Data Management Builds Framework for AI to Safely Scale, ISG says

Information Services Group (III) has released its 2026 ISG Buyers Guides for Data Management and Operations, highlighting how enterprises are investing in data management platforms to safely scale AI use.

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Companies expanding AI prioritize software to support data governance, usability and trust amid ongoing change, new research says

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Enterprises are accelerating investment in data management tools and platforms so they can confidently scale AI implementations, according to new research from global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III).

The 2026 ISG Buyers Guides™ for Data Management and Operations indicate that organizations advancing AI from small-scale projects to full-scale deployments have recognized the urgent data requirements this move creates. At scale, AI demands higher data volume for model training, freshness for inference and quality for reliable outputs. The transition to AI-enabled operations escalates the importance of processing, managing and governing data in accordance with strategic objectives.

“Data is foundational to AI, so effective data management underpins all enterprise AI ambitions,” said Kathy Rudy, partner, ISG Data, Analytics and Technology Office. “Our research shows enterprises consider data usability a significant challenge for AI applications, and many find they need to strengthen their data capabilities before bringing AI to production.”

The ISG Buyers Guide research provides the rankings and ratings of 68 software providers and their products for the administration of data throughout its lifecycle. The series includes guides to software for data quality, data observability and data integrity, along with data intelligence and data engineering platforms.

Governance is an increasingly important function of data management software as enterprises accelerate analytics and agentic AI initiatives. Outdated, inaccurate or poorly organized information degrades the value of data-driven decision-making. By cataloging and protecting data and enhancing trust, in addition to supporting regulatory compliance, governance establishes guardrails that allow organizations to move quickly while reducing risk.

Enterprises also need a single version of the truth that is visible and accessible across the organization. They are adopting master data management to maintain trusted reference data and data intelligence platforms to give administrators a comprehensive view of data production and consumption. These tools allow companies to accelerate data democratization through governed self-service access for both analysts and business users.

As enterprises modernize data management to meet requirements emerging from AI, regulation and other challenges, many are embracing DataOps, a set of tools and practices for continuously processing and delivering data in changing environments. Inspired by DevOps, DataOps enables more agile data management and increased automation. It provides a flexible environment for the development, testing, deployment and orchestration of data integration and processing pipelines. DataOps also allows organizations to incorporate feedback on data processes from multiple stakeholders.

“Data management is becoming more tightly integrated with changing IT infrastructures and operations,” said Matt Aslett, director of research, analytics and data, ISG. “Through 2028, we expect two-thirds of enterprises to be using agile and collaborative practices for better responsiveness and faster AI adoption.”

For the 2026 ISG Buyers Guides for Data Management and Operations, ISG produced five Buyers Guides: Data Management and Operations, Data Quality and Data Observability, Data Integrity, Data Intelligence and Data Products and Data Engineering. Each covers the essential platform categories and products in the given technology segment. A total of 68 providers were assessed: Acceldata, Actian, Airbyte, Alation, Alibaba Cloud, Alteryx, Anomalo, Astronomer, Ataccama, Atlan, AWS, Bigeye, BMC, Boomi, CData, Cloud Software Group, Cloudera, Collibra, Databricks, Datadog, DataGalaxy, DataKitchen, DataOps.live, Denodo, Domo, Dremio, Experian, Fivetran + dbt Labs, Gathr, Google Cloud, Harbr Data, Huawei Cloud, IBM, Immuta, InterSystems, Jitterbit, K2view, Matillion, Microsoft, Monte Carlo, Nexla, One Data, Oracle, OvalEdge, Palantir, Pentaho, Precisely, Qlik, Quest, RightData, Rocket Software, Salesforce, SAP, SAS, ServiceNow, Sifflet, SnapLogic, Snowflake, Software AG, Solace, Starburst, Stibo Systems, Stonebranch, Syndigo, Syniti, Tencent Cloud, Workato and Zoho.

