Master Data Management and Master Data Liquidity

Improving
Master Data Liquidity
with
Riversand MDMCenterTM
Version 6.0
A Riversand Technologies Whitepaper

Improving Master Data Liquidity with MDMCenter Version 6.0
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work of Riversand Technologies, Inc and is owned by Riversand Technologies, Inc.
TRADEMARKS
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trademarks of Riversand Technologies, Inc. Other brands and product names mentioned in this guide are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners and hereby acknowledged.
COMPANY INFORMATION
For more information on Riversand Technologies, Inc., visit www.Riversand.com
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Table of Contents
1. DEFINING MASTER DATA LIQUIDITY ..................................................................................... 4
2. THE BENEFITS OF MASTER DATA LIQUIDITY....................................................................... 6
3. MDMCENTER™ V6.0 & MASTER DATA LIQUIDITY ................................................................ 8
4. QUANTIFYING THE VALUE OF MASTER DATA LIQUIDITY ................................................. 26
5. CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS ....................................................................................... 27
6. APPENDIX: RIVERSAND REFERENCES ............................................................................... 28

1. Defining Master Data Liquidity

In today’s information-driven business environment, effective data management is a corporate
imperative. Understanding comprehensive data about various corporate entities such as
customers, products, vendors, employees, etc. is critical to
business success. Unfortunately, many companies struggle to Unfortunately, many
manage and monetize all of their data assets. Companies
companies struggle to
manage and monetize all of
continually fail to realize data-driven strategic insights and
their data assets.
operational efficiencies. These companies are forfeiting
significant business benefits. And they will be at a competitive disadvantage against more
sophisticated competitors.
Often the problem lies with the systems, processes and personnel involved in managing and
maintaining corporate data. Separate systems, organizations and processes create separate
“pools” of data – for instance a spreadsheet sitting unshared on a user’s desktop. Furthermore,
data can be held in huge reservoirs, locked away in vast databases which are inaccessible to
business users or systems that need it. As a result, critical business data does not flow
throughout the organization. Organizations need to eliminate these pools of data.
To be sure, the continuity of complete data throughout the supply chain is critically important.
The ability to manage the flow of rich, accurate and high-quality
Much like the flow of water, data is called “Data Liquidity”. Much like the flow of water, data
data liquidity is a liquidity is a measurement of the ease in which data flows
measurement of the ease in
throughout an organization. Taken in its broadest
which data flows throughout
an organization. interpretation, it can describe the characteristics of the flow of
data as well – for instance, is it of high-quality, accurate,
normalized, complete, timely, and relevant? Finally, from a more financial perspective, data
liquidity can describe how well data assets are being turned into top and bottom line business
benefits. These concepts are not new - the data liquidity concept has been used in Data
Management since 2003. However, data liquidity has taken on new importance in the
burgeoning field of Master Data Management (MDM).
The management of master data involves the practice of acquiring, improving, maintaining and
sharing a “single version of the truth” for various corporate data entities such as Products,
Customers, Vendors, Employees, Materials, etc. Having a holistic record of multiple corporate
entities populated with high-quality data ensures subscribing systems and stakeholders have

consistent and correct information. The application of Master Data throughout an organization
has been proven to significantly improve business results across a variety of industries. It can
be a single use case solution or a major global initiative positively affecting almost every area of
a business.
Unfortunately, many companies do not fully understand

Master Data Liquidity is
MDM’s potential ability to improve their business. Nor do most primarily achieved by
achieve master data liquidity – the free flow of master data deploying a Master Data
throughout a company. Master Data Liquidity is primarily Management Solution that
achieved by deploying a Master Data Management Solution can automate the
management and
that can automate the management and distribution of master
distribution of master data.
data. In order to realize the promises of MDM and Master
Data Liquidity, an MDM system must be robust, fully-
integrated and flexible in order to address all organizational data, systems, people and
processes.
This Riversand Technologies whitepaper will further discuss the concept of Master Data
Liquidity, its benefits and how it may be achieved through Master Data Management Solutions
such as Riversand’s industry-leading MDM Solution, MDMCenter Version 6.0.
The Three Aspects of Master Data Liquidity
1) Master Data Flow
2) Quality of Master Data
3) Financial Return on Master Data

