How Does Metaform Work?
Unify Everything
Metaform integrates disparate data sources, delivering universal access through a seamless, intuitive interface.
Connect
Connect Anything, Anywhere
Metaform bridges silos -- connecting structured and unstructured data from anywhere to deliver a unified view.
Simple Data Connectors
Connecting your data, whether relational databases or JSON files, is as simple as filling out a form.
Combine
Schema Discovery, On the Fly
As data scales and schemas shift, traditional integration—dependent on upfront preparation—quickly breaks down. Metaform addresses this with dynamic schema discovery and SQL-native transformation, delivering seamless, at-source integration that evolves with your data.
Consume
Metaform helps you rise above the noise of fragmented systems. Its unified platform, built on open standards, hides the complexity so you can think, move, and act fast.
Visualize Trends
Metaform extends your analytics beyond the data warehouse —connecting external sources into a single, virtualized view.
Build a Data Firewall
Metaform minimizes risk by providing reverse proxy access, centralized access control, and a reduction in the need for physical data copies.
Push Anywhere
Metaform helps organizations with specific constraints adopt edge computing by seamlessly integrating new data sources with existing environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problem does Metaform solve?
Metaform addresses the challenge of analyzing growing and diverse data sets. We solve this problem by providing a schema-free SQL engine that lets users query data in-situ (right where it lives) without requiring any data transformation.
Who should use Metaform?
Metaform is designed for a broad range of users who need insights from data without hassle. It's ideal for data analysts, scientists, developers, and even business users who want to explore and analyze data using standard SQL.
Why should I use Metaform vs. another database?
Metaform isn't just another database—it's a schema-free SQL engine designed for fast, ad hoc analysis across multiple data sources. Unlike conventional databases that require predefined schemas and data ingestion, Metaform lets you query data in place without ETL.
How does Metaform handle large amounts of data?
As an at-scale distributed execution engine, Metaform can process terabytes of data in real-time. Unlike traditional SQL engines that require preloading data into a database, Metaform performs in-situ querying, meaning it reads data directly from its source without duplication.
Is Metaform available today?
Yes. Metaform is production-ready and available now. It has been in development for almost a decade, and the latest stable release, version 2.5.1, came out in March.
How can I get data into Metaform?
One of Metaform's strengths is that you don't need to load your data. Instead of importing data, you point Metaform to your data sources, and our schema-free engine can query data in place in-situ without any data transformation.
Is Metaform available on cloud platforms?
Yes. You can quickly deploy and run Metaform on any cloud platform. Metaform is infrastructure-agnostic, meaning it runs anywhere you can run a container.
Can I run Metaform on my own hardware?
Yes. Metaform runs on commodity hardware located anywhere. You can run it on a single machine (even a laptop for testing) and then scale out to a multi-node cluster when tackling more extensive data.
Let's talk data.
Talk with an engineer about your data needs and discover how we can help you move faster—with less complexity.
