Master Data Services is a new feature that is evolving within SQL Server, that consists new changes within R2 (CTP) edition which helps enterprises standardize the data people rely on to make critical business decisions. As per the Microsoft documentation it offers:

  • Master data hub that provides central management of master data entities and hierarchies

  • Thin-client stewardship portal that provides secure, role-based Web access to master data

  • Versioning of all data entities and hierarchies

  • Human workflow that notifies assigned owners by e-mail of business rule violations

  • Flexible and extensible business rules that safeguard the quality of data entered in the master data hub 

  • Support for a broad range of hierarchy and attribute management strategies and requirements

  • Comprehensive role-based security model that enables fine-grained, secure access to master data

Just to talk about Master Data Management fundamental changes to business process will be required to maintain clean master data, and some of the most difficult MDM issues are more political than technical. MDM includes both creating and maintaining master data. Investing a lot of time, money, and effort in creating a clean, consistent set of master data is a wasted effort unless the solution includes tools and processes to keep the master data clean and consistent as it is updated and expanded.  MDS - Master Data Services is an application built from platform components which may be deployed as an application or extended by use of the platform components to consistently define and manage the critical data entities of an organization. MDS is an any-domain hub that supports but is not limited to domains such as product, customer, location, cost center, equipment, employee, and vendor.

Master Data Services is a Master Data Management application that consists of the following components and tools:

  • Master Data Services Configuration Manager, from which you can create and configure Master Data Services databases and Web applications.
  • Master Data Manager, from which users can manage master data.
  • Master Data Services Web service, from which a developer can extend or develop custom solutions for Master Data Services in his or her environment.

To test the capabilities of MDM/MDS you have to Get the SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP to unpack the abilities of what features and enhancements by R2 edition for SQL Server. Most of the foundational technologies upon which MDS depends are in SQL Server. As a result shipping in the same schedule as the platform reduces confusion for customers and provides for more opportunities for integration with those technologies. Another good news is MDS will ship as part of SQL Server 2008 R2 and customers will need to purchase a SQL Server 2008 R2 license to access MDS capabilities.

...more to come.