Master Data Management (MDM) is the technology-enabled discipline, tools, and processes that ensure master data is coordinated across the enterprise. It guarantees the consistency, veracity, stewardship, and semantic consistency of data for the company as a whole as well as for business partners.
MDM includes both creating and maintaining master data. It is a tool and process to keep the master data clean and consistent as it gets updated and expands over time.
Depending on the technology used, MDM may cover a single domain or multiple domains.
A uniform data stewardship experience, a small technical footprint, the flexibility to share reference data across domains, a cheaper total cost of ownership, and a stronger return on investment are all advantages of MDM.