A unified approach to data modeling and management in big data era

Abstract

The emergence of big data paradigm and developments in other areas, such as cyber-infrastructures, smart cities, e-health, social media, Web 3.0, etc., has led to the production of huge volumes of data. Moreover, these data are often unstructured or semi-structured, with a high level of heterogeneity. Nowadays, information represents an essential factor in the process for supporting decisionmaking, and that is the reason that heterogeneous data must be integrated and analyzed to provide a unique view of information for many types of application. This chapter addresses the problem of modeling and integration of heterogeneous data that comes from multiple heterogeneous sources in the context of cyberinfrastructure systems and big data platforms. Furthermore, this chapter analyzes different heterogeneous data models in relation to heterogeneous sources such as the following: sensors, mobile users, web, and public open data sources (e.g., regulatory institutions). A CyberWater case study is also presented for the purposes of modeling, integration, and operation of these data in order to provide a unified approach and a unique view. The case study aims to offer support for different processes inside the CyberWater platform such as monitoring, analysis, and control of natural water resources, with the scope to preserve the water quality.