Abgleich

Abgleich is a German noun meaning the act of aligning, balancing, or reconciling two things to ensure consistency. It derives from the verb abgleichen, which means to compare, adjust, or reconcile. In general use the term denotes a process that identifies and resolves differences between two data sets, inventories, plans, or records.

In accounting and administration, Abgleich refers to the comparison of actual figures against planned, budgeted, or recorded values. A common instance is the Soll-Ist-Abgleich (planned versus actual), used to monitor performance, control costs, and detect discrepancies for corrective action.

In information technology and data management, Abgleich describes data reconciliation or record matching. This includes comparing data from multiple sources, detecting duplicates, and merging or reconciling records to produce a consistent data set. Abgleich is a general concept in data integration, data quality, and master data management.

In logistics and inventory management the term is used for stock reconciliation, comparing physical counts with system records to identify shortages, surpluses, or data-entry errors that require adjustment. Abgleich activities are often supported by audit trails and documentation to ensure traceability.

Overall, Abgleich denotes a structured process aimed at eliminating inconsistencies between two representations of the same domain, whether financial, operational, or informational. See also reconciliation, data reconciliation, match, and record linkage.