Enterprise Solution Framework Incorporating a Master Data Management System for Centrally Managing Core Reference Data Associated with an Enterprise
In one embodiment, an enterprise solution framework is provided. A configuration segment is provided for specifying a configuration of an enterprise. The configuration segment includes a system for centrally managing core enterprise reference data, including: (1) a centralized master repository containing the reference data; (2) an internal services framework providing internal services for managing the reference data, the internal services having direct access to the reference data for management purposes; and (3) an infrastructure services layer providing bulk: data transfers of reference data between the repository and external operational systems according to enterprise-level business workflows, the external operational systems being permitted indirect access to the reference data for operational purposes. A planning segment is provided for planning according to the configuration specified in the configuration segment. An execution segment is provided for execution according to output of the planning segment. A monitoring segment is provided for monitoring according to output of the execution segment. External operational systems embody the planning, execution, and monitoring segments.
1 . A computer-implemented enterprise solution framework for an enterprise, comprising:
a configuration segment specifying a configuration of the enterprise, the configuration segment comprising a system for centrally managing core enterprise reference data associated with an enterprise, comprising:
a centralized master repository containing the core enterprise reference data, wherein the core enterprise reference data comprises master data representing core configuration data associated with entities of the enterprise;
an internal services framework coupled to the centralized master repository and providing internal services for managing the core enterprise reference data within the centralized master repository, one or more of the internal services having direct access to the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository for management purposes; and
an infrastructure services layer coupled to the centralized master repository and providing for bulk data transfers of core enterprise reference data between the centralized master repository and one or more external operational systems according to one or more enterprise-level business workflows, the external operational systems being permitted indirect access to the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository for operational purposes;
a planning segment for planning with respect to the enterprise and its entities according to the configuration of the enterprise specified in the configuration segment, the planning comprising generating decisions specifying actions to be taken;
an execution segment for execution with respect to the enterprise and its entities according to output of the planning segment, the execution comprising taking actions based on the decisions generated in the planning segment; and
a monitoring segment for monitoring with respect to the enterprise and its entities according to output of the execution segment, the monitoring comprising determining results of actions taken in the execution segment and providing feedback to the configuration and planning segments accordingly;
a database associated with the centralized master repository for storing the core enterprise reference data.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more external operational systems comprise a system selected from the group consisting of:
a planning system;
an execution system; and
a monitoring system.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the enterprise is a retail enterprise and the one or more external operational systems comprise:
a merchandising planning system;
a replenishment planning system;
an order management system; and
a logistics and distribution system.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein each of the one or more external operational systems comprise:
one or more external enterprise solution components associated with the enterprise.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a secure system of record for management of the core enterprise reference data rather than operational use of the core enterprise reference data by the external operational systems.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the database associated with the centralized master repository is a multi-dimensional database construct in which all the core enterprise reference data stored within the centralized master repository is represented as an attribute associated with a point in n-dimensional entity space.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an external access service replicates the core enterprise reference data in the centralized master repository to be replicated to persistent stores of the external operational systems for operational use by the external operational systems, the external operational systems not being permitted direct access the core enterprise reference data in the centralized master repository.
