Datasheet

13
Chapter 1: What’s in a Data Warehouse?
✓ Data: Facts and information about something
✓ Warehouse: A location or facility for storing goods and merchandise
Today’s data warehousing defined
Data warehousing is the coordinated, architected, and periodic copying of
data from various sources, both inside and outside the enterprise, into
an environment optimized for analytical and informational processing.
The keys to this definition for computer professionals are that the data
is copied (duplicated) in a controlled manner, and data that is copied
periodically (batch-oriented processing).
A broader, forward looking definition
A data warehouse system has the following characteristics:
✓ It provides centralization of corporate data assets.
✓ It’s contained in a well-managed environment.
✓ It has consistent and repeatable processes defined for loading data from
corporate applications.
✓ It’s built on an open and scalable architecture that can handle future
expansion of data.
✓ It provides tools that allow its users to effectively process the data into
information without a high degree of technical support.
The information that you use to formulate decisions typically is based on
data gathered from previous experiences — what works and what doesn’t.
Data warehouses capture similar data, allowing business leaders to make
informed decisions based on previous business data — what’s working in the
business and what’s doesn’t work in the business. Executives are realizing
that the only way to sustain and gain an advantage in today’s economy is to
better leverage information. The data warehouse provides the platform to
implement, manage, and deliver these key data assets.
Data warehousing is therefore the process of creating an architected information-
management solution to enable analytical and informational processing
despite platform, application, organizational, and other barriers.
05_407479-ch01.indd 1305_407479-ch01.indd 13 1/26/09 7:23:41 PM1/26/09 7:23:41 PM