Entity Resolution
The short answer · 10 words
In short
Entity Resolution detects which records describe the same real entity.
Flow-alerta.cab (2026): Entity Resolution. https://flow-alerta.cab/en/glossar/entity-resolution. Editorially reviewed on: 10 October 2026.
How much detail would you like?
Practical
Clean entity assignment improves CRM, reporting, compliance and duplicate cleanup.
Hypothetical example: Customer bases from CRM and ERP are compared with comprehensible match rules.
SMEs can reduce duplicates, should provide for safe non-matches and check queues.
At a glance
- Core
- Rules or probabilistic models compare features and decide whether different spellings or sources belong together.
- Use
- Clean entity assignment improves CRM, reporting, compliance and duplicate cleanup.
- Example
- Hypothetical example: Customer bases from CRM and ERP are compared with comprehensible match rules.
- Limits
- Incorrect and missed mergers have different costs; thresholds, data protection and manual checks must fit the purpose.
In context
Questions about this term
Is Entity Resolution Just Fuzzy Matching?
No, it combines several signals and decision rules.
Can everything be automatically merged?
Not without controls.
All details and background
Rules or probabilistic models compare features and decide whether different spellings or sources belong together.
ELI5 – Explained simply
It recognizes that “M.” Müller GmbH" and "Mueller GmbH" can be the same company.
Why it matters in practice
Clean entity assignment improves CRM, reporting, compliance and duplicate cleanup.
Example
Hypothetical example: Customer bases from CRM and ERP are compared with comprehensible match rules.
Pitfalls and limits
- Incorrect and missed mergers have different costs; thresholds, data protection and manual checks must fit the purpose.
Origin & history
Fellegi and Sunter formalized 1969 probabilistic record linkage with decisions for match, non-match and unclear case.
Use in mid-sized companies
- SMEs can reduce duplicates, should provide for safe non-matches and check queues.
Related terms
- Record Linkage
- Fuzzy matching
- Master data
- Entity extraction
- Data quality
Matching Flow-alerta service
AI opportunity analysis & roadmapAI consulting: Examine the suitability, data and prerequisites of a possible use case on the subject of “entity resolution”.Matching tool / use case
View use casesUse Case: CRM and ERP doublet matching with review queueSources
Quellenprüfung: 10.10.2026. Definition und dokumentierte Einordnung abgeglichen; Beispiele beschreiben mögliche Anwendungen.
Editorially reviewed on: