What is meant by Master data catalogs?
The term "master data catalogs" refers to systematic collections of master data used in an organization to manage fundamental and unchangeable information about entities such as customers, suppliers, products, or employees. Master data catalogs form the foundation for operating software applications and business processes, as they serve as the central reference for all relevant business data.
Typical software functions in the area of "master data catalogs":
- Data Maintenance and Management: Tools for creating, editing, and managing master data within the catalog, including functions for bulk data processing.
- Data Validation: Mechanisms to ensure data quality through validation rules, guaranteeing the consistency and accuracy of the master data.
- Versioning and History: Tracking changes in the master data, including version control and history of the records.
- Permission Management: Management of access rights to ensure that only authorized personnel can view or edit master data.
- Data Integration: Interfaces for the exchange of master data with other systems such as ERP, CRM, or inventory management systems.
- Reporting and Analysis: Tools for creating reports and analyses based on the information stored in the master data catalog.
- Data Consolidation: Merging and cleaning master data from various sources to avoid duplicates and improve data quality.
Examples of "Master Data Catalogs":
- Customer Master Data: Catalog with basic information about customers, such as name, address, contact information, and customer ID.
- Product Master Data: Collection of product data, including item number, product description, price, and inventory.
- Supplier Master Data: Information about suppliers, including company name, contact persons, payment information, and delivery terms.
- Employee Master Data: Directory of employee data, such as employee ID, name, address, position, and salary information.
- Machine Master Data: Catalog with information about machines and equipment, including serial numbers, maintenance schedules, and technical specifications.