2. The Benefits of Master Data Liquidity

Imagine if each of your employees could have the right information, at the right time, in the
right format, language, unit of measure, etc. This ideal is achievable today by increasing
Master Data Liquidity. Companies who have implemented advanced MDM Solutions as part
of an overall Data Governance and MDM initiative have been able to achieve a higher level of
Master Data Liquidity (see Section 6 - Appendix: Riversand References). An integrated MDM
Solution works in harmony to ensure master records of high-quality data automatically or
manually flow to downstream systems or other stakeholders in an organization’s global supply
chain (including vendors and customers). This orchestration drastically increases operational
efficiencies and opportunities for a broad set of business benefits. Below is a list of just some
of the benefits that companies deploying MDM Solutions have realized:
Benefits of MDM and Master Data Liquidity

It should be clear to all that users need a system which transverses pools of data and provides
a robust set of functionality and tools to manage and syndicate master data where and when
it is needed. An example of such a powerful MDM Solution is MDMCenter™ from Riversand
Technologies.
To achieve master data liquidity in large, complex global organizations, MDMCenter™ offers
advanced, integrated capabilities in the areas of:
 Data Visibility
 Data Management and Editing
 Catalog/Taxonomy Management with Data Inheritance
 Entity Relationship Management
 Customized Data Views and Security/Access Rights
 Data Globalization
 Data Enrichment and Refinement
 Data Aggregation/Syndication
 Data Quality
 Data Governance
 Workflow/Business Process Management
 Data Publishing
 Digital Asset Management
The following sections will discuss Riversand’s MDMCenter’s capabilities, associated benefits
and how master data liquidity is enabled.

3. MDMCenter™ V6.0 & Master Data Liquidity

Riversand’s flagship MDM product, Riversand MDMCenter™, is built on a functionally-rich,
extensible MDM platform and allows the modeling and management of multiple corporate
entities including Products, Vendors, Customers, Employees, etc. Among other benefits, the
Solution is designed to help companies improve Master Data Liquidity. The sections below
outline the Solutions features and benefits and how they improve Master Data Liquidity.
3.1. Data Visibility

3.1.1. Consolidated, Web-based User Dashboard
MDMCenter includes an intuitive web-based User Dashboard which facilitates user access to all
data, tasks, application modules and functionality. Efficient access to corporate master data
ensures the right data is being used by an organization throughout its supply chain.
MDMCenter’s Dashboard provides a single interface and easy one-click access to Tasks, Reports,
Application Modules, Data, Search queries, “Quicklinks”, Documents, Productivity Tools and
more. The task list provides users with a view of each task awaiting his/her attention with a global
view of the workflow that routed the task to their Dashboard. This ensures that data – and
business processes – flow smoothly throughout the organization. Here is an example of
MDMCenter’s User Dashboard:
Easy one-click access to

Tasks, Reports,
Application Modules,
Data, Search Queries,
“Quicklinks”,
Documents, Productivity
Tools and more from the
User Dashboard

3.1.2. Entity Explorer

Within MDMCenter, an entity can be any corporate data asset – products, customers, vendors,
employees, etc. MDMCenter’s Entity Explorer gives users the ability to navigate to, search on,
and filter out any entity defined within the system, as well as perform necessary actions on
discovered entities. This improves overall data quality and data visibility.
The Entity Explorer consists of three main sections - main search criteria, stage criteria and
category criteria - to fulfill its Search functionality. MDMCenter will combine all three criteria into
a complex query to find the appropriate search results.
MDMCenter’s Entity Explorer page looks like following:
Stage and Category criteria

Main Search criteria Result Grid

This single search interface represents a powerful tool to search through an organization’s entire
repository of master data to find the right record. This improves internal efficiency, data access
and data quality (due to reduced duplicate record generation). The Entity Explorer is another way
MDMCenter manages to ensure the proper flow of quality data throughout an organization.
3.1.3. Entity Editor

