Today, you can’t even fathom how much data is generated each day. Data is a part of everything; For example, if you are conducting a survey and start making a sheet to craft questions and queries to write on; you are doing this to make data for a specific record. Many businesses in the world use data to manage things in an organized way, like making monthly income and performance sheets or making working calendars to carry out things better. Companies rely on data because it enables them to gather the correct information and make effective solutions. This helps companies drive their businesses successfully in the right direction without mishap.
There are two types of data, called structured and unstructured data. Both these types of data are useful and are used widely to carry out many things for your needs.
Structured data is quite simple and easily searchable. Meanwhile, unstructured data is quite complex and requires a lot of parameters.
This blog will discuss everything about structured and unstructured data, and how these types of data can work for your needs. So, let’s start from the base to get complete knowledge of structured and unstructured data.
What is Structured Data?
The structured data is predefined data and relates to the quantitative data. It is the most common type of data, and everyone uses it daily while working for various purposes. This data is written in an easy format and is easily readable.
In simpler words, structured data is any information such as a date, address, name, telephone number, or any other related thing that defines specific information regarding anything. you can easily search for or make changes in structured data without fear of losing it.
What is Unstructured Data?
The word suggests that this type of data is unstructured and not stored in a predefined way like structured data. Most commonly, unstructured data is categorized as qualitative data, and you cannot process and analyze it with the latest tools and procedures.
Moreover, it cannot be stored in rows and columns like Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, making them more difficult to analyze. These data are usually images and videos. e won’t be wrong if we declare the unstructured data as visual.
Difference Between Structured Vs. Unstructured Data
Many considerable things make both types of data different from each other. The differences between structured and unstructured data are strong, and you should have complete knowledge before using them for your needs.
We have gathered some key differences regarding both data to understand them in the best possible way.
I have tried to explain more on What Do You Mean By Data Structure: Types, Classifications, And Applications.
Forms
when we talk about structure data, it mainly consists of numbers and values. However, unstructured data is the one that contains videos, images, sensors, text, audio, etc.
Sources
The data sources of structured data are online forms, GPS sensors, networks, web server logs, etc. The unstructured data sources include PDFs, word-processing files or documents, electronic mail, etc.
Storage
SQL databases or excel sheets are tabular formats used to store structured data as we all know it requires minimum storage space. To make it scalable and efficient, it is usually stored in data warehouses.
While the structured data is stored as NoSQL databases or media files, as they are usually audio, video, and image files, NoSQL databases store large data files, and it has more space. Moreover, unstructured data becomes quite difficult to scale when it is stored in data lakes.
Models
Before storing it, the structured data is formatted to a set data structure. While the unstructured data is stored in its native format, it is not processed before it is used.
Where Are These Data Mostly Used?
Now we have a bit of idea regarding both data, now look at some of its use cases from which we will know where these data are used.
Structured Data Works in
Some of the areas where structured data is used are:
1. Accounting and Banking
Many giant companies and banks record and process large amounts of data regularly, most of their transactions. They leverage database management systems in order to keep the structured data in place.
2. Customer Relationship Management
CRM software is used to run structured data with the help of some analytical tools. These tools assist in the creation of datasets that make them identify customer behavior trends and patterns.
3. Online Booking
The hotel and ticketing firms are the ones that make full use of structured data. The services of ticket reservations and various hotel bookings make the most out of the predefined structured data model in this field; the data is mainly related to booking or making reservations. The data these services mainly store is usually dates, locations, cost, stay, etc. the structured data works the best for them because of the rows and columnar structure.
4. Inventory Control System
The inventory control systems organizations leverage the structured data because of its predefined model and organized manner.
5. ATMs
When we talk about an ATM, the users of it undergo a simple and predefined model which shows the easy working capability of structured data.
Unstructured Data Works in
Unstructured data is used in:
1. Text Analytics
Dealers and manufacturers of various firms use advanced text analytics to check customer claims, such as warranty claims.
2. Sound and Image Recognition
Speech recognition is the most important task in every call center as it helps identify its consumers. t helps them to gather information about their complaints and appropriately take action. Similarly, image recognition helps online sellers to facilitate their customers. Image recognition assists their customers in carrying out the shopping process easily and allows them to post the image of the desired item they want.
3. Chatbots
Many companies use Chatbots which help them to make their customers fully satisfied with their services. Chatbots provide a passage to the customers to the company’s respective answer sources, who can provide them guidance in a better way.
4. Data Mining
With the help of data mining, companies identify their customers’ behavior and purchasing patterns, which helps them craft strategies that assist their customers.
Pros and Cons
Now, look at some of the pros and cons of structured and unstructured data to understand where to use these data and how they can work for your needs.
Pros of Structured Data
- When it comes to structured data has been in use for a long time because of its easy rows and column pattern, and many tools are used to analyze structured data.
- One of the best things about structured data is its perfect use in machine learning, and its organized manner makes it easy to manipulate the data.
- Structured data has an easy format, and it is not that difficult for users to interpret and access data. It doesn’t need a detailed understanding of various types of data functionality.
Cons of Structured Data
- The structured data is limited in terms of storage and usage. The predefined structure has an intended usage which restricts its usability.
- The limited storage options are a big lack of structured data. t is usually stored in data warehouses that have quite complex schemas.
- It requires a lot of time and effort if you want to make an advancement or a change in the structured data.
Pros of Unstructured Data
- It is stored in its native format, which makes it undefined.
- The data is highly adaptable because of a large pool of use cases.
- Unstructured data is collected easily.
- The data lake gives good storage and pricing. t helps in price cuts and provides easy scalability.
Cons of Unstructured Data
- Unstructured data requires data science experts to prepare and analyze data. The undefined nature of unstructured data restricts its usability by standard users.
- If you want to use unstructured data, you need a complete understanding of the topic of data and how you can make it work for yourself in the best way.
Which Works the Best for Your Needs?
So, the answer to this question is not easy as you can see a clear difference in the nature of both the data. f you want to make structured or unstructured data work for your need, you need to go through many parameters and a brief understanding of your purpose.
Both these data have different formatting styles and adaptability options which we have discussed above. A deep understanding of your goals is necessary before choosing the right data type.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter what you choose, structured or unstructured data; keep your data as a truthful source. e hope that now you have a better knowledge of structured and unstructured data and how to leverage them for your needs. Both data can help you organize things easily and effectively if done rightly.
