SAP NetWeaver Master Data Management (SAP NW MDM) is a component of

SAP Sap is a fluid transported in xylem cells (vessel elements or tracheids) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. These cells transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. Sap is distinct from latex, resin, or cell sap; it is a separa ...

NetWeaver SAP NetWeaver is a software stack for many of SAP SE's applications. The SAP NetWeaver Application Server, sometimes referred to as WebAS, is the runtime environment for the SAP applications and all of the mySAP Business Suite runs on SAP WebAS: s ...

product group and is used as a platform to consolidate, cleanse and synchronise a

single version of the truth In computerized business management, single version of the truth (SVOT), is a technical concept describing the data warehousing ideal of having either a single centralised database, or at least a distributed synchronised database, which stores all ...

for master data within a heterogeneous application landscape. It has the ability to distribute internally and externally to SAP and non-SAP applications. SAP MDM is a key enabler of SAP

Service-Oriented Architecture In software engineering, service-oriented architecture (SOA) is an architectural style that focuses on discrete services instead of a monolithic design. By consequence, it is also applied in the field of software design where services are provide ...

. Standard system architecture would consist of a single central MDM server connected to client systems through SAP

Exchange Infrastructure SAP NetWeaver Process Integration (SAP PI) is SAP's enterprise application integration (EAI) software, a component of the NetWeaver product group used to facilitate the exchange of information among a company's internal software and systems and th ...

using

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documents, although connectivity without SAP XI can also be achieved. There are five standard implementation scenarios: # Content Consolidation - centralised cleansing, de-duplication and consolidation, enabling key mapping and consolidated group reporting in SAP BI. No re-distribution of cleansed data. # Master Data Harmonisation - as for Content Consolidation, plus re-distribution of cleansed, consolidated master data. # Central

Master data management Master data management (MDM) is a technology-enabled discipline in which business and information technology work together to ensure the uniformity, accuracy, stewardship, semantic consistency and accountability of the enterprise's official shared ...

- as for Master Data Harmonisation, but all master data is maintained in the central MDM system. No maintenance of master data occurs in the connected client systems. # Rich Product Content Management - Catalogue management and publishing. Uses elements of Content Consolidation to centrally store rich content (images, PDF files, video, sound etc.) together with standard content in order to produce product catalogues (web or print). Has standard adapters to export content to

Desktop Publishing Desktop publishing (DTP) is the creation of documents using page layout software on a personal ("desktop") computer. It was first used almost exclusively for print publications, but now it also assists in the creation of various forms of online c ...

packages. # Global Data Synchronization - provides consistent trade item information exchange with retailers through data hubs (e.g. 1SYNC) Some features (for example, workflow) require custom development out of the box to provide screens for end users to use.

History

SAP is currently on its second iteration of MDM software. Facing limited adoption of its initial release, SAP changed direction and in 2004 purchased a small vendor in the PIM space called A2i. This code has become the basis for the currently shipping SAP MDM 5.5, and as such, most analysts consider SAP MDM to be more of a PIM than a general MDM product at this time. SAP NetWeaver MDM 7.1 was released in ramp-up shipment in November 2008 and unrestricted shipment in May 2009. This new version has an enhanced MDM technology foundation to build pre-packaged business scenarios and integration.

Recognition

Two of the top three finalists of th
Gartner MDM Excellence Awards 2009
were SAP NetWeaver MDM customers: Kraft Foods and BP ranked 1st and 2nd by a team of

Gartner Gartner, Inc is a technological research and consulting firm based in Stamford, Connecticut that conducts research on technology and shares this research both through private consulting as well as executive programs and conferences. Its clients ...

analysts, based on their successful implementations of very complex MDM projects.

References

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SAP NetWeaver Master Data Management 7.1 Help

External links

SAP NetWeaver MDM
discussions, blogs, documents and videos on th
SAP Community Network (SCN)

SAP MDM Page

SAP acquires A2i to boost data management capabilities

Master Data Management Master data management (MDM) is a technology-enabled discipline in which business and information technology work together to ensure the uniformity, accuracy, stewardship, semantic consistency and accountability of the enterprise's official shared ...