An entity has associated data like the category it belongs to, the container/catalog to which it is
mapped, the various attributes that comprise the entity etc. Within MDMCenter, the user has
many mechanisms to fetch these critical details. Furthermore, the Entity Editor gives the user the
capability to populate details that are missing in an Entity. In other words, users can perform tasks
to ensure a particular entity is complete and understand any remaining gaps.
The Entity Editor allows users to create and modify entities, attributes, and relationships; view
catalog or container information connected with an Entity. It also allows user to edit multiple
entities. User can see the status of an entity (for instance, “staged” or “production”) and it allows
them to navigate to the screens to complete record editing. The Entity Editor thereby provides a
single interface to ensure Entity completion.
Entity Editor features include:
 Create a short-cut to your frequently accessed attributes

 Create attribute-based views attributes of an entity in a single window
 View the containers impacted by the modification of an entity
 Assign entities from parent catalog or container to the sub container or slave containers
 View the SKU details for a particular entity
 View attribute based on their groups
The Entity Editor has a host of options to edit the entity values. You can view the details of the
complex attributes, view the taxonomy and category details and view the version details about
the entity being edited. An example of the Entity Editor is provided below:

Containers
Entity Pane
Editor
My Views
Pane
State Views
Pane
Standard
Views Pane
Entity
Variants Pane
3.1.4. Data Views

MDMCenter provides the capability to define, manage and use multiple views into and
organization’s data. For instance, data can be defined and presented by category, sales region or
industry vertical (to name just a few).
Different Views for Product, Vendor, Partner, Customer and

other data types can be presented to users in a variety of
ways. Some of the key view types available are: Hierarchy
View, Dynamic Hierarchy View (DHV), Table View, Dynamic
Table View (DTV)

3.2. Enterprise Systems Integration

To ensure Data Liquidity, MDM Solutions need to be easily integrated into a client’s enterprise
architecture. Riversand MDMCenter provides a unique Plug and Play Formatter concept allows
for easy creation and use of data formatters to syndicate and provide data in formats required by
external systems. For example, Riversand’s SAP formatter is used currently at one of our
customers to provide data in an XML format that is required by SAP. MDMCenter is currently
using this methodology to integrate with SAP for a customer with over 1 million items in the
database. Other Formatters have been developed for ERP systems, BI tools, CRM packages and
Print Publishing applications.
Once a system is integrated using MDMCenter Formatters, MDMCenter provides user interfaces
to aggregate and syndicate data to subscribing systems. These easy-to-use interfaces facilitates
the flow of data to enterprise systems. Both the Data Aggregation and Data Syndication modules
include the concept of “Integration Profiles” which define the data, delta, filters, triggers, and file
format of each point of integration. Subscribing systems can have multiple profiles defined
depending on the use case and data requirements. Along with our delta based synchronization
and configurable delivery and request methods (file system, messaging queues, web services), the
advanced syndication modules and profiles allow for easy integration with external systems and a
higher level of Master Data Liquidity.
3.2.1. Data Aggregation

MDMCenter’s Aggregation module enables clients to load entity information from
external/internal systems such as ERP, PDM and CRM. These imports could be either for one-time
data conversions or to manage ongoing near real-time data exchange interfaces to ensure Master
Data Liquidity. Key features include:
 Aggregation capabilities for any data entity type
 Aggregation capabilities for metadata such as Classifications and Taxonomy Attribute

Mappings
 Delta functionality at an attribute level allows for incremental updates

 Support for multiple standards & protocols (XML, Excel, text files, DB sources)
 Scheduled or manual import capabilities
 Support for file-based, Native API or Web Services based integration
 Data Quality validation rules and data staging capabilities
 Integration with MDMCenter’s Data Quality Management module (see below) for further
quality processes
3.2.2. Data Syndication

Like the Aggregation module, MDMCenter’s Syndication module allows automatic syndication
“profiles” to be set up to filter and publish entity information to downstream systems like web
content management, e-commerce applications, portals, CRM systems and customer e-
procurement systems. This module is one of the key capabilities of MDMCenter enabling Data
Liquidity. Like the Data Aggregation module, these exports can be either for one-time data
conversions or to manage ongoing near real-time data exchange interfaces to ensure on-going
Master Data Liquidity. Key features include:
 Ability to extract content from MDMCenter in any required format (XML, Excel, Text files,
Word and PDF)
 Out-of-the-box for industry standards formats
 Ability to filter data based on organizations,

catalogs, categories, items and attributes
 Unlimited syndication templates
 Delta update capability with the ability to

track every change published to every channel
 Ability to track every change published to every channel at the attribute level

