Attributes

Attributes are the equivalent of puzzle pieces, which, when pulled together, form a complete picture of a record. In the software, attributes provide demographic information about a record. Examples of record attributes include name, phone number, address, Social Security or other identifier numbers, or date of birth for individual persons. In the case of objects, examples can include company name, location, part numbers, or part manufacturer. As a whole, attributes define a record (such as, John Q. Public, 1043 W. Easy Street, Phoenix AZ).

Attributes that are stored in the database are typically a copy of the attribute values stored in a source system. Supplemental attributes are record attributes that are stored and maintained only in the database. In normal implementations, once a record is merged or logically deleted, their attributes cannot be modified. Additionally, attributes that are in a shadow state cannot be modified. However, if an attribute is defined as “controlled,” and thus is independent of a source system, the usual attribute validation does not apply, and modification is allowed. Supplemental attributes are used mainly in concert with data remediation efforts. However, customers outside the realm of remediation may also identify attributes that are specific to the software that are not stored in a source system.

In most implementations, sources that communicate with the software store a copy of their data in the database. However, there are certain situations where data might be useful when reviewing records, but—for a variety of reasons—not required for comparison or approved for storage in any database other than the original source. The software can retrieve such information from external sources for temporary display in the applications. These external attributes are not stored in the database, nor do they participate in the derivation, comparison, and linking process. As well, these attributes cannot be modified by an application. An example of external attributes might be a credit score or a credit limit.