I have 2 SAP systems and I want to fix my material master, Services
Master. I want all that data to be clean, standardized, classified, enriched
and load it back to my SAP in next 6 months. What do you suggest ? Chris - one
of my key client was explaining during a “solution understanding” call.
My sales manager Tom, enthusiastically started talking about
new version of the MDM platform by ERP company, tools, technologies, product
landscape, licenses etc. After 30 minutes of sales pitch, I could see confusion
on Chris’s face clearly. He said - but I don’t want to add any new product in
my infrastructure for all this. Can you just implement MDM for me without I
adding any new software ?
Both are using MDM implementation as a keyword, but in a
completely different context. Chris wants to implement MDM as a process while
Tom was trying to sell MDM as a new software. Whats the difference ? Lot I will
say.
MDM as a product – when you sell a software license to a customer. Then
implement that software with all required configuration. And then run the data
through that software to get the specified output. Really simple process. All
you need are few consultants who know how to configure software and understand
the data issues well.
Now one size doesn’t fit all. Though software companies try
to improve and include as many scenarios as they can in the tool – its still
not perfect for all. Then data comes in all shapes and sizes. Different
objects, different relationships, language and what not. So even after
implementing software – lot of customers don’t get the optimum results. Also,
many MDM tools need a good data as a input to start with – so they continue
enforcing rules going ahead.
What is MDM as a process ? A process which includes a
different sets of tools, customization capabilities, subject matter expert and
data consultants – all this makes a MDM process. As an end to end function they
can create, setup, execute and load the data. Data extraction, profiling,
analysis, transformation, Quality checks, confirmation checks, data load. Everything executed as a package as per the requirement of customer. You don’t need to buy
any license or software. Once your consultant company setup and articulate this
model – it just runs for you. The subject matter is a key in this – as they are
typically from the industry that customer belongs – so they understand the data
well and can give you maximum output.
When to select product / Process ?
If you want this as a one time effort and then setup rules
for business groups to follow – which keep data good for next few years – then I
will suggest a process way. It’s a low cost, low maintenance and high quality
approach. The consultant you choose is key.
If you think it’s a recurring issue – every month or so and
its hard to setup data governance – go the product way.You can avail services
of consultant as a one time effort and then implement product – so to implement
all rules to make sure going ahead everything is adhered to.
Thanks
Prashant Mendki
Follow me on Twitter - @pmendki
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ReplyDeleteOne of the most common reasons some large corporations experience massive issues with MDM is growth through mergers or acquisitions. Two organizations which merge will typically create an entity with duplicate master data (since each likely had at least one master database of its own prior to the merger). Ideally, database administrators resolve this problem through deduplication of the master data as part of the merger. In practice, however, reconciling several master data systems can present difficulties because of the dependencies that existing applications have on the master databases. As a result, more often than not the two systems do not fully merge, but remain separate, with a special reconciliation process defined that ensures consistency between the data stored in the two systems. Over time, however, as further mergers and acquisitions occur, the problem multiplies, more and more master databases appear, and data-reconciliation processes become extremely complex, and consequently unmanageable and unreliable. Because of this trend, one can find organizations with 10, 15, or even as many as 100 separate, poorly integrated master databases, which can cause serious operational problems in the areas of customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, decision-support, and regulatory compliance.
Master data is the lifeblood of all applications and Collaborative has tailored its services to help its clients establish effective master data management environments at strategic and operational levels. Whether the solution requires customer, vendor, product, or hierarchical master data, Collaborative’s services, coupled with our extensive technology and industry expertise, ensure that our clients’ master data is defined, integrated, and distributed according to their specific business processes, regulatory environment, and application purpose. Collaborative’s approach to master data management facilitates a partnership between business and IT groups that is critical when creating lasting MDM solutions. Collaborative’s MDM services provide organizations with the awareness, strategy, and capabilities required to remediate underperforming master data environments, and to unlock master data’s potential as a strategic asset in today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape.
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I'm just starting to learn about product data management before I start my business and I want to know as much as possible. Before this I had no idea what all this was but now I understand it a little better. Still have a lot more to learn.
ReplyDeleteMy friend recently told me about how product data management used properly will really help my business. I'm excited to see if he's right or not. I'd really like to sell all these sea monkeys.
ReplyDelete