3.3. Advanced Workflow Management

Riversand has recognized and met the need of organizations to collaborate across a global supply
chain to implement business, data governance and master data management processes.
Riversand’s Advanced Workflow module transforms people intensive, high cost operations into
highly flexible automated processes that can be benchmarked
and easily optimized. Riversand’s Advanced Workflow
module has delivered breakthrough improvements in
workforce productivity, data quality, management control and
Master Data Liquidity. Some of the key benefits of
Riversand’s Advanced Workflow module are:
 Improved processes for greater efficiency
 Advanced Workflow allows you to rapidly create an automated BPM environment and
realize efficiencies from optimized processes.
 Keener competitive edge
 Advanced Workflow provides a reliable, scalable and flexible process management platform
that allows you to build and sustain your competitive edge.
 Higher productivity
 Fully integrated workflow for Riversand MDM

Solutions. Advanced Workflow automates routine
tasks, eliminates redundancies and helps your
employees perform their tasks better.
 Lower costs
 Advanced Workflow not only reduces process cycle

times but also lowers the cost of completion of each
activity in a process.
 Effective collaboration and communication

 Advanced Workflow facilitates collaboration and communication within the enterprise and
with business partners.
 Better resource utilization
 Human Workflow Services features in Advanced Workflow enable you to optimize task
allocation and resource utilization.
 Uninterrupted operations
 Advanced Workflow provides your resources anytime, anywhere access to business

processes, documents and other artifacts to ensure uninterrupted operations.
 Increased ROI from technology investments
 Advanced Workflow allows you to derive greater returns from your existing investments in
technology.
 Greater accountability and traceability
 Advanced Workflow immediately brings transparency, traceability and accountability to

business processes.
3.4. Data Modelling

Riversand’s Data Modelling capabilities are unmatched in the industry. The flexibility and
extensibility of Riversand’s underlying data model represent one of our Solution’s main
competitive advantages. Data modelling is supported by sophisticated capabilities that help

manage complex data models. Complex attributes, flexible attribute definition, multiple types of
data inheritance, relationships and multi-data domain support make up some of MDMCenter’s
advanced data modelling functionality. To maximize benefits and support multiple use cases of
Master Data Liquidity, it is imperative that an MDM Solution model any corporate information.
MDMCenter’s sophisticated data modelling capability ensures that all corporate data can be
modelled and managed within the system.
3.4.1. Attribute Management

MDMCenter has a global Attribute Master that serves as the data dictionary to map and reuse
common attributes across taxonomies, organization and catalogs. Key features include:
 Ability to create data and system level attributes. Data attributes

are associated with an entity and stores entity level information.
System attributes are attributes that are associated with Objects or
Entities such as Taxonomies, Catalogs, and Organizations etc. For
example, GLN can be modeled as a system level attribute against
the Organization object.
 Data attributes are of 2 types: Common Attributes and Category specific attributes.
Common Attributes are attributes that are common across all products, i.e., these are
category independent attributes. For example, Product Description, Price etc.
 Define properties for attributes to enable Auto-Display, Auto-Validation & context-sensitive

Help
 Ability to define data types and detailed constraints
 Ability to create attribute groups, complex attributes and collections.
The following screenshots illustrate the Riversand Attribute Master interface with Customer Data
examples:

3.4.2. Taxonomy Management

Taxonomies Management enables enterprises to create data models that can serve as product
templates for content authoring and exchanging. Multiple taxonomy management helps
companies quickly develop data models across their organization. Key features include:
 Classify products into hierarchies and categories.
 Create 'many-to-many’ relationships between suppliers, internal business units and

customers
 Create multiple taxonomies to meet each individual business unit requirements
 Out-of-the-box support for industry standard taxonomies
Custom taxonomies can be created using a simple user

interface. The user interface enables creation of categories,
sub-categories and category attribute mappings. Attributes
can be customized at the category level. Similar categories can
be easily created using a copy/paste capability. In addition, an
attribute can be mapped to multiple categories. The
screenshot above right illustrates the taxonomy management module.
3.4.3. Catalog Management

