Ensuring Data Consistency and Collaboration with Data Contracts

How Data Contracts Work

– A data contract is essentially a formal agreement between data producers—those who create or modify data—and data consumers—those who use it, explains Fredrik Blom, Managing Director of Syntio Nordics.

Think of it like a business contract. It ensures that everyone involved knows exactly what the data will look like, how it will be structured, and how it can be used. This prevents unexpected changes that could disrupt operations and minimizes additional costs for debugging and fixing errors.

Syntio Nordics offers a unique approach to data contracts by embedding them directly into the engineering workflows of organizations.

– At Syntio Nordics, we integrate data validations and dependency checks into the continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) process, says Ivan Celikovic, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Syntio. This means that any change that could violate a data contract is flagged before it can cause disruptions. Our system doesn’t just stop the change—it also helps assess the business impact and communicates with the right team to resolve the issue.

This proactive approach ensures that data changes are handled smoothly, without causing downstream problems for teams that rely on consistent data flows.

Driving Business Growth and Compliance

The benefits of data contracts extend far beyond technical issues—they can have a profound impact on business efficiency and decision-making.

– One of the biggest advantages of data contracts is that they allow teams to trust the data and the structure of the data they receive, Blom explains. When data structure is consistent and reliable, teams can make faster, smarter decisions, which leads to better business outcomes.

As companies grow, their data needs become more complex. Managing the flow of data across multiple departments or systems can be daunting, and even small errors can lead to significant operational issues.

– Data contracts ensure that as companies scale, their data flows remain stable, says Celikovic. By embedding contracts into workflows, businesses can avoid the costly breakdowns that often occur during periods of rapid growth.

This scalability is particularly important for companies undergoing digital transformation or expanding into new markets. With data contracts in place, they can focus on growth without worrying about system breakdowns or data mismanagement.

In addition, data contracts play a critical role in regulatory compliance, ensuring that sensitive data is handled appropriately, and in compliance with regulations like GDPR which is essential for any business handling customer data.

– They ensure everyone is on the same page about how data should be used and stored, reducing the risk of non-compliance, highlights Celikovic.

Data contracts are emerging as a key tool for businesses that want to stay ahead. By adopting this approach, companies can ensure data consistency, streamline operations, and foster collaboration across departments—all while enabling faster growth and reducing risk.

– With data contracts, we’re making sure that data is not just available, but also reliable, scalable, and compliant. That’s how we’re transforming the way businesses handle their data, Blom concludes.