8 . A method for providing an enterprise solution framework for an enterprise, comprising:
providing a configuration segment specifying a configuration of the enterprise, the configuration segment comprising a system for centrally managing core enterprise reference data associated with an enterprise, comprising:
a centralized master repository containing the core enterprise reference data, wherein the core enterprise reference data comprises master data representing core configuration data associated with entities of the enterprise;
an internal services framework coupled to the centralized master repository and providing internal services for managing the core enterprise reference data within the centralized master repository, one or more of the internal services having direct access to the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository for management purposes; and
an infrastructure services layer coupled to the centralized master repository and providing for bulk data transfers of core enterprise reference data between the centralized master repository and one or more external operational systems according to one or more enterprise-level business workflows, the external operational systems being permitted indirect access to the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository for operational purposes;
providing a planning segment for planning with respect to the enterprise and its entities according to the configuration of the enterprise specified in the configuration segment, the planning comprising generating decisions specifying actions to be taken;
providing an execution segment for execution with respect to the enterprise and its entities according to output of the planning segment, the execution comprising taking actions based on the decisions generated in the planning segment; and
providing a monitoring segment for monitoring with respect to the enterprise and its entities according to output of the execution segment, the monitoring comprising determining results of actions taken in the execution segment and providing feedback to the configuration and planning segments accordingly;
storing the core enterprise reference data in a database associated with the centralized master repository.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more external operational systems comprise a system selected from the group consisting of:
a planning system;
an execution system; and
a monitoring system.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the enterprise is a retail enterprise and the one or more external operational systems comprise:
a merchandising planning system;
a replenishment planning system;
an order management system; and
a logistics and distribution system.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more external operational systems comprise:
one or more external enterprise solution components associated with the enterprise.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the system for centrally managing core enterprise reference data comprises a secure system of record for management of the core enterprise reference data rather than operational use of the core enterprise reference data by the external operational systems.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the database associated with the centralized master repository is a multi-dimensional database construct in which all the core enterprise reference data stored within the centralized master repository is represented as an attribute associated with a point in n-dimensional entity space.
14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein an external access service replicates the core enterprise reference data in the centralized master repository to be replicated to persistent stores of the external operational systems for operational use by the external operational systems, the external operational systems not being permitted direct access the core enterprise reference data in the centralized master repository.
15 . Software providing an enterprise solution framework for an enterprise, the software being embodied in one or more computer-readable media and when executed using one or more computer systems operable to:
provide a configuration segment specifying a configuration of the enterprise, the configuration segment comprising a system for centrally managing core enterprise reference data associated with an enterprise, the configuration segment operable to:
interact with a centralized master repository containing the core enterprise reference data, wherein the core enterprise reference data comprises master data representing core configuration data associated with entities of the enterprise;
provide an internal services framework coupled to the centralized master repository and providing internal services for managing the core enterprise reference data within the centralized master repository, one or more of the internal services having direct access to the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository for management purposes; and
provide an infrastructure services layer coupled to the centralized master repository and providing for bulk data transfers of core enterprise reference data between the centralized master repository and one or more external operational systems according to one or more enterprise-level business workflows, the external operational systems being permitted indirect access to the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository for operational purposes;
provide a planning segment for planning with respect to the enterprise and its entities according to the configuration of the enterprise specified in the configuration segment, the planning comprising generating decisions specifying actions to be taken;
provide an execution segment for execution with respect to the enterprise and its entities according to output of the planning segment, the execution comprising taking actions based on the decisions generated in the planning segment; and
provide a monitoring segment for monitoring with respect to the enterprise and its entities according to output of the execution segment, the monitoring comprising determining results of actions taken in the execution segment and providing feedback to the configuration and planning segments accordingly;
store the core enterprise reference data in a database associated with the centralized master repository.
16 . The software of claim 15 , wherein each of one or more external operational systems comprise a system selected from the group consisting of:
a planning system;
an execution system; and
a monitoring system.
17 . The software of claim 16 , wherein the enterprise is a retail enterprise and the one or more external operational systems comprise:
a merchandising planning system;
a replenishment planning system;
an order management system; and
a logistics and distribution system.
18 . The software of claim 16 , wherein each of the one or more external operational systems comprise:
one or more external enterprise solution components associated with the enterprise.
19 . The software of claim 15 , wherein the system for centrally managing core enterprise reference data comprises a secure system of record for management of the core enterprise reference data rather than operational use of the core enterprise reference data by the external operational systems.
20 . The software of claim 15 , wherein the database associated with the centralized master repository is a multi-dimensional database construct in which all the core enterprise reference data stored within the centralized master repository is represented as an attribute associated with a point in n-dimensional entity space.