Gartner® Report: How Data Leaders Can Complement Fabric and Mesh Approaches
End the fabric vs. mesh debate — Learn why combining both unlocks faster, more governed, AI-ready data.
Stop Debating Fabric vs. Mesh: Combine Them for Real Results
For years, data leaders have been stuck in the “fabric vs. mesh” debate. But the real opportunity isn’t choosing between them — it’s using both together. In our opinion, this research explains how to unify data fabric’s automation and metadata intelligence with data mesh’s federated delivery and domain ownership to unlock the full value of your data architecture.
By taking a complementary approach, organizations can improve governance maturity, accelerate self-service, and deliver trusted data products that actually drive business value — especially in support of AI.
What we think you’ll learn:
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Why fabric and mesh are not competing models — and how they solve different parts of the same problem
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How to enhance metadata and governance maturity by combining active metadata with federated accountability
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What a balanced architecture looks like, with practical guidance, real-world examples, and next steps for data leaders
Gartner, How Data Leaders Can Complement Fabric and Mesh Approaches, By Robert Thanaraj, Ehtisham Zaidi, Mark Beyer, Michele Launi, 29 January 2025.
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