We distinguish 3 main scenarios.
Content Consolidation: This is the scenario of choice when it is necessary to consolidate data and objects from different systems.
Features:
Cleanse, normalize data
Aggregate, search, and cross reference data from connected systems
Find duplicates
Example: Business-wide analysis (e.g., global spend analysis), creation of central catalogs (e.g., of supplier products)

Master Data Harmonization: It is often necessary also to enable the maintenance and consistent distribution of global attributes and to process and distribute information centrally. This ensures
that all systems are supplied with the same global attributes after distribution, and that business processes can be processed securely. The distributed objects can be provided with additional
attribute values in the target systems.
Features:
All of the Content Consolidation scenario
PLUS
Central management and distribution of global attributes Post-distribution editing in client systems Controlled distribution of local changes Example: Business partner administration; central provision of sales articles; definition and administration of non-variable parts.

Central Data Maintenance: Maintaining a subset of objects or attributes is sometimes not sufficient. Objects that logically belong together must be changed and distributed together.
Features:
All of the Content Consolidation scenario PLUS
All of the Master Data Harmonization scenario PLUS
Central control and management of master data information
One-stop data maintenance
Example: Definition of synergy parts; central product data pool supplying product data to
multiple locations for production, assembly, sales and distribution