values from different systems (e.g., "USA" in one system, "United States" in another) to a common, canonical value ("US").

2?? Facilitating Data Integration

• During data integration, crosswalks ensure that all systems interpret the same reference data correctly, avoiding mismatches caused by different naming conventions.

3?? Reference Data Validation

• Crosswalks can be employed to validate data consistency across systems by verifying that data conforms to the defined mappings.

4?? Reporting and Analytics

• In enterprise reporting or analytics, crosswalks align reference data from diverse sources, ensuring accurate and meaningful insights.

5?? API Access for Real-Time Mapping

• Reference 360 provides APIs that leverage crosswalks for real-time lookups or validations during transactional processes.

Example Use Case:

Imagine you have three systems:

• CRM System: Represents country codes as "USA," "CAN," "MEX."
• ERP System: Represents them as "United States," "Canada," "Mexico."
• Master System: Uses "US," "CA," "MX" as standardized codes.

A crosswalk in Reference 360 would map:

• "USA" → "US"
• "United States" → "US"
• And so on, for every system and value.

This mapping ensures that all systems can "speak the same language" when referencing country codes.

Benefits of Using Crosswalks:

1. Improved Data Consistency: Reduces discrepancies across systems.
2. Simplified Integration: Streamlines ETL workflows and API integrations.
3. Enhanced Governance: Centralized control over reference data mapping.
4. Better Data Quality: Ensures that reference data adheres to defined standards.

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