ISG rates software providers’ products in five evaluation categories: Overall, Product Experience, Capability, Platform and Customer Experience. Providers ranked in the top three for each evaluation category are named as Leaders. Within each platform category, those that meet the greatest proportion of our evaluation criteria are named as Overall Leaders.

Databricks was the top Overall Leader in three of the five Buyers Guides: Data Management and Operations, Data Intelligence and Data Products and Data Engineering. In Data Management and Operations, it was followed by Pentaho and IBM. In Data Intelligence and Data Products, it was followed by Pentaho and Actian. In Data Engineering, it was followed by Alteryx and DataOps.live.

Acceldata was the top Overall Leader in the Buyers Guide for Data Quality and Data Observability, followed by Pentaho and Databricks.

Salesforce was the top Overall Leader in the Buyers Guide for Data Integrity, followed by IBM and SAP.

In addition, the following providers were rated as Exemplary or Innovative in each of the Buyers Guides:

Data Management and Operations: Databricks, IBM, Pentaho and SAP were rated Exemplary. Qlik and Salesforce were rated Innovative.

Data Quality and Data Observability: Acceldata, Actian, Collibra, Databricks, IBM, Pentaho and Qlik were rated Exemplary. No providers were rated Innovative.

Data Integrity: Actian, Alation, AWS, Collibra, Databricks, IBM, Microsoft, Pentaho, Precisely, Salesforce and SAP were rated Exemplary. Ataccama and Syniti were rated Innovative.

Data Intelligence and Data Products: Alation, Databricks, IBM and Pentaho were rated Exemplary. Actian, Microsoft, Qlik and Salesforce were rated Innovative.

Data Engineering: Alteryx, AWS, Boomi, Databricks, DataOps.live, Google Cloud, IBM, Matillion, Pentaho, Salesforce and SAP were rated Exemplary. Fivetran + dbt Labs, Palantir and Qlik were rated Innovative.

The ISG Buyers Guides for Data Management and Operations are the distillation of more than a year of market and product research efforts. The research is not sponsored nor influenced by software providers and is conducted solely to help enterprises optimize their business and IT software investments.

Visit this webpage to learn more about the ISG Buyers Guides for Data Management and Operations and read executive summaries of each of the five reports. The complete reports, including provider rankings across seven product and customer experience dimensions and detailed research findings on each provider, are available by contacting ISG.

About ISG

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data and research, in-depth knowledge and governance of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,500 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260916104842/en/

Press Contacts:

Laura Hupprich, ISG
+1 203 517 3132
laura.hupprich@isg-one.com

Erik Arvidson, Matter Communications for ISG
+1 978-518-4542
isg@matternow.com

Source: Information Services Group, Inc.

Key Terms

data governance technical

Data governance is the set of rules and practices that ensure information is accurate, consistent, and used responsibly within an organization. It is like a well-organized library system that keeps track of all the books, making sure they are correct, easy to find, and used properly. For investors, strong data governance helps ensure that the information they rely on is trustworthy and decisions are based on reliable data.

data observability technical

Data observability is the ability to continuously monitor and assess the health, accuracy, and completeness of data as it is collected and used. It helps ensure that the information relied upon for decision-making is reliable and trustworthy, much like regularly checking a car’s gauges to confirm it’s running smoothly. For investors, it’s crucial because trustworthy data leads to better insights and more confident choices.

master data management technical

Master data management is the practice and set of tools a company uses to create one consistent, trusted version of its core business information—like customers, products, suppliers and accounts—so every team and system is working from the same “single list.” For investors this matters because cleaner, unified data reduces operational errors, improves financial reporting and forecasting, and lowers the risk of costly mistakes or compliance problems, much like replacing scattered, conflicting contact lists with one reliable address book.

dataops technical

DataOps is a set of practices and processes that streamline the management, sharing, and analysis of data within organizations. It ensures data is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible, much like a well-organized library that makes finding and using information quick and reliable. For investors, effective DataOps helps companies make timely, informed decisions, reducing risks and improving overall performance.