The Future of MDM in 2010 and Beyond – A simple business view

Mar 26, 2010 by Charles Blyth

In a recent post on my blog entitled “I need a Solution” I wrote/ranted about the current spate of MDM by-outs in the industry specifically Informatica buying Syperian and IBM buying Initiate Systems.

That post came from me having being mulling over the future of MDM for a while, looking for the ‘next big thing’ predominately in an attempt to keep at the leading edge of the MDM sword, ensuring that I keep myself and my team on their toes. Out of all the doodles and whiteboard scribblings I came up with one clear observation.

“I need a solution”

It was interesting to me how that specific blog post garnered a number of comments agreeing with and adding to what I had said. Not only was that reassuring, that I had written something that people agreed with, but it showed that the provision of a “Solution” is what we want in the MDM world.

Subsequently, for someone like me, it is very tempting to get on my soapbox and bash my chest claiming “See I told you, it’s not about the technology!!”

But we all know that that is not strictly true. Technology is a key part of any solution, a critical enabler in success.

Dear Charles – What does MDM Cost?

Jan 29, 2010 by Charles Blyth

‘What does MDM Cost?’

It’s a question I get asked frequently when I talk about the business success and ROI that can and have been gained through MDM deployments.

To be honest, it is also a common question put to software vendors by prospects and other interested parties.

And the common, and understandably vague, answer:

‘How long is a piece of string?’

You can turn that question around.
It’s not about what MDM Costs, it’s about the benefits you can gain from MDM.  If you get the benefits case right, the cost becomes and ‘no-brainer’.

All in, it’s about the cost of NOT doing MDM rather than the cost of doing MDM.

What is a MDM Strategy

Jan 15, 2010 by Charles Blyth

In my bio I rather boldly refer to myself as a specialist in MDM strategy definition and implementation.  And strangely enough I often get people asking me what a MDM strategy is.

In my reply I find the need to provide my view on what a strategy is, and what it isn’t. And then align that with the MDM world. I regularly have to persuade people that a strategy is not the means and methods to delivering a single objective and that it is far more extensive in nature.

My favorite quote on strategy is from Sun Tzu:

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved

Finding a home for MDM

Dec 18, 2009 by Charles Blyth

A couple of months ago Tony Fisher asked me a question, “Does MDM belong in Business Intelligence?” To be honest, I think Tony knew the answer, however I’m not sure I did, and it has been bugging me ever since!

Now, there is a reason for that. In my role as Head of Business Intelligence, I manage the MDM organization for our group of companies. If MDM doesn’t belong in Business Intelligence, then where does it belong? And why am I ‘doing MDM’?

Where should MDM live?

Hello from the MDM Front Line

Dec 11, 2009 by Charles Blyth

Wow, look where I am! It is a great honor for me to be here amongst such esteemed colleagues.

So, why am I here?

It’s a bit of a surprise really, considering that I started an MDM blog series earlier this year entitled ‘MDM – It’s not about the Technology!’, I am surprised the folks at DataFlux would let me anywhere near their Community of Experts! However, I think it is testament to DataFlux’s approach to this community that they have let me on here. As Jim Harris mentioned in his opening post here, I have always found the approach DataFlux take to this corporate blog very refreshing, I have never been asked to ‘click on this link for more information’ and none of the members of this community are DataFlux employees, it has proved a great source of information for me over the last few years.

I feel very humbled to be here.

A bit about me – with a few hints at what to expect