Hi SAP Community
I supported this project as SAP Trusted Advisor and Focus TQM: This is what we built, and what I took away from it:
In September 2026, a leading retail group went live with SAP MDG (Cloud-Ready Mode). Not a pilot, not a proof of concept!: A full production go-live, replacing a legacy system that had reached its limits.
What made this project particularly interesting was the technology choice: the customer implemented SAP MDG in Cloud Ready Mode, the newest MDG innovation mode that bets fully on the latest SAP stack and Clean Core. The customer is among the early adopters of this Cloud Ready Mode.
The decision wasn't just about replacing software. The customer had clear requirements around data quality, compliance, and long-term maintainability. As the Head of Master Data put it the real question was never “Does it work?” but “Is it future-proof?”. That framing shaped the entire project.
The team was a mix of customer business stakeholders, the implementation partner, and SAP. I was involved on the SAP side as Trusted Advisor and/or Solution expert. The project ran on time and without major disruptions, which (…let's be honest..) is not always a given in this space.
Key Innovations Introduced
Beyond replacing the old system, the project introduced capabilities that deliver measurable value day-to-day:
- The Dun & Bradstreet integration stands out. Native enrichment directly in MDG means business partner data is cleaner from the start and the creation process is faster. Not a workaround, not a custom interface! – a standard integration that works. SAP MDG enables this through the Flexible Data Provider Integration, introduced with version 2025. The required CPI mappings were handled by a dedicated CPI expert.
- DQM derivations were another real win. Business rules automatically populate default values based on existing data, cutting down manual effort significantly. With a small enhancement on SAP BTP, the result of the derivations are visible to the requestor of the master data object as a task in his Inbox.
- Rule-based SAP BTP workflow with a rule-based agent and flow determination to support the requirements of the customer for a flexible approval/governance process.
- And from an architecture perspective: MDG co-deployed on the existing S/4HANA system keeps the landscape clean and reduces TCO considerably compared to a standalone setup.
Where Things Could Go Next
With Cloud Ready Mode now in place, the foundation is set for future enhancements. Possible directions include:
- AI-powered process automation to further increase process performance and user satisfaction
- Federated governance across a broader group structure, extending the model beyond the initial scope
- Continuous data quality improvements building on the existing DQM and D&B foundation
What Was Achieved and What Was Learned
The project showed that master data governance is far more than a software implementation: It is also organizational development. My key findings at a glance:
- Transparent, trustworthy business partner data as the foundation for quality and compliance
- Improved data quality and processes: not just “get clean”, but “stay clean”
- Reduced complexity through standardization and Clean Core (direct reduction in operating costs)
- Native D&B enrichment is a real, measurable added value
- Centralization does not automatically solve governance: What matters is the right mix of centralization and federation
- “Keep it simple” – complexity is the greatest enemy of sustainable master data governance
- MDG Cloud Ready Mode is production-ready. It's more flexible and extensible than many people think..
The customer is very satisfied with the project and the SAP software — and has chosen to present it as a success story at the DSAG Annual Congress 2026. (see https://lnkd.in/p/eBTGCC5i)
best regards
Steffen
