Evaluating Master Data Management Tools
After a period of vendor- (and analyst-) fueled hype, the master data management (MDM) software market has finally settled down. We now have a much clearer idea of what this technology is intended to do and, perhaps more importantly, what it is not. Our Best Practices Insight report is not intended to provide a description of MDM. Rather, it focuses on the key technical criteria that organizations should look for when evaluating an MDM tool. The aim is to provide a framework for making informed decisions. It offers insight into not only the choice of technology provider, but also the main architectural and functional differences between MDM products on the market. Matching these technical requirements to business requirements will help organizations realize the benefits of what remains a fiendishly complicated issue in enterprise data integration.
SUMMARY
Impact
Ovum view
OVUM’S EVALUATION FRAMEWORK
Key evaluation dimensions
Data model extensibility
Shift from single- to multi-domain MDM
Understanding relationships is key
Questions to ask of your MDM tool
Architectural styles
Operational
Analytical
Collaborative
MDM hub styles
Registry
Transaction
Hybrid
Choosing the right style
Registry
Transaction
Hybrid
The best choice
Questions to ask about your MDM tool
Integration and interoperability
Questions to ask about your MDM tool
Hierarchy and relationship management
When hierarchy management is important
Dual aspects of hierarchy management
Questions to ask about your MDM tool
Management and administration
Questions to ask about your MDM tool
Data governance
Key questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
GENERIC ASSESSMENT DIMENSIONS
Maturity
Generic questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
Scalability
Generic questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
Innovation
Generic questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
Enterprise fit
Generic questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
APPENDIX
Further reading
Methodology
Impact
Ovum view
OVUM’S EVALUATION FRAMEWORK
Key evaluation dimensions
Data model extensibility
Shift from single- to multi-domain MDM
Understanding relationships is key
Questions to ask of your MDM tool
Architectural styles
Operational
Analytical
Collaborative
MDM hub styles
Registry
Transaction
Hybrid
Choosing the right style
Registry
Transaction
Hybrid
The best choice
Questions to ask about your MDM tool
Integration and interoperability
Questions to ask about your MDM tool
Hierarchy and relationship management
When hierarchy management is important
Dual aspects of hierarchy management
Questions to ask about your MDM tool
Management and administration
Questions to ask about your MDM tool
Data governance
Key questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
GENERIC ASSESSMENT DIMENSIONS
Maturity
Generic questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
Scalability
Generic questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
Innovation
Generic questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
Enterprise fit
Generic questions to ask about your MDM vendor or tool
APPENDIX
Further reading
Methodology
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: MDM-specific evaluation dimensions
Table 2: Which MDM hub style is right for my organization?
Table 1: MDM-specific evaluation dimensions
Table 2: Which MDM hub style is right for my organization?