Last time we looked at how the tools and methods incorporated within a master data management system can contribute to ensuring the satisfaction of the success criteria for data warehouse consolidation. MDM provides some valuable capabilities that will simplify the consolidation processes. In addition, integrating consolidation with the master repository creates a feedback mechanism in which any potential inconsistencies noted at the target data warehouse can be communicated back to the master repository as well as the original data source owners.

Including the results of the data warehouse consolidation back into the master repository will also help improve the master data integration process. Scanning through multiple existing data warehouses and marts allows the MDM system to look for embedded connections and relationships that might not have been found when streaming source data directly into the master repository. The feedback loop from the consolidation helps to enhance master entity representations, smooth out semantic differences and highlight profiles and relationships that are valuable to expose to downstream consumers.

But what is critical is recognizing the pivotal role MDM plays in consolidation. In general, it represents the target of consolidation - but as I have shown, it can act as a facilitator of consolidation for other target systems.