The opening address by Mr S Zungu (SABS) highlighted the importance of quality Master Data and set the tone for the symposium. Mr Zungu invited business representatives to join and actively participate in the SABS/ISO technical committees looking after Data Quality. The main speaker, Mr Peter Benson (CEO – ECCMA) addressed the audience with the topic “Data Quality – An international challenge”. Regardless of continent, country, culture, language or company, data quality remains one of the most underestimated problem areas facing decision makers today. Decisions are made on incorrect data, with dire consequences. Purchases are made on incorrect data, resulting in project delays. Maintenance is performed using incorrect data, resulting in plant stoppages. Master data capturing, cleaning and maintenance can result in huge cost savings for any corporate environment. The foundation of any master data activities, is the data standard that’s been utilised. The eOTD and ISO are such standards, it’s open and available to anybody. It is based on the latest technologies and most proven models in the world. The way forward in terms of the technical solutions and models was presented with specific focus on how it must fit into company’s master data strategies

One of the strongest messages that came out of the symposium is the fact that master data acquisition has to take place already at plant erection or extension phases – also referring to as cataloguing at source. The current way of doing, where master data structuring has to play catch-up all the time, has to change. It is important that decision makers in organisations start to realise that master data in actual fact has tremendous value and is not only an unnecessary burden. The lack of quality master data on the other hand, can lead to organisations loosing a lot of money and not having control over their spend.

Government and Industry has been working totally separate for many years and the time has come for them to take hands in the creation and maintenance of quality master data. Dr SHF de Jager presented a consolidated model where government and industry can both benefit from the combined efforts that goes into the creation and maintenance of quality master data, and still allow for Defence Force requirements for NATO master data.

Some valuable business cases were presented by numerous speakers, highligting the benefits that can be reaped by departing on this data quality journey. Insights into the master data strategies of different companies were given, with detail of what was done till now and the benefits realised, as well as the roadmap forward and the potential benefits. One of the success stories presented was the implementation of a single corporate catalogue in a multi-lingual environment. Two presentations were made addressing the importance of quality master data in the e-tendering process.