MDMCenter’s Catalog Management module enables users to introduce new items and update
item attributes into multiple catalogs. Key features include:
 Group products by region, product line or customer using multi-classification

 Associate attributes to items as well as categories
 Support product relationships such as Cross-sell, Up-sell, Bill-of-Material, and others
 Search using keyword, parametric search, Boolean and product comparisons
 Multi-language support for product content for global markets
 Re-use product attribute values across catalogs and languages using data inheritance
3.4.4. Organization Management

Organization Management module enables an enterprise to model its multiple internal divisions
and external trading partners. Key features include:
 Create Organizations to logically separate data and activities
 Model internal business units such as Research & Development Product Management,
Marketing, Sales Channels etc.
 Model trading partners such as Suppliers, OEM Manufacturers, Distributors and Customers
 Enables internal collaboration on Product Information Management through sharing and re-
use of product information across business units.
3.4.5. Relationships/BOM Management

MDMCenter allows organizations to define almost any relationship
between data entities. This capability is very powerful in defining
and managing such concepts as families, substitute products, cross-
sells/up-sells, spares, kits, Bills of Material (BOMs), etc.
One aspect of Riversand’s relationship modelling capability is that

the relationship itself can have attributes defined. For instance,
prices for a product can differ if that product is being packaged as a
set or the quantity of a product can be defined for a kit.

Riversand’s ability to model BOMs is very sophisticated. Nested BOMs can be shown graphically
within the MDMCenter interface and subassemblies can be exploded graphically. Furthermore,
users can view images of an assembly and then click on subassemblies to drill down into the parts.
3.5. Data Quality Management (DQM)

A key differentiator for MDMCenter is its integrated Data Quality Management (DQM) module
which offers data cleansing, normalization, enrichment, classification, data review and quality
checking capabilities. The DQM module ensures that data flowing in and out of MDMCenter is
accurate, normalized, complete and of high-quality. DQM capability is pervasive throughout the
MDMCenter Solution, helping user migrate and maintain clean data.
The DQM module allows for one or

many administrator roles to assign
and manage work across a team of
users, including Riversand’s Data
Quality Solutions Content Experts (or
other 3rd party stakeholders).
MDMCenter’s Data Quality
Management module automates and
streamlines workflow processes to
substantially decrease the effort and time involved to review, approve and stage content in a
format simple for publishing to Master Catalogs or enterprise systems. Riversand clients are able
to quickly and easily implement their Data Governance strategies using this module as part of
their overall MDM strategy.
The MDMCenter Data Quality Management module enables automated data cleansing, content
review and quality checking. Riversand’s tool allows for one or many administrator roles to assign
and manage work across a team of users. The power of MDMCenter’s Data Quality Management
module automates and streamlines workflow processes to substantially decrease the effort and
time involved in implementing Governance policies throughout an organization. The product
integrates seamlessly into the MDMCenter interface to enables effective review, approval and

staging of content in a format simple for syndication to Riversand’s data master repository or
other enterprise systems.
In addition to our technology, Riversand provides a comprehensive range of Data Quality Services
that encompasses the content creation process. Riversand has experienced resources to augment
customer teams to support this process. Our teams consist of domain experts in a number areas
such as Content Analysts, Classification Experts, Compliance Specialists, Quality Analysts, and
Chemicals Domain Experts. These resources are either onshore or offshore to ensure a cost
effective, efficient team for our clients. In addition to Riversand’s Content services, Riversand has
extensive experience integrating its Solutions with additional 3rd party content providers for data
enrichment.
Riversand’s DQM module’s capabilities include the following:
 Multiple Taxonomy/Schema Definition and Management
 Classification
 Attribute Extraction and population to schema
 Data Enrichment
 Normalization
 Description Auto-generation
 Duplicate Identification & Advanced Matching
 Data Staging
 Organization modeling and Workflow Management
3.6. Security and Data Access

To ensure that the flow of data within an organization is appropriate and controlled, MDMCenter
uses a complex security model that controls access down to the attribute level. Users are
associated to roles and security can be specified at the role or user level for granular control.

