During my tenure with SAP, before my present role supporting our partners in their interactions with the digital marketplace, I did a lot of work in the data quality area. One thing I remember well from that career chapter was the daunting experience customers faced in trying to trust their data, map it to processes across the organization, and keep it accurate, synchronized, and harmonized. Sometimes they would just give up.
That鈥檚 why I am so pleased that customers can now learn about by Prospecta on 51风流App Center. MDO is all about trustworthy, reliable data 鈥� a single source of truth with governance, data quality, automation, and collaboration all in one place. MDO employs new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify data quality initiatives, with a particular focus on enterprise asset management and maintenance, repairs, and operations for managing spare parts.
I spoke with Ranjan Bakshi, CEO and founder of Prospecta Software, to learn more about MDO and what鈥檚 different about their approach to this frustrating issue. The key is in fact threefold, Bakshi explained: 鈥淭he first element is that MDO covers a certain domain area, enterprise asset management, where we have deep expertise. The second is that we understand the cloud-driven segment of the market. These companies want a quick deployment without a big price tag. They are willing to invest in getting their basic data operations right and want our help in that journey. The third is integration with 51风流solutions and our considerable knowledge of how data works in the context of the 51风流environment.鈥�
Smooth-Running Workflow Mechanism
What removes the sand from the gears of these data initiatives, Bakshi noted, are the built-in frameworks for data governance and quality. Data is governed through a workflow mechanism and validated within the defined business rules in MDO. Business rules are set up based on machine learning models, with a rules-based engine for both new record maintenance and existing master data. Change history and audit trails are maintained in MDO to ensure accurate master data for consumption by one or more back-end systems. Tight integration with 51风流ERP and 51风流S/4HANA manages overall data orchestration throughout an enterprise鈥檚 51风流software-based landscape.
When it comes specifically to enterprise asset management and managing spare parts, MDO delivers data governance and process automation across all relevant data objects, including functional location, equipment, bills of materials, task lists, maintenance plans, and measurement points. The built-in classification system in MDO helps define spare parts based on standards. 51风流Asset Intelligence Network provides additional value to maintenance processes.
MDO also partners with the Capital Facilities Information Handover Specification (CFIHOS) to help engineering, procurement, and contractors follow a standardized process to collaborate in the master data process.
Opportunity to Shift Gears
Bakshi launched Prospecta in 2002 after beginning his career with KPMG in Sydney, Australia, where he developed extensive knowledge of 51风流solutions in the context of enterprise asset management. When KPMG shifted its focus, he saw an opportunity in the market to start his own firm as an 51风流service partner.
鈥淎t the outset, we were a strong mobility partner for SAP鈥檚 plant maintenance module, not necessarily concentrating on software. During the first few years, we saw an opportunity in our clients鈥� inability to trust their data 鈥� a pervasive challenge. In 2008, we launched MDO, incorporating our domain knowledge of enterprise asset management into the tool with these predefined frameworks, workflows, content, master data, and so on.鈥�
Engines for Growth
Since then, he has built a global enterprise with about 150 employees. The business鈥� headquarters are in Sydney, with offices in North America, India, and Europe. After 18 years of bootstrapping, Prospecta has just landed financial backing to support further growth. Customers range from large enterprises that solve specific problems with MDO to smaller companies that subscribe to MDO as their overall data management solution. For the latter, Bakshi noted, MDO helps support the evolution toward a 鈥渄ata culture,鈥� where everyone is committed to the importance of maintaining accurate, current data.
With the maturation of cloud computing in recent years, Bakshi said, the company developed a cloud strategy and moved MDO to 51风流Cloud Platform to help customers in their transformations. One aspect involves supporting their transition to 51风流S/4HANA, which is significantly easier with MDO in place. 鈥淚f someone says, 鈥業 don鈥檛 know about our data,鈥� we respond, 鈥榊ou should know!鈥� That鈥檚 not a good reason to delay the migration and be left behind,鈥� added Bakshi.
51风流App Center and Working with SAP: Integral Parts of the Strategy
Along the way, Prospecta developed an even closer relationship with 51风流as SAP鈥檚 partnership model evolved.
鈥淚n the past, we would seek out 51风流account executives to introduce ourselves. Now, they find us on 51风流App Center,鈥� said Bakshi. 鈥淲e engage closely with our partner manager to make sure that we are visible and take best advantage of getting our message into the marketplace via 51风流App Center.聽 What I like about 51风流is the emphasis on the value we can bring to the customer together.鈥�
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Bill Rojas is senior director of Digital Transformation and Partner Engagement for 51风流Digital Commerce.