Data Term Definitions

Entity Resolution

Entity resolution is a data management technique that involves identifying and matching records that are the same logical entity—such as a person, company, or product—across multiple, disparate datasets.

What Is Entity Resolution?

Entity resolution, also known as entity linkage, record matching, or identity resolution, is a data management practice used to identify and match records that are the same—despite differences in spelling, formatting, associated attributes, and other discrepancies—across multiple data sources to create a golden record of key business entities. Entity resolution helps organizations overcome challenges related to duplicate data, data quality, decision-making, and regulatory compliance by reconciling records across and within datasets.

‍Resources

How AI-Powered Entity Resolution Delivers Golden Records

How Does Entity Resolution Work?

Entity resolution involves the process of scanning and normalizing enterprise data into a standard, consistent format in order to compare key data attributes and identify matches. Next, using techniques including deterministic, probabilistic, and/or fuzzy logic, likely matches are identified and clustered, and a score is typically assigned that indicates how well (or not) the records match.

‍

As a final part of the entity resolution process, each cluster of matched records is assigned a persistent ID and records with a high-confidence match are merged into a single golden record, establishing a unified view of the entity.

‍Resources

Golden Records 2.0: The AI-Native MDM Advantage

Entity Resolution: Build vs. Buy

‍

Why Is Entity Resolution Difficult?

Three main factors make entity resolution difficult: data fragmentation, including siloed, incomplete, and inaccurate records; contextual shifts such as changing business needs or a lack of external context; and operational barriers, which include inconsistent data quality and lack of scalability. Left unaddressed, these fragmented views compromise the data integrity needed to deliver better, more trustworthy insights, AI output, and business operations.

‍Resources

Solving the Complex Challenge of Entity Resolution at Scale

Key Takeaways: Entity Resolution

Entity resolution involves identifying and matching records that are the same across multiple data sources.
Entity resolution assigns a unique ID to matched records to ensure they are treated as one distinct entity going forward.
Entity resolution reduces duplicate data, improves data quality, increases efficiency, enhances decision-making, and supports regulatory compliance.
Obstacles to effective entity resolution include fragmented data, contextual changes, and operational barriers.

Entity Resolution FAQs

What business problems does entity resolution solve?

Entity resolution helps organizations overcome challenges stemming from redundant data, siloed data, poor data quality, and regulatory compliance.

How does AI-powered entity resolution differ from a rules-based approach?

AI-powered entity resolution combines fit-for-purpose AI, pre-trained ML models, and automated workflows to make the matching process faster, more efficient, and scalable as data grows and evolves. In contrast, traditional approaches rely on rules, which are difficult to scale and expensive to maintain.

How does Tamr’s AI-native approach to entity resolution improve matching accuracy?

Tamr automates the entire matching process, from initial scanning and smart comparison to labeling, scoring, and intelligent ranking, using advanced AI and probabilistic methods. LLM-based AI agents surface edge cases for curator review and suggest edits to golden records based on the creation of—or updates to—records. As a result, Tamr eliminates duplication, connects records, and delivers accurate, scalable, and explainable results for key business entities.

Related Data Terms

AI-Native Master Data Management (MDM)

A modern data mastering approach built and centered around AI.

Agentic Data Curation

Approach to data curation where AI agents analyze, explain, and resolve data issues.

Golden Records

Unified, shared, trusted views of business entity data across systems and sources.

Entity Resolution

Data management technique that identifies and matches records across systems.

See for yourself

Get a free, no-obligation, 30-minute demo of Tamr, and discover how our unique AI-native MDM solution can empower you to deliver data you can trust.

For more information, please view our privacy policy.