This book provides system architects, administrators, and IT managers with a description of the structure and usage scenarios of SAP NetWeaver MDM.

It uses three comprehensive real-life examples to give you practical insights into the consolidation, harmonization, and central management of master data. In addition, you’ll uncover the concepts and business-related requirements of master data management as well as best practices for integrating MDM in your Enterprise SOA.

An entire chapter is devoted to describing the technical details - to their full extent. Plus, more than 130 pages are dedicated to an MDM compendium, complete with detailed answers to all of your most pressing questions on individual components, data extraction from SAP systems, options for integration with SAP XI, SAP NetWeaver BI, and the SAP Portal (including user management), as well as on workflows and the Java API.

The book is based on the current SAP NetWeaver MDM 5.5 Release, but is also a valuable tool for those utilizing earlier versions.

Highlights

• Overview of MDM
• Master Data Management in Companies: Concepts and Requirements
• MDM as a Central Component of an Enterprise SOA: MDM in the Context of a Service-Oriented Architecture
• Sample Scenarios: Data Synchronization in Marketing, Identity Management, Mergers & Acquisitions
• MDM Technical Details: Components of MDM, Data Extraction, Integration, Workflows, Java API

About the Author(s)

Loren Heilig is the founder and CEO of IBSolution GmbH, a service provider in the SAP NetWeaver area as well as an SAP MDM, BI and Portal Expertise Partner. Steffen Karch is a Senior Business Consultant at SAP. His project work focuses on strategic IT consulting with a special emphasis on matters of integration. All their co-authors have extensive experience working with SAP MDM.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ... 13
1 Introduction ... 15

2 Master Data and Application Systems in Companies ... 19
2.1 What Is Master Data? ... 19
2.2 Master Data in Enterprise IT ... 22
2.3 Examples of Problems with Master Data ... 28
2.4 Solutions for Master Data Management ... 35
2.5 Today's Requirements for Master Data Management ... 39
2.6 Conclusion ... 42

3 From Silo to Services - MDM as a Central Component of a Service-Oriented Architecture ... 45
3.1 Initial Situation at Many Companies ... 45
3.2 Basic Principles of Enterprise SOA ... 48
3.3 A Platform for Enterprise SOA: SAP NetWeaver ... 64
3.4 MDM as the Backbone of Enterprise SOA ... 68
3.5 Towards an Enterprise SOA ... 71

4 Overview of MDM ... 73
4.1 MDM Architecture ... 74
4.2 Overview of MDM Components ... 75
4.3 Available MDM Scenarios ... 83
4.4 SAP NetWeaver MDM as a Toolbox ... 93

5 MDM as a Basis for Identity Management ... 97
5.1 Company and IT Landscape ... 99
5.2 Scenario Description ... 102
5.3 Chosen Solution and Its Architecture ... 109
5.4 Implementation ... 112
5.5 Summary and Outlook ... 131

6 MDM in the Publishing Industry ... 133
6.1 Description of the Problem ... 134
6.2 The Enterprise and the IT Landscape ... 135
6.3 Scenario Description ... 139
6.4 Chosen Solution and Its Architecture ... 141
6.5 Implementation ... 147
6.6 Lessons Learned and a Look Ahead ... 159

7 MDM in an Enterprise Characterized by Mergers and Acquisitions ... 161
7.1 Description of the Problem ... 162
7.2 The Enterprise and the IT Landscape ... 162
7.3 Scenario Description ... 167
7.4 Chosen Solution and Its Architecture ... 172
7.5 Procedure ... 175
7.6 Lessons Learned and Future Prospects ... 180

8 MDM: Technical Details ... 183
8.1 Architecture in Detail ... 183
8.2 MDM Data Model ... 192
8.3 MDM Console ... 208
8.4 MDM Data Manager ... 216
8.5 MDM Import Manager/Server ... 226
8.6 MDM Syndicator/Server ... 246
8.7 MDM Publisher ... 256
8.8 Integration of SAP Components with MDM Business Content ... 263
8.9 Integration into the Portal ... 280
8.10 Workflows ... 288
8.11 MDM Programming Interfaces ... 295
8.12 Conclusion ... 306

9 Summary and Outlook ... 307
9.1 Why Master Data Management? ... 307
9.2 MDM as the Foundation of Enterprise SOA ... 309
9.3 Enterprise SOA and MDM in Practice ... 311
9.4 A Look Ahead ... 313

Appendix ... 315
A List of Acronyms ... 317
B Literature ... 321
C The Authors ... 323

Index ... 327