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IBM InfoSphere MDM vs IBM Master Data Management on Cloud vs Microsoft MDS comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Mindshare comparison

Master Data Management (MDM) Software
Cloud Master Data Management (MDM) Solutions
Master Data Management (MDM) Software
 

Featured Reviews

SoumikDolui - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides inbuilt data model and good matching engine
It's a tough tool for developers. Right now in the market, I think Informatica MDM is number one and is used a lot. IBM MDM was developed by some other company and IBM developed it more. There are definitely some flaws. The tool is difficult to understand from a customer perspective and for developers. Generally, customers can understand Informatica MDM and its functionality easily. If a developer is facing issues with IBM MDM, then a customer will definitely not understand most of the functionality. That is the main concern. IBM is introducing some Next-Gen MDM, where they are using a lot of current technologies and machine learning. Most of the problems we may be facing right now are probably solved in that version.
reviewer1507302 - PeerSpot reviewer
Effective service consolidation, new features frequent added, and beneficial centralized management
My advice to others would be IBM Master Data Management on Cloud should be considered as one of the solutions in comparison with other cloud providers in that area. Compare other solutions, such as Azure or AWS Endure data management. Based on some of the projects that we have had most customers have been extremely satisfied, I rate IBM Master Data Management on Cloud a nine out of ten.
Satyam Saxena - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhanced data management and cost effective with flexible integration capabilities
If Microsoft MDS were part of Azure, it would be significantly more helpful. Additionally, integrating fuzzy duplication within MDS itself, rather than relying on SSIS, would streamline operations. The current requirement to store data in Azure tables after processing it in MDS, due to its lack of direct Azure integration, is a drawback.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The features that are most valuable are the governance, the end-profiling and the ETL which allows you to see the metadata repositories."
"There are not really many areas of the product that need improvement because the product stays up-to-date with data management needs."
"When users update their information on one product, the data is sent to a database. My approach was to maintain a master data record, ensuring that each platform loads the latest updated record. Instead of having three separate records, the system keeps one master data record, storing the historical records for reference."
"The advantage is that the matching engine is very good, so that's why customers generally prefer it. From the inbuilt data model perspective, IBM MDM is good."
"IBM Master Data Management on Cloud has been valuable because it has helped in the consolidation of services and lots of the cost of administering and centralizing all the management and automation. Additionally, new features are frequently added."
"The ease of use is valuable."
"Technical support is very good."
"It's very easy to use."
"More generic related things can be included in the services."
"What I like about Microsoft, is that it has a huge database with many users."
"The backup and restore functionality are the solution's most valuable aspects."
"The most valuable feature is the administration console."
"One of the main features I have found useful is the integration with Azure active directory."
 

Cons

"The product is really only created for large organizations."
"The tool is difficult to understand from a customer perspective and for developers."
"We also want better cloud integration, so we could do things in the cloud if we needed to. This would be a good feature to add in a future release."
"IBM InfoSphere MDM's UI is complicated. It also needs to improve its on-prem configuration."
"The solution is continually being improved by adding features. They should continue to improve the solution in the future."
"It would be a better option to have an on-cloud version."
"The solution could be better integrated into Microsoft's other products."
"The stability could be improved."
"Stability can be fragile at times. If you are not attentive or make a mistake, it can cause problems."
"There are occasions when the solution maintains SD and we get duplications of MDS."
"From my understanding, MS, as of 2021, will not maintain the product going forward."
"If Microsoft MDS were part of Azure, it would be significantly more helpful."
"Microsoft MDS' language should be simple so everyone can use it easily."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It may be costly for small organizations but adds value for large organizations with demanding workflows."
Information not available
"With Microsoft, we buy everything though an agreement, so we purchase volume licensing every year."
"The pricing of this solution is good."
"SAP is more expensive than Microsoft."
"I would like to see better pricing."
"MDS is a part of the SQL Server enterprise license. I am not aware of any additional costs."
"Microsoft MDS is an expensive solution."
"Product licensing is very complicated. It would be helpful to have an online calculator to estimate the cost of a license."
"The solution does require a license and we have enterprise licenses."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
26%
Healthcare Company
12%
Computer Software Company
6%
Manufacturing Company
6%
No data available
Computer Software Company
14%
Financial Services Firm
13%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Healthcare Company
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM InfoSphere MDM?
When users update their information on one product, the data is sent to a database. My approach was to maintain a mas...
What needs improvement with IBM InfoSphere MDM?
IBM InfoSphere MDM's UI is complicated. It also needs to improve its on-prem configuration.
What is your primary use case for IBM InfoSphere MDM?
When users update their information on one product, the data is sent to a database. My approach was to maintain a mas...
Ask a question
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What do you like most about Microsoft MDS?
More generic related things can be included in the services.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft MDS?
Microsoft MDS is free. Currently, there is no pricing concern with the tool.
What needs improvement with Microsoft MDS?
Microsoft MDS is outdated and lacks modern capabilities. It is too slow and does not support automated mapping or AI-...
 

Also Known As

InfoSphere MDM, InfoSphere Master Data Management
No data available
Microsoft Master Data Services, Microsoft MDM, Microsoft SQL Server Master Data Services, MS MDS
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

L'Oreal S.A., Kingland Systems, Oncor, Farmaceuticos Maypo, Volkswagen Financial Services
Zions Bancorporation, London Borough of Camden, Government of Odisha, 1-800-Flowers.com, Nordea Bank, Sonoma County, California, Localiza
ETA a.s., Apeejay Surrendra Group, Blue Star Infotech, Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, New Belgium Brewing
Find out what your peers are saying about SAP, TIBCO, Microsoft and others in Master Data Management (MDM) Software. Updated: July 2025.
864,574 professionals have used our research since 2012.