Access is granted based on the Organization(s) that the user/role belongs to and they can access
only the data that belongs to their organizations. The security
model in incorporated into the workflow process allowing for
controlled access to specific data in different stages of the
workflow. The security model can be integrated with 3rd
party systems including Microosft Active Domain.
3.7. Data Globalization

MDMCenter also allows for the global flow of corporate data. For both data and GUI,
MDMCenter supports most major languages and even
differentiates among dialects (for instance, Brazilian
Portuguese versus native Portuguese or Canadian
French versus native French) and is able to work with
Unicode character set. Administrators set GUI and data
locales for individual users via a one-click process on the user profile.
3.8. Reporting and Data Measurement capabilities

To measure the flow of data within an organization, Riversand’s MDMCenter includes
comprehensive reporting capability on data management and data quality metrics. Companies
can use pre-built reports such as Change Reports, Monthly Update Frequency, New Item
Introductions, Items by Type, Attributes, Users, User Activity, Item Status, Error Reporting, Data
Richness, Productivity, Workflows In-Progress, Workflow Status, etc. In addition to pre-built
reports, ad hoc reports can be developed and configured to meet the specific needs of each
customer.

In addition to the systems own reports, data can be exported to BI systems for inclusion in
company-wide reports.
3.9. Dynamic Publishing Module (Optional)

Riversand offers an integarted Dynamic Publishing module. The solution is OEMed from
InBetween, a world leader in dynamic publishing solutions. Integrated dynamic publishing will
enable clients to more quickly and efficiently develop catalogs, market/customer specific catalogs,
price sheets, sales flyers, inserts, web pages and other sales collateral. MDMCenter’s dynamic
publishing module will enable more up-to-date information to be delivered later in the publishing
process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
MDMCenter‘s dynamic publishing module includes the following capabilitities:
 Fully automated, rule-based setting of documents or manual placement with manual page-
makeup
 Possibility to mix datasources into one page layout
 Unique and powerful graphical user-interface
 Data definition
 WYSIWYG template editing
 Visual master page editing
 Page planning and page redaction
 Remote control of DTP-programs
 More than DTP: growing and moving of frames, dynamic tables, rules & conditions

 A server based publishing application with SOAP API, complete Integration into publication
processes and 3rd party tools for preview and publication
MDMCenter’s publishing solution enables output of product infomation and templates to a

number of 3rd party publishing solutions (Quark Xpress, Adobe InDesign) and file formats (HTML,
.pdf, Word and Powerpoint). Please see below for some sample files generated with
MDMCenter’s Publishing module:
Dynamic Publishing Module Output Samples
Sample Output: Adobe InDesign Sample Output: Quark Express
Sample Output: HTML Sample Output: .pdf

3.10. Digital Asset Management (Optional)

MDMCenter Version 6.0 includes a new optional add-on module which provides the ability to
access related documents and other digital assets (such as images, drawings and multimedia files)
associated with an entity directly from the MDMCenter record. This capability provides users
with the ability to link to associated Sales, Marketing, Engineering and Service information quickly
and easily.
The DAM module stores or points to various types of unstructured content including but not
limited to Word/PDF Documents, Images, Drawings, Flyers, Spreadsheets etc. Content stored in
the DAM system can be tagged and indexed in various different ways.
The DAM module provides context aware

presentation of any additional digital content (Only
Content related to the selected Entity will be
presented to user). When an entity is viewed, the
application generates a context based query,
searches and retrieves all the relevant content for
the entity.
The DAM module has Real-time Integration into any DAM system available through standard APIs
(Native Integration into MS SharePoint).
3.11. Product Data Refinement (Optional)

Riversand’s MDMCenter includes an optional Product Data Refinement (PDR) module which
automates the process of extracting attributes from large blobs of unstructured information
enabling companies to provide the best quality and most granular product data. This capability
powers initiatives such as Data Refinement, Online Search, Guided Navigation and Product
Comparisons. In a highly competitive landscape, having rich, accurate and consistent data can
lead to better customer loyalty and stickiness leading to increased revenues. This module can also
result cost savings due to reduced manual intervention and more efficient supplier data on-
boarding processes. Key features include:

 Out-of-Box Catalog of data refinement rules
 Business user friendly Rules Engine to create and maintain domain/category specific
refinement rules
 Supplier Portal – Specialized, Private, and Secure interface for suppliers
 Quick and Easy methods of integrating to existing data sources such as Merchandising
Systems, e-Commerce Catalogs, Data Warehouses etc.

