Runtime Features

The components of the master index application are designed to uniquely identify, match, and maintain information throughout a business enterprise. These components are highly configurable, allowing you to create a custom master index suited to your specific data processing needs. Sun Master Index applications provide the following features.

• Centralized Information - The master index maintains a centralized database, enabling the integration of data records throughout the enterprise while allowing local systems to continue operating independently. The index stores copies of local system records and of SBRs, which represent the most accurate and complete data for each object.

• Configurability - Before deploying the master index, you define the components and processing capabilities of the system to suit your organization’s processing requirements. You can configure the object structure, matching and standardization rules, survivorship rules, data filters, queries, Master Index Data Manager (MIDM) appearance, and field validation rules.

• Cross-referencing - The master index is a global cross-indexing application that automates record matching across disparate source systems, simplifying the process of sharing data between systems. The master index uses the local identifiers assigned by your existing systems as a reference for cross-indexing, allowing you to maintain your current systems and practices.

• Data Cleansing - The master index uses configurable matching algorithm logic to uniquely identify object records and to identify duplicate and potential duplicate records. The index provides the functionality to easily merge or resolve duplicates. The index can be configured to automatically merge records that are found to be duplicates of one another.

• Data Updates - The master index provides the ability to add, update, deactivate, and delete data in the database tables through messages received from external systems. Records received from external systems are checked for potential duplicates during processing. Updates can be performed in real time or as batch processes.

• Identification - The master index employs configurable probabilistic matching technology, using a matching algorithm to formulate an effective statistical measure of how closely records match. Using a state-of-the-art algorithm in real time and establishing a common method of locating records, the index consistently and precisely identifies objects within an enterprise.

• Matching Algorithm - The matching algorithm and logic used by the master index application is highly configurable. The Master Index Match Engine and Master Index Standardization Engine are used for standardization and matching, but a master index can also be implemented with other match engines that provide a compatible API. The matching and standardization logic is customizable with a framework that allows you to plug in customized logic.

• Unique Identifier - Records from various systems are cross-referenced using an enterprise-wide unique identifier (EUID) that the master index assigns to each object record. The index uses the EUID to cross-reference the local IDs assigned to each object by the various computer systems throughout the enterprise.