Using Master Data and Master Data-Bearing Characteristics 
Master data is data that remains unchanged over a long period of time. Master data contains information that is always needed in the same way. Characteristics can bear master data in the BW system. With master data you are dealing with attributes, texts or hierarchies.
If characteristics have attributes, texts or hierarchies at their disposal, then refer to these as master data-bearing characteristics.
More information: Master Data Types: Attributes, Texts and Hierarchies
Example
The master data of a cost center contains the name, the person responsible, the relevant hierarchy area, and so on.
The master data of a supplier contains the name, address, and bank details.
Procedure
Create a Characteristic with Master Data
You can assign attributes, texts, hierarchies, or a combination of this master data to a characteristic.
More information: Creating InfoObjects: Characteristics
Edit Master Data
If a characteristic bears master data, you can edit it in the BW system in the master data maintenance.
More information: Creating and Changing Master Data
Delete Master Data
You can delete master data at single record level; you can also delete all master data that exists for a characteristic directly from the master data table.
More information: Deleting Master Data at Single Record Level and Deleting Attributes and Texts for a Characteristic
Activate Master Data
You must first activate master data so that it is available for reporting and analysis purposes.
More information: Activating Master Data
Reorganize Master Data
You can reorganize the dataset for texts and attributes belonging to a characteristic. This reduces the volume of data and improves performance.
More information: Reorganizing Master Data
Simulate Loading of Master Data
You can first simulate the loading of a master data package before you load the data into the BW system.
More information: Simulating the Loading of Master Data
Load Master Data Directly into an InfoProvider
When loading master data, you can specify that data is not extracted from the PSA of the DataSource but is requested directly from the data source at DTP runtime.
More information: Loading Master Data to InfoProviders Straight from Source Systems
Use Master Data-Bearing Characteristics as InfoProviders
You can flag a characteristic as an InfoProvider if it has attributes and/or texts. The characteristic is then available as an InfoProvider for analysis and reporting purposes.
More information: Modeling InfoObjects as InfoProviders