We've got a challenge for you – We know you love DATA, that's why you're reading the Stibo Systems' blog. (If you're a first time visitor, Welcome! We blog about all sorts of data-related issues and solutions.)

We're all about breaking down data silos, but do you know what that actually means? Or how that is really done?  

The answer is MDM or Master Data Management. You may have an idea what it is, but how much do you really know?

We challenge you to take our quiz "Master Data Management - Rookie or Expert?". Maybe you’ll learn a few things or maybe you already know everything there is to know. Go ahead, Give it a try!

The annual company report. The weekly project management meeting. The current sales forecast.

Important decisions are made every day based on the content of such reports and documents. But where does the information that supports this content come from? How is it defined? Who says it’s appropriate to use and for what purpose?

 Mad Men - an American TV series about an advertising agency in the 60's
Image: http://bit.ly/1XsOYzq

Do you remember when marketing was associated with inventing original slogans and funny TV commercials? The image of the marketing team as the creative bunch in the company, attending hour-long brainstorm get-togethers while sipping Scotch, is long gone. Today it’s all about processes, analysis, and technology; choosing target markets through market analysis and segmentation and understanding methods of influence on the consumer behaviour¹. And it’s all being monitored closely to determine the Return on Marketing Investment². Nowadays the ‘Mad Men’ has more or less turned into ‘Math Men’.

Star Wars and Master Data Management. That’s right, your two favorite topics in one place!

Author: Peter Krensky, Research Analyst, Aberdeen Group

Author: Andy Hayler, Co-Founder and CEO, The Information Difference