- Record type
- The software can be configured to operate in multiple types of
business environments, such as, healthcare, retail, and banking to
name a few. The data managed in an organization determines the record
type (also called “record object”). Record types can be associated
with specific algorithms designed to fit the data requirements. Examples
of record types include: Person, Provider, Guest, and Organization. Depending
on business needs, an organization can implement multiple record types
and associated algorithms (for example, Person and Provider in healthcare
enterprises or Organization and Contacts in commercial environments).
- Record
- A record is a set of demographic information that represents
one individual (for example, a person) or object (for example, a car, machine
part, or organization). A record object is the representation of what
a single source system asserts to be true about an individual or thing.
An entity can potentially have multiple records across multiple source
systems.
Note: The flexibility of the software enables record
types/records to be configured for data representing something other
than “people-related” data. For example, the software can be configured for use in equipment manufacturing environments, product distribution warehouses, and so on.
For discussion and illustration purposes, this manual uses “people”
record types/records.
- Entity
- An entity is defined as “something that exists as a particular
and discrete unit.” In terms of identity management, an entity is
the logical relationship between two or more records. Entities are
represented in the IBM® Initiate® Master Data Service software
environment as records sharing an Enterprise ID. An entity is also
called a “linkage set.” There can be an unlimited number of records
in an entity or linkage set.
- Entity type
An entity type allows for distinction between
the way records are viewed and linked within IBM Initiate Master Data Service software.
Each entity type has a specific algorithm configuration. The following
lists some examples of how entities can be configured:
- Identity—an individual. Records in an identity
entity (multiple records representing the same person) are linked
based on attribute similarity and share a common Enterprise ID.
- Household—multiple individuals who are associated
with the same physical location, and share common attributes of home
address and phone number (for example, family records, non-family records sharing
a household). Records within a household entity share a common Enterprise
ID, just as records of an identity entity.
- Organization—multiple individuals who are
associated with a single organization (for example, employees of
a company or students at a university). Records of an organization
entity also share a common Enterprise ID.
- Pivot Record/Entity
- The pivot record/entity is what the search was initiated with. You
can change the pivot record/entity at any time by moving it to a new
view, or by double-clicking another item from within the Relationship View.
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management, Version 10.1