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Reference data is used to organize or categorize other data, or for relating data to information both within and beyond the boundaries of the enterprise. Usually consists of codes and descriptions or definition. For example, Order Status: New, In Progress, Closed, Cancelled; may incorporate external standards, e.g. postal address or industry classification; it may be used for computation, e.g. currency exchange rate; it may also be quite abstract, e.g. synonym list.
Master Data, which encompasses reference data, is data about the business entities (e.g., employees, customers, products, financial structures, assets, and locations) that provide context for business transactions and analysis. Entities are represented by entity instances, in the form of data / records. Master Data should represent the authoritative, most accurate data available about key business entities. When managed well, Master Data values are trusted and can be used with confidence.
In most organizations, various projects and initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, and other business activities result in multiple systems executing much the same functions, isolated from or uncoordinated with each other. These conditions inevitably lead to inconsistencies in data structure and data values between systems. Both can be reduced through the management of Master Data and Reference Data.
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