>I would like to find out what is Microsoft's Position in terms of Master
> Database/Data Management Solutions. I was looking at one article where SAP
> talks about Master Data Management and here is what they say :
>
> SAP Master Data Management is the foundation for harmonized, consistent
> information that can be provided to client applications across the
> enterprise. It gives you a powerful way to achieve information consistency
> across your business and IT landscape. Enabling improved decision-making,
> translating opportunity costs into gains, and reducing the cost of IT
> maintenance.
>
> With SAP Master Data Management, you can:
>
> a.. Manage customer relationships effectively through streamlined
> visibility across heterogeneous systems
> b.. Easily distribute master data to designated systems through automated
> publish and subscribe models
> c.. Reduce the number of part masters maintained globally by eliminating
> duplicates
> d.. Analyze and report on spending by part, supplier, or other master
> data
> e.. Negotiate better sourcing agreements on the basis of analytical
> insights
> f.. Reduce supply chain costs by ensuring accurate exchange of data
> between manufacturers and distributors or retailers
>
> SAP Master Data Management enables you to harmonize information across
> myriad applications and topographies -- whether that information resides
> in
> SAP, non-SAP, or legacy applications. So you can reduce costs, improve
> decision-making, and achieve business goals.
>
>