About Sun Master Index (Repository)

Sun Master Index provides a flexible framework that allows you to create matching and indexing applications called enterprise-wide master index applications. It is an application building tool to help you design, configure, and create a master index application that will uniquely identify and cross-reference the business objects stored in your system databases. Business objects can be any type of entity for which you store information, such as customers, patients, vendors, businesses, inventory, and so on.

The following topics provide additional information about Sun Master Index:

• Sun Master Index Configuration

• Features of Sun Master Index

Sun Master Index Configuration

In Sun Master Index, you define the data structure of the business objects to be stored and cross-referenced. In addition, you define the logic that determines how data is updated, standardized, weighted, and matched in the master index database. The structure and logic you define is located in a group of XML configuration files that you create using the wizard. These files are created within the context of a NetBeans project, and can be further customized using the either the Configuration Editor - Repository or the NetBeans XML editor. This document describes the structure of the XML files and how each configuration option affects the master index application.

Features of Sun Master Index

Sun Master Index provides features and functions to allow you to create and configure master index application for any type of data. The primary function of Sun Master Index is to automate the creation of a highly configurable master index application. A wizard guides you through the initial setup steps, and the Configuration Editor - Repository allows you to further customize the configuration of the master index application. The components you need to implement a master index application are automatically generated.

Sun Master Index provides the following features:

• Rapid Development - Rapid and intuitive development of a master index application using a wizard to create the master index configuration and using XML documents to configure the attributes of the index. Templates are provided for quick development of person and company object structures.

• Automated Component Generation - Sun Master Index automatically creates the configuration files that define the primary attributes of the master index application, including the configuration of the Enterprise Data Manager (EDM). Sun Master Index also generates scripts that create the appropriate database schemas and an Object Type Definition (OTD) based on the object definition you create and configure.

• Configurable Survivor Calculator - Sun Master Index provides predefined strategies for determining which field values to populate in the single best record (SBR). You can define different survivor rules for each field, and you can create a custom survivor strategy to implement in the master index application.

• Flexible Architecture - Sun Master Index provides a flexible platform that allows you to create a master index application for any business object. You can customize the object structure so the master index application can match and store any type of data, allowing you to design an application that specifically meets your data processing needs.

• Configurable Matching Algorithm - Sun Master Index provides standard support for the Sun Match Engine. In addition, you can plug in a custom matching algorithm to the master index application.

• Custom Java API - Sun Master Index generates a Java API that is customized to the object structure you define. You can call the methods in this API in the Collaborations that define the transformation rules for data processed by the master index application.

• Standard Reports - Sun Master Index provides a set of standard reports with each master index application that can be run from a command line or from the EDM. The reports help you monitor the state of the data stored in the master index application and help you identify configuration changes that might be required.