Master Data Services (MDS) is a feature of SQL Server that provides a platform for managing master data, which is the core data used to support business operations and decision-making. Master data includes information such as customers, products, suppliers, employees, and financial data, and is typically shared across multiple systems and business units.
MDS enables organizations to create a central repository for managing master data, and provides tools for defining data models, managing data quality, and enforcing data governance policies. Some of the key features of MDS include:
Data modeling: Allows users to define the structure of master data, including entities, attributes, and relationships between data elements.
Data management: Provides tools for managing master data, including importing, exporting, and updating data, as well as tracking changes and maintaining data history.
Data quality: Includes data validation rules, data cleansing, and data matching capabilities to ensure that master data is accurate, consistent, and up-to-date.
Security and governance: Provides role-based security and access controls, as well as workflow and approval processes to ensure that master data is managed in accordance with organizational policies and standards.
MDS is designed to be flexible and customizable, and can be integrated with other Microsoft technologies such as SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). It can also be extended using custom code and third-party tools to meet specific business requirements. Overall, MDS is a powerful tool for managing master data and improving data governance and quality. It can help organizations to streamline their data management processes, reduce errors and inconsistencies, and ensure that data is accurate and reliable across the organization.