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Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Master Data Services helps an organization to manage master data. Source systems import business data, such as data from transactions, into the Master Data Services system, where it can be standardized, streamlined, and organized into relationships for analysis and preparation to send to subscribing systems.

Users can organize master data with the Master Data Services data structures of models, hierarchies, and collections. Each of these data structures provide different ways to roll up the data for review, enabling users to make critical business decisions.

Master Data Services is a Master Data Management application that consists of the following components and tools:

• Master Data Services Configuration Manager, from which you can create and configure Master Data Services databases and Web applications.
  
• Master Data Manager, from which users can manage master data.
  
• Master Data Services Web service, from which a developer can extend or develop custom solutions for Master Data Services in his or her environment.
  

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