If we take a closer look at our core area, intralogistics, it is primarily the article master data that makes the difference. Item master data describes materials, purchased parts, merchandise, assemblies and products in detail, both in terms of economic aspects (e.g. purchase and sales prices, sources of supply, replenishment times) and in terms of logistical aspects. This includes the physical properties of the items, such as their dimensions and weights, breakage hazards, hazardous material attributes, temperature requirements or even stackability.
In order to effectively and efficiently design material flows within companies as well as beyond company boundaries, great importance must be attached to logistical master data in particular. In addition, the higher the degree of automation, the better and more comprehensive the logistical master data should be.
In order to meet the high demands on data quality and quantity and to define the framework conditions for master data collection and maintenance for the entire company, many companies are establishing a centrally organized master data management system. Professional and cross-company handling of master data offers companies a variety of advantages.
What master data management can do for logistics:
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Master data management enables data analysis for further strategic planning.
Only companies that continuously evaluate their data, interpret it and act accordingly remain successful in the long term. Data is the path to success.
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Master data management helps to reduce emissions during transport and packaging waste.
Products should be packed as small as possible to avoid unnecessary packaging waste and to make optimal use of transport vehicles for shipping. Cartons that are too large prevent efficient loading and thus increase the proportional CO² emissions per package. Through accurate data, the optimal packaging of products and the possible loading quantity of trucks can be calculated precisely.
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Master data management enables efficient shipping processes.
When all relevant shipment data is available at the push of a button and can be exchanged with CEP service providers via modern interfaces, shipping processes can be handled efficiently. In an age when an infinite number of products are ordered and shipped online, fast shipping processes are essential.
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Master data management lays the foundation for successful automation
Robots used in the course of automating processes in a company only work with data. The more accurate and complete the data, the smoother the automated activities will run.
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Master data management provides the correct data for business processes & software
No matter what software a company uses to map and exercise business processes, software is only as good as the data it works with. Poor data quality = poor software functioning.
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Master data management helps optimize the entire supply chain
With a centralized view of products and comprehensive, error-free information on suppliers and customers, processes can be improved along the entire supply chain.
These were some, but by no means all, of the areas where comprehensive master data management can provide significant benefits. In today’s world, which is characterized by small order lot sizes, high customer expectations in terms of delivery times and delivery options, highly dynamic procurement markets and complex supply chains, correct master data is no longer a “nice-to-have”. Only those who have their data and thus their processes under control can operate economically in a dynamic environment in the long term.
Sources:
Cf. IPL Magazin, Wie wichtig sind Stammdaten?, accessed 06.09.2022
URL: https://ipl-mag.de/ipl-magazin-rubriken/scm-praxis/445-wie-wichtig-sind-stammdaten
Cf. ecosio, Was sind eigentlich „Stammdaten“ und warum brauchen wir die?, accessed 06.09.2022URL: https://ecosio.com/de/blog/warum-korrekte-stammdaten-wichtig-sind/
Cf. Paul Planung, Stammdaten-Management: Was es ist, warum es wichtig ist und wie man damit anfängt, accessed 6.09.2022
URL: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stammdaten-management-es-ist-warum-wichtig-und-wie-man-cubeware-/?originalSubdomain=de