Chapter 5
Integrating Master Data Services with Other Systems

In This Chapter

Staging Architecture

Preparing Data for Import

Loading Members

Loading Attributes

Loading Relationships

Importing Data into the Staging Tables

Initiating the Staging Process

Using Web Services to Stage Data

Errors that Occur During Staging

Viewing the Staging Batch Table

Summary

While master data management requires extensive integration with other systems within your enterprise, Master Data Services does not provide any features around extract, transform, and load (ETL). MDS is designed to leverage SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), but it also works well with other ETL solutions such as Informatica, InfoSphere DataStage, or any other product in this space.

To get data into and out of the system and communicate with other applications, Master Data Services uses staging tables for the incoming data flow and subscription views for the outgoing data flow. In this chapter, we describe these staging areas of the application and discuss common methods to integrate systems with MDS. We also discuss some tips and tricks for integrating using SSIS and T-SQL jobs. This chapter is not meant to be a substitute for other SSIS books that may be available; for more complex operations, such as complex data flows and manipulations, you should look at Hands-On Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Integration Services, Second Edition by Ashwani Nanda for assistance.