SAP Master Data Integration (MDI) is a central hub on SAP Business Technology Platform that replicates and synchronizes master data, such as Business Partners, across SAP's Intelligent Suite cloud applications using standard business object models. It is not deprecated, but SAP has reworked its licensing model, so new customers typically access it differently than they could a few years ago.
Master data is data that is central to an organization's operations. It is used across the organization to give an accurate, consistent view of customers, products, employees and other entities, and it is often stored in a single database or master data management system so all users work from the same data. This guide explains what SAP MDI actually does, how it differs from SAP Master Data Governance, and what to check before you plan a project around it.
SAP MDI is a data management service that helps organizations synchronize master data across their SAP Intelligent Suite landscape, such as S/4HANA Cloud, SuccessFactors, SAP Customer Experience (C4C) and SAP Field Service Management. It lets companies identify, integrate and harmonize data across these systems using prebuilt, standard business object models, which keeps data consistent without custom field mapping in most standard scenarios.
MDI centers on a few core capabilities: replicating master data changes between systems, key mapping between the different ID formats each system uses, and filtering which objects and fields replicate through the SAP Business Data Orchestration app. This makes MDI a strong fit when your landscape is mostly SAP cloud applications that already support MDI natively.
If your integration needs go beyond MDI's standard object models, for example custom field mapping or connecting significant non-SAP systems, SAP Integration Suite's Cloud Integration capability, including the MDI adapter, is the tool for that broader work.
SAP MDI gives a single view of master data across connected systems, so users work with consistent data without building custom point-to-point integrations for each pair of systems.
MDI replicates master data changes between two or more connected clients, keeping business objects such as Business Partners in sync as they change in any source system.
Since each connected system may use a different ID for the same business object, MDI maintains key mappings so systems can reference the same real-world entity correctly.
The SAP Business Data Orchestration app lets you configure filters that control exactly which objects and fields replicate, so you do not synchronize more data than a given system needs.
MDI automatically synchronizes data between connected sources, so teams do not need to manually update each system when a master data record changes.
MDI lets you extend supported master data objects with additional entities and fields to meet business needs that go beyond the standard object model.
Businesses often wonder about the difference between these two solutions. The table below summarizes how MDI, MDG and SAP Integration Suite compare.
Solution | What it does | Best fit |
SAP Master Data Integration (MDI) | Central hub on SAP BTP that replicates and synchronizes master data (such as Business Partners) across SAP Intelligent Suite applications using standard, prebuilt business object models | Landscapes built mostly on SAP cloud LoB applications (S/4HANA Cloud, SuccessFactors, C4C, Field Service Management, etc.) |
SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) | Lets you centrally create, govern and validate master data quality with workflow-based approval | Organizations that need formal governance, data stewardship and quality rules before data is used |
SAP Integration Suite with the MDI adapter or Cloud Integration | General-purpose integration platform; connects SAP and non-SAP systems, including custom field mapping | Landscapes that need custom mapping logic or include significant non-SAP systems |
SAP Master Data Governance (SAP MDG) is an SAP solution used to centrally create, organize and govern master data quality, typically with workflow-based approval. SAP Master Data Integration (MDI) is based on a data model built to work with the SAP Intelligent Suite and acts as a complementary SAP cloud service, focused on replication and synchronization rather than governance workflows.
How to Implement EDI with SAP Integration Suite
No. SAP has confirmed MDI is actively developed and not deprecated. What changed is the licensing model: MDI is no longer sold through the old CPEA license path for new customers, so confirm current licensing with SAP.
No. MDI focuses on replicating and synchronizing master data across SAP Intelligent Suite applications. MDG focuses on governing data quality through workflow-based creation and approval. Many organizations use both together.
MDI is built around SAP's standard business object models for the Intelligent Suite. For non-SAP systems or custom mapping needs, SAP Integration Suite (including the MDI adapter) is the more flexible option.
It is the app you use to configure filters that control which master data objects and fields replicate through MDI, so you control the scope of what synchronizes between systems.
SAP Master Data Integration is a still-active, purpose-built hub for replicating master data across SAP's Intelligent Suite applications, not a general-purpose MDM platform. Confirm your licensing path and whether your landscape fits MDI's standard object models before you scope a project. For support with your SAP MDI or master data project, contact MDP Group.
SAP Integration Team Lead
Hasan Fatih Ekşioğlu is an integration expert in SAP PI/PO/CPI. As the Integration Team Leader at MDP Group, he leads projects focused on the integration of SAP, non-SAP, and third-party systems.
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