Book Image

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Master Data Services

Book Image

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Master Data Services

Overview of this book

Table of Contents (18 chapters)
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Master Data Services
Credits
Foreword
About the Authors
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Master Data Services overview


Master Data Services is Microsoft's Master Data Management product that ships with SQL Server 2008 R2. Much like other parts of SQL Server, such as Analysis Services (SSAS) or Reporting Services (SSRS), MDS doesn't get installed along with the database engine, but is a separate product in its own right.

Unlike SSAS or SSRS, it's worth noting that MDS is only available in the Enterprise and Data Centre Editions of SQL Server, and that the server must be 64-bit.

MDS is a product that has grown from acquisition, as it is based on the +EDM product that Microsoft obtained when they bought the Atlanta-based company called Stratature in 2007. A great deal of work has been carried out since the acquisition, including changing the user interface and putting in a web service layer.

At a high level, the new product has the following features:

  • Entity maintenance—MDS supports data stewardship by allowing users to add, edit, and delete members. The tool is not specific to a...