A conceptual data model (CDM) helps you analyze the conceptual structure of an information system, to identify the principal entities to be represented, their attributes, and the relationships between them. A CDM is more abstract than a logical (LDM) or physical (PDM) data model.
A CDM allows you to:
Represent the organization of data in a graphic format to create Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD).
Verify the validity of data design.
Generate a Logical Data Model (LDM), a Physical Data Model (PDM) or an Object-Oriented Model (OOM), which specifies an object representation of the CDM using the UML standard.
To create a CDM, see Creating a Data Model. For detailed information about conceptual diagrams, see Conceptual Diagrams.