Master Data Management
The increased utilization of standard software packages has eventually led to the establishment of viable process solutions, yet in many cases this has been achieved at the expense of master data quality.
As a result, master data are frequently gathered and stored multiple times and with inconsistent quality. Consequently, in the course of subsequent process stages, inaccurate or obsolete data may be used. Erroneous material deliveries, inappropriate credit lines and other mal-decisions bear the risk of significant business losses. A comprehensive view of a customer base and its context – a key element in finance and insurance business – is not possible. Uncoordinated production planning at multiple locations leads to costly overproduction and surplus situations.
The list of undesirable consequences is long and may be extended, as the case may be.
Although most businesses have realized the dimensions of this problem by now, they do not know how to remedy the situation or where to start. Catchwords like “clean-up,” “consolidation,” “unified maintenance procedures,” “company-wide master data bases,” etc. are making the rounds – but what exactly is the solution?
This is the point where our core expertise comes into play.
For over 15 years, we have specialized in this area and established the appropriate platforms in several major projects around the globe, which we regard as the foundation of all processes. Apart from the classic objects – “supplier,” “customer,” “material/item” – we were also able to successfully implement projects related to the objects of “person,” “assets” (e.g. trucks, containers, delivery vans, train cars, …), and “cost centers.”
The Company (project detail)
As a result of our frequent implementation of this concept, we are also able to offer our own tools and solutions in the areas of clearing, process management, workflow, etc. If you wish, we will, of course, also implement these steps using software solutions offered by ASCENTIAL or SAP® (MDM 3.0 und 5.5).
Although business solutions for master data management may be quite similar throughout a specific sector or industry, they also have to account for the particularities of each company and thus require customized solutions, at least in the area of process and workflow design. Our experience shows that the best approach is to start with a couple of workshops, which will include, for example …
- identification of problem areas,
- ranking of relevant master data objects,
- establishing the extent of redundancies and of the need to eliminate them,
- determining the company’s organization that needs to be included,
- finding points of intersection with other partners’ master data (e.g. suppliers as part of SCM, retail-side master-data pools such as SINFOS or TRANSORA, etc.)
Visualization of Master Data Management on all levels for a specific client
Our methods have proven to be successful and profitable, and they will ensure your project’s success. Put us to the test and benefit from our worldwide experience in this particular field of expertise!
You may purchase the following software solutions and tools from gicom, while we contribute others to your projects that you may continue to use after the project has been completed:
- Master-data maintenance solutions relating to material, supplier, and customer (either SAP®-based or non-SAP®-based)
- MS-Access-based cleansing tools
- Automation tool for material-related master-data maintenance (SAP®) – you will save up to 90 percent of the maintenance work on specific items in the future
- Workflows (SAP®) for the delegated and dedicated performance of master data maintenance
Process steps for Master Data Management
