Microsoft Master Data Services (MDS) is an SQL server solution for master data. MDS enables users to organize and manage a business's master set of data into models while also creating rules for updating the data and control over who can edit it. In addition, the master dataset can be shared with other people in your organization through Excel.
In Master Data Services, you create a model, which is the highest level container in the structure of your master data. This model can then be used to group similar data. Within the model, there can be one or more entities that are similar to a table. Those entities contain members that are the data records. For example, your model can include commodities such as style, color, and product if you manage online product data. The color entity may contain members for various colors. Models may also have attributes that contain values that describe entity members and can be defined within the entities.
There are also attributes that contain values that help describe entities within entity members. There are two different types of attributes:
- Free-form attributes - include numbers, dates, text, or files.
- Domain-based attributes - includes values that can be used as attribute values for other entities.
Features of Microsoft MDS
Microsoft MDS offers a variety of features that provide a central management of master data, while accommodating access to editors and other consumers of the information. These features include:
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Data Validation: With a proactive monitoring process in Business Rules, users can ensure data validity before the lists are used.
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Domain Agnostic: Any data type or data schema can be supported by the MDS system.
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Security: Without risking unauthorized changes, IT teams are empowered to control access at the attribute, entity, and record levels.
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Web-based UI: There is no need to install software, as the web-based user interface gives access to a vast user base.
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Versioning: Each model in MDS can be versioned, allowing for users to tab particular versions for subscribing systems.
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Hierarchy Management: MDS offers functional and versatile management of business hierarchies with various hierarchy types and specialized controls.
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Transaction Logging: MDS offers a transaction log to keep track of changes, as well as the ability to explain why changes were made.
Reviews from Real Users
For those managing large quantities of master data, Microsoft MDS is a solution of choice for a number of reasons. Two of those are its ability to empower everyone to interact with the BI system as well as its integration with Azure active directory.
Satyam S., a senior software developer at a manufacturing company, notes, "Enables non-technical people to directly interact with the BI system."
An individual contributor at a pharma/biotech company writes, "One of the main features I have found useful is the integration with Azure active directory."
