In one embodiment, a system is provided for centrally managing core enterprise reference data associated with an enterprise. A centralized master repository contains the core enterprise reference data. An internal services framework coupled to the centralized master repository provides internal services for managing the core enterprise reference data within the centralized master repository, one or more of the internal services having direct access to the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository for management purposes. An infrastructure services layer coupled to the centralized master repository includes: (1) a back side data access layer that (a) provides bulk data transfers of core enterprise reference data between the centralized master repository and one or more external operational systems according to one or more enterprise-level business workflows, and (b) provides the external operational systems with indirect access, for operational purposes, to associated external operation services within the system that indirectly access the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository; and (2) a front side data access layer that (a) transfers control data from the external operational systems to the system to control operations of the system, and (b) provides the external operational systems with direct access to certain of the internal services that directly access the core enterprise reference data within the centralized core repository.