4. Quantifying the Value of Master Data Liquidity

In order to assist clients in quantifying the value or potential value of MDM and improved Master
Data Liquidity within their organization, Riversand has developed the ValuestreamTM program.
A Riversand ValuestreamTM assessment is a consultative, pre- or post-implementation analysis of

the value of MDM to an organization in order to help build project support, justify investment
and/or quantify impact
Valuestream projects consist of a 2-3 week comprehensive engagement between Riversand

Professional Services and key client stakeholders. Riversand’s
experts work closely with clients to identify high-value use cases,
analyze ROI and recommend best practices. Deliverables,
including analysis, findings and recommendations, are
customized to the needs of each client.
Valuestream Program Benefits:
 Fully customized – program designed to meet the needs of individual clients

 Identifies highest value use cases/applications
 Identifies and defines key performance metrics
 Quantifies total cost of ownership of MDM
 Quantifies potential benefits of MDM and Master Data Liquidity
 Quantifies potential ROI of MDM and Master Data Liquidity for an entire organization
 Justifies investment in MDM
 Provides industry benchmarks
 Identifies key stakeholders
 Develops organizational support and stakeholder buy-in
 Helps IT start to gather requirements from the business
 Jumpstarts MDM implementation
 Provides recommendations for implementation best practices

5. Conclusions and Next Steps

Effective Master Data Management and improved Master Data
Liquidity are initiatives which are currently being undertaken
by leading organizations throughout the world. The
companies are poised to improve their business performance
in a number of areas throughout their global operations.
The potential for success of an MDM initiative focused on

improving Master Data Liquidity and/or other benefits of MDM
will be drastically increased with the deployment of a robust
MDM Solution such as Riversand’s MDMCenter Version 6.0.
Benefits of this latest version of MDMCenter include improved data visibility; improved data
liquidity; increased efficiencies due to data inheritance; improved data quality & business rule
functionality; improved management of unstructured data; and improved dynamic, multi-channel
data publishing. These capabilities will provide Riversand clients with improved ability to model,
aggregate, cleanse, manage and syndicate complex multi-entity master data across global
organizations.
We invite you to find out more at: www.riversand.com
Or request a discussion and demo at: www.riversand.com/company/request.aspx

6. Appendix: Riversand References

Riversand has unmatched technology, a world-class team of consultants and a
proven methodology to ensure our clients’ success. Riversand has extensive
experience deploying global implementations of Master Data Management, Data
Quality and Business Process Management Solutions throughout the world.
Riversand’s customer base includes many Global1000 companies as well as
smaller, innovative companies who are looking to grow their business through
data-driven competitive advantage. Our organization includes multi-national
teams that are available at offices throughout the world. In addition, Riversand
works with an extensive network of global delivery partners and is open to
partner with any company at our client’s request.
Currently, Riversand is providing implementation and support services to

companies across five continents and is being considered for more global
projects each day. Most importantly, our global implementations are supported
by knowledgeable experts and the most advanced, flexible MDM Solutions on
the market. The following is a brief summary of a few of our successes:
VF Corporation, the world’s largest Apparel Manufacturer and

Retailer, has selected Riversand as its strategic supplier of MDM
Solutions and Services. Riversand plans to deploy MDMCenter
across all 38 VF Brands on a global basis for Product, Customer
and Vendor data. As part of this relationship, Riversand
conducted an extensive analysis of the impact and ROI potential of
deploying MDM throughout the organization.

Weatherford implemented Riversand MDM solution to centralize all

product information. Riversand MDMCenter links Weatherford’s
suppliers, internal business units and customers to streamline the
management of content aggregation, enrichment and syndication.
The central repository of product & pricing information will be
used to generate customer-specific catalogs, feed quoting tools,
and create and update print catalogs and technical datasheets on
an ongoing basis
Cytec, one of the world’s largest Chemical and Engineered Materials

companies, is currently undertaking a multi-domain
implementation of master data management. Riversand’s
MDMCenter will be used to manage Customer, Vendor and
Product data across all of Cytec’s global divisions.
ConocoPhillips is currently undergoing through a material standardization

