Ask OST: Why Knowledge Graphs?

A knowledge graph is composed of a graph database to store the data and a reasoning layer to interpret and manipulate the data. RDFox is an in-memory, Resource Description Framework (RDF) triple store.

RDFox stores data in triples. A triple represents three linked data pieces, i.e. subject-predicate-object, often referred to as nodes (data point i.e. subject or object) and edges (the relationship between them).

But why a knowledge graph rather than a relational database? We’ve asked the team!

Graph databases offer a more flexible approach to storing data than the traditional relational database

- Peter Crocker, CEO

Relational databases require data to be stored within a strict table structure, where columns represent attributes and rows hold a recorded value for the attributes. Ironically, the rigidity of this may result in the loss of reported relationships between stored data points.

Knowledge graphs overcome the flexibility limitations of relational databases, allowing data points to be encoded as richly connected entities.

Knowledge graphs provide more flexibility for modelling data and deliver great performance

- Nick Form, CTO

Knowledge graphs provide a more expressive data model. The ability to assign or derive meaning from information represents a technological advance.

It is natural that the industry shifts from Relational databases to Graph databases, as they unlock more potential

- Form

The size of the computer is irrelevant if the database itself limits the access or exploration of data. Graph databases allow simple and fast retrieval of information using queries. RDFox uses the standard SPARQL query language, which allows rapid data retrieval, even for heavily inter-connected data.

RDFox delivers on the performance and speed issues that other graph database solutions have struggled with, whilst providing semantic reasoning, a feature that was designed from the bottom up

- Crocker

The unique in-memory design and concepts that underpin RDFox guarantee the correctness of query results, indicating significant advances over alternative solutions. This is the result of mathematical validation and peer-reviewed research, undertaken at the University of Oxford.

RDF structures open the door for effective reasoning, which other graph database formats simply cannot compete with

- Form

The highly effective nature of graph databases for retrieving, querying and modelling data mean that the applications of such a system are superior to their relational-backed predecessor.

Graphs are going to be the next standard in databases

- Valerio Cocchi, Senior Knowledge Engineer

The ability of businesses to use the data they collect or create effectively, is currently low. In a world where data is valued so highly, if companies could unlock the full potential of their data, we would surely see some significant advances.

Why RDFox?

RDFox has the capabilities to effectively access, connect and query data, unlocking its true value. Read about how RDFox helped Festo drastically improve their configuration automation services or, find our other white papers and resources here.

If you'd like to see the power of RDFox for yourself, you can request a free trial here.

For more information on knowledge graphs and semantic reasoning engines read our article, 'The Intuitions Behind Knowledge Graphs and Reasoning'.  For further information on how RDFox could help your business, get in touch with us today.