April 18, 2024
Master data is the information key to the operation of a business. Although it is often non-transactional, supports transactional processes, and operations.
Master Data Management in Dynamics 365 Business Central
The core data within the company that defines objects around which business is conducted is considered ‘Master Data.’ Typically, it changes infrequently and can include reference data necessary to operate the business.
The Four General Master Data Domains
- Customers with sub-domains of Customer, Employee, and Salesperson.
- Products with sub-domains of Product, Part, Store, and Assets.
- Locations with sub-domains of office location and geographic divisions.
- Other includes contract, warranty, and license sub-domains.
What Is Master Data Management?
Master Data Management or MDM is the technology, tools, and processes to ensure coordination of master across the enterprise. MDMS delivers a unified master data service to help businesses have accurate, consistent, and complete master data across organizations and business partners. Master data management allows you to transfer masters and setups from one company to another in the same environment.
Master Data Management Features in Dynamics 365 Business Central
- You can move Company master data between other legal entities and synchronize tables and field data.
- It allows you to set up more advanced synchronization couplings and filter on table records to have better control over the synchronization.
- Business owners can see the immediate extraction of Changes in the main company and transfer to the receiving companies by the job queue.
- Users in the receiving company can review synchronization logs, track changes, and resolve any issues.
*Note: The synchronization process is based on a pull model, not a push model. This defines that subsidiaries can pull data from the source company. After setting up the synchronization, job queue entries start updating data in subsidiaries according to the changes made in the source company.
Expert and Experienced Business Central Consultants recommend doing one-way synchronization. Although two-way synchronization is possible, Microsoft doesn’t recommend setting up bi-directional synchronization as it leads to conflicts or unwanted overwrites.
Most Popular Features of MDM or Master Data Management
- Extension of 12 tables with Master Data Fields
- Creation of Individual Data Structure
- Bulk update multiple item records
- Creation of Individual Data Views
Images and Rich Media
You can include files, images, user guides, and any rich media in master data. Master Data Management in Business Central structures data according to whether it is a text, image, or attribute, and can also be seen as a whole.
Bulk Updating
With Master Data Management, you can update item records, i.e. from lists from suppliers in bulk.
Editing in Excel
It allows you to make changes to data in Excel and submit the changes back into the system.
Custom Data Views
You can avail of a configurable display to have a better overview. Master Data Management in Dynamics 365 Business Central allows you to create your data views with data from several tabs and records.
Individual Data Hierarchy
With MDM, business administrators can standardize item data across all departments. It enables you to design your data hierarchy and get centralized management of web shop item data with HTML-formatted data.
Templates
You can create new items from item templates avail in Master Data Management in Business Central.
Master Data on Documents
You can automatically add master data to your outgoing documents in Dynamics 365 Business Central. On Sales and Purchase documents, you can add information about items and customize the contents of documents as per your settings on customers and vendors.
Item Variants with Master Data
You can manage item variants in Business Central. Sales and Purchase Orders allow you to use a matrix to enter and edit order lines. Additionally, you can perform simple mass updates across many variants, which is efficiently managed by the Master Data configuration.
Who will benefit from Master Data Management in Business Central?
For the most part, Master Data Management is preferred by customers with multiple separate company databases within the one Business Central tenant that share the same master data, setup, configuration, accounting periods, and other company-level data points.
Key Benefits with Master Data Information
- Fully customizable master data structure
- Leading Industry Practice at a low price
- Easy, Quick, and Guided implementation
The business benefits of our Master Data Management extension
- Improved Control for Master and reference data across the company.
- One can Add, Update, and Delete nominated data to be automatically replicated across one or many nominated companies.
- Performs quick and accurate data changes
- Helps prevent or control multiple entry points for common data across entities.
- Expedited processes with fewer reviews and approval checkpoints for auditors.
- An audit log for complete visibility and tracking of every addition, change, and deletion of action.
- Speed, Quality, and Improved Management of data fields
Case Study: How NavisionIndia Help Overcome the Challenge of Synchronizing Master Data in Business Central?
Introduction:
In the fast-paced and interconnected world of business, global companies often face the challenge of managing and synchronizing master data across their various subsidiaries and branches. A seamless flow of information between different entities is vital for maintaining consistency, reducing errors, and improving overall efficiency. In this blog, we will explore a solution that can help streamline these processes – Master Data Management setup in Business Central.
The Challenge:
Imagine a manufacturing company with a vast global presence and multiple subsidiary companies. Each subsidiary manages its data separately, including vendors, customers, products, and other critical master data. The client wants a solution that enables them to create and manage master data in one master company and automatically synchronize it across all their subsidiary companies.
The Solution - Master Data Management Setup:
To address the client’s requirements, we recommend implementing a Master Data Management (MDM) set up in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. MDM allows for the smooth transfer and synchronization of master data between different companies within the same environment. This data synchronization engine ensures that data remains consistent across all subsidiaries, even after the initial transfer.
Key Capabilities of Master Data Management:
- Moving master data works when a company subscribes to data from another company.
- You can define the tables and fields to synchronize. For more control over the synchronization, you can filter on table records. You can also set up more advanced synchronization couplings.
- Changes in the main company are immediately pulled to the receiving companies by the job queue.
- Users in the receiving company can review synchronization logs.
It’s important to note that the synchronization process is based on a pull model, not a push model. This means that subsidiaries pull data from the source company, and once the synchronization is set up, job queue entries start updating data in subsidiaries whenever changes are made in the source company.
Conclusion:
Master Data Management setup in Business Central offers a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by many companies when managing master data across subsidiaries. With seamless data movement, customization options, real-time updates, and a pull model for synchronization, businesses can experience enhanced efficiency, reduced errors, and improved decision-making processes.
At NavisionIndia, you can connect to our adept Dynamics 365 F&O, NAV/Business Central Consultants, who accompany you while undergoing digital transformation and deliver their industry-rich expertise to make optimal use of the solution. Among Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Solution Providers, we hold extensive experience in driving successful digital transformation and offer uncompromised solutions under the aegis of our pool of experts.
We help businesses implement changes with time-saving capabilities, reduce maintenance costs by steering standardization, and streamline master data maintenance to help you thrive in the advancing business landscape with value-adding processes.
For more information across Master Data Management in Business Central, write to us at info@navisionindia.in Or Schedule A Demo