Data reliability is about guaranteeing that core manufacturing data is secure, correct and complete wherever it is used throughout the enterprise. It is also about the meaning of that data being clearly understood everywhere it is used. Even if data is correct, ambiguous naming may well render it unusable simply because business users do not understand what the data means. Reliable, trustworthy data is therefore dependent on two things being in place for every manufacturing data item in use wherever that data is used. These are:

• Data Quality - i.e. actual data values being correct and complete
• Metadata Quality - i.e. commonly understood data definitions

This paper examines the impact of unreliable data on manufacturing companies. It then defines the requirements needed to guarantee data reliability in manufacturing and offers a practical approach to creating and governing that data. It then shows how you can get started in making trusted data available in to help improve operational efficiency, planning, inventory optimization, customer service, compliance and profitability.