Learn how MDM transforms spare parts data into a strategic asset, cutting costs, boosting uptime, and ensuring operational reliability.
Is Your Spare Parts Inventory Costing You More Than It Should?
You’ve got a production line waiting. Maintenance is on standby. The ERP shows the spare part is in stock, but no one can find it. Or worse, it’s the wrong spec. This is the silent pain in asset-heavy industries.
The real issue? Disorganized, duplicated, and outdated spare parts data. The solution? Master Data Management (MDM), not just for IT, but as a core business strategy for spare parts optimization.
What Is MDM for Spare Parts Optimization?
MDM (Master Data Management) is the process of creating a single, reliable source of truth for critical business data. When applied to spare parts, MDM goes beyond cleaning your material master. It drives operational efficiency.
It enables teams to:
Identify and access the right part, the first time
Reduce inventory bloat and working capital
Minimize delays caused by inconsistent or missing data
Improve procurement decisions with standardized vendor data
“When our pump failed offshore, we had the part in stock but listed under a different name. That downtime cost over $1Million. MDM would have prevented it.” — Maintenance Manager, Offshore Operations, UAE
These aren’t just data issues; they’re downtime, spend, and safety issues.
How MDM Fixes the Problem: A Step-by-Step View
1. Standardized Naming
No more guessing between “Butterfly Valve 6in SS” and “VALVE, SS, 6”. MDM applies a consistent, taxonomy-driven naming convention across systems and sites.
2. OEM & Manufacturer Data Enrichment
Linking parts to manufacturers ensures accuracy, traceability, and easier reordering, even for aging or obsolete equipment.
3. Deduplication
Using AI, MDM tools flag and merge duplicate entries across locations freeing up inventory and reducing redundancy.
4. Asset-Spare Mapping
Tying parts to specific equipment and BOMs means faster maintenance and fewer mistakes during breakdowns.
5. Vendor Normalization
By consolidating vendor records, MDM gives procurement a clearer picture of spend and opportunities to negotiate better contracts.
CODASOL’s PROSOL: Built for Spare Parts Complexity
CODASOL’s flagship MDM platform, PROSOL, is engineered for the complexities of MRO and spare parts data. It integrates seamlessly with your ERP—while delivering:
Industry-specific templates (e.g., ISO 14224)
Intelligent deduplication and auto-classification
Real-time dashboards for inventory visibility
Custom workflows for governance and approvals
“We unified 60,000 materials across six sites with PROSOL. The visibility alone improved our maintenance readiness and spare parts planning overnight.” — Head of Supply Chain, Energy Company, Qatar
Q1. How much of our inventory is typically duplicated? Most organizations find 10–25% duplication. MDM tools can detect and cleanse this quickly.
Q2. Can MDM integrate with SAP PM or IBM Maximo? Yes. Modern platforms like PROSOL offer pre-built connectors and API-based integrations.
Q3. What’s the first step? Start with a material master audit. It highlights duplicates, gaps, and opportunities.
Q4. Do we need to hire a full-time data team? Not necessarily. Many companies partner with MDM specialists like CODASOL for setup and managed governance.
Q5. Is MDM only for manufacturing? No. It’s just as essential for energy, marine, defense, healthcare, and infrastructure-heavy government bodies.
In today’s complex, asset-reliant industries, spare parts aren’t just supplies, they’re the lifeblood of operations.
If your material master is fragmented, your uptime is at risk. MDM for spare parts optimization ensures accuracy, visibility, and readiness, transforming data from a liability into an operational asset.
Now’s the time to stop firefighting and start optimizing.
Want to see what clean spare parts data looks like in action? Let us walk you through a real-world transformation.
