Functions of the Runtime Environment

In the runtime environment, the master index application provides the following functions to help you monitor and maintain the data shared throughout the index system.

• Transaction History - The system provides a complete history of each object by recording all changes to each object’s data. This history is maintained for both the local system records and the SBR.

• Data Maintenance - The web-based user interface supports all the necessary features for maintaining data records. It allows you to add new records; view, update, deactivate, or reactivate existing records; and compare records for similarities and differences. You can perform these functions against each local system record or SBR associated with an enterprise object.

• Search - The information contained in each SBR or system record can be obtained from the database using a variety of search criteria. You can perform searches against the database for a specific object or a set of objects. For certain searches, the results are assigned a matching weight that indicates the probability of a match.

• Potential Duplicate Detection and Handling - One of the most important features of the master index application is its ability to match records and identify possible duplicates. Using matching algorithm logic, the index identifies potential duplicate records and provides the functionality to correct the duplication. Potential duplicate records are easily corrected by either merging the records in question or marking the records as “resolved”.

• Merge and Unmerge - You can compare potential duplicate records and then merge the records if you find them to be actual duplicates of one another. You can merge records at either the EUID or system record level. You can determine which record to retain as the active record and what information from each record to preserve in the resulting record.

• Reports - You can generate reports that provide information about the current state of the data in the master index application, helping you monitor stored data and determine how that data needs to be updated. Report information also helps verify that the matching logic and weight thresholds are defined correctly.