At a glance
| Metadata ingestion and connectors | Scanners for cloud storage, databases and BI tools, configured in Metadata Command Center |
| Lineage | Yes, lineage views managed through Metadata Command Center |
| Business glossary | Yes |
| Stewardship and workflows | Governance workflows and policy automation |
| Access policies | Through the related Data Access Management product |
| Classification | AI-powered data classification |
| Search and discovery | Catalog search with hierarchical browsing; Data Marketplace for sharing |
| Deployment | SaaS within IDMC; Secure Agent for private sources |
| Licensing | Proprietary; IDMC IPU consumption; quote only |
CDGC makes most sense for organisations already using, or planning to use, Informatica IDMC for integration, data quality or MDM, because it shares the platform, the IPU contract and the metadata. Bought alone it is a large, quote-priced enterprise catalog, and the Salesforce ownership is a reason to get roadmap commitments in writing.
Overview
Cloud Data Governance and Catalog is Informatica's cloud service for data and AI governance, delivered within Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC). Administrators configure scanners in the Metadata Command Center; the scanners sweep cloud storage, databases and BI tools to extract metadata, profile data, discover lineage, classify data and link glossary terms. Users then search the catalog, browse hierarchical views and see lineage in business context.
The business glossary connects technical assets to business terms, and policy automation supports compliance and responsible AI use. CDGC works with Informatica's data quality service to define rules, run checks and show health scores, and related IDMC products add data access management (de-identifying sensitive data) and a data marketplace for sharing. Informatica has been owned by Salesforce since 18 November 2025; see our IDMC profile for the wider platform.
Key features
- Metadata Command Center for configuring scanners, lineage and catalog administration
- Scanners that extract metadata, profile data, discover lineage, classify data and link glossary terms
- Business glossary linking business terms to technical assets
- AI-powered classification that maps and connects business and technical metadata
- Lineage views across systems
- Policy automation for compliance and responsible data and AI use
- Data quality rules and scorecards through Informatica's data quality service; related Data Access Management and Data Marketplace products
Integrations and ecosystem
Pros and cons
Pros
- Shares metadata, contract and IPUs with Informatica integration, data quality and MDM
- Scanners combine metadata extraction, profiling, lineage and classification
- Policy automation and access management for regulated environments
- Large enterprise vendor with broad source coverage
Cons
- No public pricing; IPU consumption has to be planned with Informatica
- Most valuable inside the wider IDMC platform rather than as a standalone catalog
- Ownership changed in November 2025, and Salesforce has published no integration timeline
Pricing
Cloud Data Governance and Catalog is a service of Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud, which is billed in Informatica Processing Units (IPUs), a consumption model shared across eligible cloud services. Informatica publishes no prices; its pricing page offers a quote. A free 30-day IDMC trial is advertised, but we found no trial terms specific to this service.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Enterprises standardised on Informatica IDMC that want governance, cataloguing, lineage and data quality on the same platform and contract.
Typical use cases
- Cataloguing data across Informatica pipelines, warehouses and BI tools
- Linking a governed business glossary to physical assets
- Tracing lineage for regulatory reporting and change impact
- Classifying sensitive data and automating governance policies
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams that want a lightweight catalog for one warehouse: see Secoda or Atlan.
- Microsoft-centred estates that may prefer Microsoft Purview.
Verdict
CDGC is a full enterprise governance catalog whose main advantage is being part of IDMC, so it fits best where Informatica already runs integration and data quality. As a standalone purchase it competes with Collibra and Alation on a consumption contract that needs careful planning, and the Salesforce ownership calls for written roadmap assurances.
Frequently asked questions
Is CDGC part of Informatica IDMC?
Yes. Cloud Data Governance and Catalog is a service of Intelligent Data Management Cloud and is billed with IDMC Informatica Processing Units (IPUs).
Is Informatica owned by Salesforce?
Yes. Salesforce announced the deal on 27 May 2025 and completed it on 18 November 2025. Informatica products, including CDGC, continue to be sold.
What is the Metadata Command Center?
The administrative part of CDGC, where data architects configure scanners and lineage. CDGC itself is the catalog that business and technical users search.
How does CDGC compare with Microsoft Purview?
Both are enterprise governance catalogs. CDGC is strongest inside Informatica IDMC and is priced in IPUs by quote; Purview is Microsoft's governance service, closest to Azure and Microsoft 365 estates.
Sources
- Informatica Cloud Data Governance and Catalog
- Informatica Cloud Data Integration pricing (IPUs)
- Salesforce Trailhead: Informatica Cloud Data Governance and Catalog basics
- Salesforce signs definitive agreement to acquire Informatica (27 May 2025)
- Salesforce completes acquisition of Informatica (18 November 2025)
Checked November 2026.
Listed in: Data Catalog & Governance.
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