Data is the ultimate asset in today’s world. Data is the raw facts and statistics collected during any operation.

Types of Data?

Structured:

Data is categorized as structured or semi-structured or unstructured with respect to relational databases. If data can be stored in a relational table then data is in the structured form.

Semi-structured:

Data that doesn’t reside in a relational database but that does have some organizational properties that make it easier to analyze. With some process you can store them in relation database (it could be very hard for somme kind of semi structured data), but the semi structure exist to ease space, clarity or compute. Examples of semi-structured : CSV but XML and JSON documents are semi structured documents, NoSQL databases are considered as semi structured.

Unstructured:

Unstructured data is everywhere. In fact, most individuals and organizations conduct their lives around unstructured data. It often include text and multimedia content. Examples include e-mail messages, word processing documents, videos, photos, audio files, presentations, webpages and many other kinds of business documents.

Time-stamped data:

Timestamping is a technique for representing multiple versions of the same source data within one database. Read more https://docs.oracle.com/health-sciences/empirica-signal-811/ESIUG/Timestamped_Data.htm
Machine data: Machine data is automatically generated by programmable things, like factory machinery, smart cars, smart city systems, IoT devices, IT infrastructure, and the smartphones we carry.
There are boundless opportunities to put machine data to work. It can be collected and analyzed to reveal fraud, improve customer service, or raise manufacturing productivity. Read more https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/machine-data

Real time data:

Data that is delivered immediately after collection. There is no delay in the timeliness of the information provided. Real-time data is often used for navigation or tracking.[1] Such data is usually processed using real-time computing although it can also be stored for later or off-line data analysis. Read more https://www.techopedia.com/definition/31256/real-time-data

Big data:

Big Data is a term used to describe a collection of data that is huge in size and yet growing exponentially with time. Big data is data that contains greater variety arriving in increasing volumes and with ever-higher velocity. This is known as the three V’s. Read more https://searchdatamanagement.techtarget.com/definition/big-data

Why is it important

For any business, just having the data isn’t always enough. The data collected needs to be relevant to the organization’s goals. It should indisputably report all pertinent information – positive or negative.
Then, the metrics collected need to actionable. When reporting insights, your team should be prepared to answer the questions, “Why does that matter?” and “What are we going to do with that information?”.
Read more https://www.grow.com/blog/data-important-business

You can read below article from Forbes on The 13 Types Of Data.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adrianbridgwater/2018/07/05/the-13-types-of-data/#1c4b09733362

Please share your thoughts on the comment section.