Customer Data Integration

Customer data integration is a way of sharing or ensuring that all customer information can be accessed by multiple business lines, offices, or businesses in an efficient manner. Customer data integration is often referred to as CDI, but the two terms can be used interchangeably.  With companies growing, merging, and being acquired all the time, customer data integration is quite prevalent. Businesses that have more than one location, business stream, or providers often use customer data integration to make sure that they have a complete client history.  CDI ensures that the business has access to all records and that the customer has the very best experience possible.  Customer data integration benefits everyone in business, ensuring that everyone has all of the information that is needed at the moment that it is needed.

Customer Data Integration Explained

Customer data integration is defined as the combination of technology, processes, and services that create and maintain accurate representations of a customer.  Customer data integration is used to share information about a customer over multiple channels, business lines, and enterprises.  CDI is generally used when there are multiple sources of associated data in different systems and databases.

Customer Data Integration and Master Data Management

Most people closely associated customer data integration with Master Data Management, as customer data integration allows companies to access information describing everything that has been recorded about a customer.  Customer data integration provides important information that is unique to each customer; in addition, it also ensures that the business is able to differentiate one customer from another.  In short, customer data integration ensures that the business is able to maintain accurate records on each customer, regardless of how similar they may seem.  CDI helps the typical business provide each business line with the information that is necessary about each customer.

Customer Data Integration a Bonus for the Customer and Business

Customer data integration is not only advantageous for the business; it is also good for the customer.  Many customers are uneasy with the notion of customer data integration because of concerns over privacy. Customer data integration however can provide for significantly faster and better customer experiences.  Through CDI the customer is able to call any business or business line associated with their primary company without having to spend countless cycles explaining the same concept. 

Customer Data Integration and Data Alignment

The benefits of CDI provide both customers and their vendors with a richer, more rewarding experience.  The benefits to the customer are in saved time and in a more rewarding interaction with the vendor, while the vendor benefits from significant cost savings.  Through tools that enable CDI organizations can, for the first time, truly begin to benefit from what is often referred to as a "360 degree" view of the customer, ultimately enabling the kind of customer service that all consumers seek every day.