Master Data Management

Master data management refers to the central management of master data or reference data (english master data ) to ensure system-and application-independent consistency.

Introduction

Master data is often kept, especially in larger companies in different databases redundant. This usually leads to the fact that the necessary data adjustment is time-and cost -consuming. With master data management master data should be centrally maintained and cared for and promptly distributed to the connected systems.

The concept of master data management is sometimes used synonymously with Master Data Management ( MDM). Products for master data management from different manufacturers also bear the name of the MDM.

Definition

Master Data Management consists of a set of processes, policies, services and technologies that are used to create operational data, to maintain, to unify and manage, which are connected to the core operations of a company. An MDM system represents a cross- instance of the master data management, creating a central operational reference database (System of Record ). It includes all master data objects of a company such as customers, suppliers, employees, etc. In this case, the master data management does not relate to opera -tive transaction data, which arise in the context of running business processes such as purchase orders.

Usage Scenarios

It will be here usually three scenarios distinguished, which are the common thread in the introduction of a master data management with a central repository at the same time.

Master data consolidation and master data harmonization

In the master data consolidation, master data of a so-called Business Objects can be connected ( eg suppliers) to the central erected Stammdatenrepository adjusted there to duplicate and if necessary supplemented by information (eg, DUNS number and EAN ). The combination of the same master data objects with possibly different identification is called harmonization. Business case for master data consolidation, for example, set up a globally uniform reporting across different systems.

Local master data maintenance

The master data attributes in the different systems are kept consistent on a master data server. The system of master data and their care will continue to be transmitted in the master data application systems. If necessary, global ( company wide ) valid master data attributes are maintained on the master data server centrally held.

Central master data maintenance

In the central master data maintenance process of master data creation and maintenance of the master data server starts. From here the distribution is made to the data management systems of this master data -using applications.