effort to create a single unified material master for SAP MM. Riversand
is currently providing material cleansing services for supplier material
master classification, attribute extraction, cleansing & normalization.
Riversand is leveraging Data Quality Solutions cleansing capabilities
provide the necessary toolset to meet ConocoPhillips needs
Riversand implemented a commercial workflow project to provide a

view into Halliburton’s business processes to its customers and
partners using the SeeBeyond Suite of EAI products. The effort
involved integrating with systems like SAP to extract information
such as Proposals, Job Scheduling, Invoice, Invoice Status, Debit /
Credit Memos, Customer Master, Material Master, Price/Contracts,
Sales Orders and Field Tickets

Implemented Riversand MDM Solution to aggregate, manage &

syndicate product and pricing information to their international
field estimation tools to manage their building projects. This will
enable the international field offices to generate project quotes
with the latest, most up-to-date and accurate product and pricing
information. Accurate & up-to-date product and pricing
information will enable Siemens sales force across the globe to be
more responsive to their customers through faster and quicker
proposal generation
GHX is the world largest marketplace for healthcare products. The

Riversand MDM solution supports a product dataset of 2 million items
on-boarded from approximately 500 healthcare suppliers and published
to 3000 hospitals. The solution has about 300-500 users actively using
the solution at any given moment.
Bluestem Brands is one of the U.S.’s oldest and best know Direct
Marketers. Riversand is fully managing the supplier data on-boarding,
enrichment and syndication process for Bluestem. We have integrated
into over 20 Enterprise systems while maintaining the single version of
the truth for Product and Vendor data throughout the organization.

Master Data Management and Master Data Liquidity

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Master Data Management and Master Data Liquidity

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Improving

Master Data Liquidity

A Riversand Technologies Whitepaper

Copyright© 2001-2009 Riversand Technologies, Inc.

Page 2 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

1. DEFINING MASTER DATA LIQUIDITY ..................................................................................... 4

2. THE BENEFITS OF MASTER DATA LIQUIDITY....................................................................... 6

3. MDMCENTER™ V6.0 & MASTER DATA LIQUIDITY ................................................................ 8

4. QUANTIFYING THE VALUE OF MASTER DATA LIQUIDITY ................................................. 26

5. CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS ....................................................................................... 27

6. APPENDIX: RIVERSAND REFERENCES ............................................................................... 28

Page 3 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

1. Defining Master Data Liquidity

Page 4 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Unfortunately, many companies do not fully understand

The Three Aspects of Master Data Liquidity

1) Master Data Flow

2) Quality of Master Data

3) Financial Return on Master Data

Page 5 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. The Benefits of Master Data Liquidity

Benefits of MDM and Master Data Liquidity

Page 6 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Page 7 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. MDMCenter™ V6.0 & Master Data Liquidity

3.1. Data Visibility

Easy one-click access to

Page 8 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.1.2. Entity Explorer

MDMCenter’s Entity Explorer page looks like following:

Stage and Category criteria

Page 9 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.1.3. Entity Editor

Entity Editor features include:

 Create a short-cut to your frequently accessed attributes

Page 10 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.1.4. Data Views

Different Views for Product, Vendor, Partner, Customer and

Page 11 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2. Enterprise Systems Integration

3.2.1. Data Aggregation

 Aggregation capabilities for any data entity type

 Aggregation capabilities for metadata such as Classifications and Taxonomy Attribute

 Delta functionality at an attribute level allows for incremental updates

Page 12 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

 Scheduled or manual import capabilities

 Support for file-based, Native API or Web Services based integration

 Data Quality validation rules and data staging capabilities

3.2.2. Data Syndication

 Out-of-the-box for industry standards formats

 Ability to filter data based on organizations,

 Unlimited syndication templates

 Delta update capability with the ability to

Page 13 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.3. Advanced Workflow Management

 Improved processes for greater efficiency

 Keener competitive edge

 Fully integrated workflow for Riversand MDM

 Advanced Workflow not only reduces process cycle

 Effective collaboration and communication

Page 14 of 38 Copyright© 2001-2010 Riversand Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

 Better resource utilization

 Advanced Workflow provides your resources anytime, anywhere access to business

 Increased ROI from technology investments