While MDM certainly provides quality trusted data, stopping at that achievement severely impedes the realization of MDM’s full business value, and can prevent digital business transformation.
Here we have the Data Management Journey Quadrant. Every company or organization is in a different place in their Data Management journey.
Let's look at what's different about the 10% of organizations that HAVE adopted a STRATEGIC approach to managing their data and the those that havaen't.
One the left axis is MDM Viewpoint. Companies with a broad MDM Viewpoint understand that MDM can solve a wide array of data challenges. On the bottom is Business Engagement. Companies with high Business Engagement have business stakeholders who understand data management, the value it can deliver, and are bought in.
The 10% of companies that have adopted MDM are mostly in the top right quadrant, called Strategic. Why is this, it's because they have been able to justify the traditional Massive Data Management projects, as well as, have both IT and the Business aligned on the business outcome of MDM.
At the same time, every company we meet with would like to be able to do all of these things. Everyone would like better their data quality or to improve cross system integrations.
What's stopping them?
When faced with the prospect of a Massive Data Management project, which has traditionally been the only option imposed by MDM vendors, the smart ones, have done nothing. It's been too costly, too complex, and it takes too long to get the results needed for a fast moving, fast changing business.
What does that mean for the rest of the 90%? Well, they're in a different phase on their data management journey.
(THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN RELATE TO THE ROOM WITH SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR STRATEGIC BUSINESS INITATIVE, OR PROJECT.)
Some organizations have a broad vision for data management, but limited buy in for the business. They may have a CDO, CIO or other IT executive who sees numerous opportunities for data management to help the business, but are unable to get the business to buy-in.
Other organizations have IT resources that see perhaps a single data management problem they'd like to quickly solve, but need an easy entry point so they can show some results.
Organizations in the Searching quadrant have business users who are aware of data challenges, such as a CMO who know CRM is a mess, but aren't aware of data management as a solution to their problems.
AGAIN, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNTY TO ENGAGE THE PROSPECT AND ASK WHERE THEY FEEL THEY ARE IN THEIR JOURNEY.
Now let's take a look at how Profisee helps companies on this journey.
For more detailed discussion and definitions, see “Accelerate Business Value by Using Gartner's Master Data Management Implementation Styles”, Gartner , 2018
Notes:
SOR = System of Record
No single style is ‘best’ – it depends on the use case and many other factors
The coexistence style is often the ‘nirvana’ solution but it’s rare, and mostly inadvisable to jump straight to that style without some experience and organizational maturity. That is a style that is most often achieved after some period of evolution and gradual tightening
Registry and Consolidated are ‘ANALYTIC’ styles (output is really only used for BI); Coexistence and Centralized are ‘OPERATIONAL’ styles
DV
Here is a picture of a typical enterprise. Let's look at Crete Carrier, one of their top customers.
1. Let's start with CRM. Here we find not one, but three different records for Crete Carrier. With MDM we can identify and Correct these duplicates, merging them together.
2. In our ERP, we're missing the DUNS number, and the address only has a 4 digit zip. With MDM, we can enrich this data, filling in the blank DUNS, and verifying the Address.
3. Next, in our Supply Chain system, the address is different from our ERP and incorrect. With MDM, we can Connect these systems, updating our SCM application with the new address from the ERP.
Lastly, our BI/Data Warehouse. Since we are consolidating data across applications, it's a real mess, with all versions of Creet Carrier represented.
With MDM now connecting these applications together, we can create a complete view of Crete Carrier, enabling more accurate and trusted analytics.
With MDM, we are able to Correct, Enhance, and Connect data to support information driven initiatives.
So why does this matter today? It seems obvious.