Glossary

What is Data Cleansing?

What does Data Cleansing mean in MRO and ERP systems?

Data Cleansing is the process of detecting and correcting errors, duplicates, and inconsistencies in large datasets. In the context of spare parts and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations), it refers to preparing and improving data on equipment, materials, and spares so it can be trusted and used effectively in enterprise systems such as SAP, Maximo, or IFS.

For asset-intensive industries, poor-quality spare parts data often leads to inefficiencies: duplicate entries, incorrect descriptions, mismatched supplier information, or inconsistent naming conventions. Data Cleansing ensures that information is standardized, complete, and aligned with corporate or industry standards.

Key steps in Data Cleansing

  1. Error detection – Identifying missing values, typos, and invalid codes.
  2. De-duplication – Removing or merging duplicate spare parts entries.
  3. Standardization – Applying consistent naming rules, units of measure, and classification.
  4. Validation – Cross-checking supplier references, manufacturer part numbers, and specifications.
  5. Enrichment – Adding missing attributes such as material group, UNSPSC codes, or technical characteristics.

Why Data Cleansing is critical for asset-intensive industries

Clean and reliable data is the foundation for efficient procurement, maintenance, and inventory management. Without it, ERP and CMMS implementations suffer from inaccurate stock levels, increased downtime, and higher operational costs.

By cleansing spare parts and MRO data before migration into systems like SAP S/4HANA or Maximo, companies can:

  • Reduce duplicate stock and excess inventory.
  • Ensure accurate spare parts availability for maintenance teams.
  • Improve procurement efficiency through standardized supplier data.
  • Enable advanced analytics, digital twins, and predictive maintenance.

Sharecat Data Services specializes in MRO Data Cleansing, helping asset-intensive companies standardize and enrich their spare parts data at scale. With structured methodologies and proprietary tools, Sharecat ensures that ERP and CMMS systems are populated with clean, trusted, and business-ready data.