Re: Data Warehousing With Oracle..?

Michael Joseph (qmick_at_pipeline.com) wrote:
: Paul,
:
: Having read all sorts of stuff on this subject and not really 'Getting it',
: perhaps you can in a few words define this concept and how it differs from
: say a data archive..?
:
: Thanks
:
: Mike J.

Mike,

On one level it is merely keeping data in a place where it can be easily stored. But over the past few years it has also taken on the mantle of a process -- transferring information out of transaction systems (and sometimes out of external systems) into very large databases where it can be mined (that means where people can dig through it using sophisticated multi-dimensional analysis to find nuggets of value such as a product line that could sell more, a competitor that can be beaten, a city where greater investment would pay off, etc.).

There are a series of products that are sold in the name of warehousing -- some are automatic program generators that create and maintain code to move data from transaction processing systems to data storage areas; some are analytical tools; some are data cleaning tools; some are parallel processing hardware and database management extensions.

When one broadens the definition to include all these things, then data warehousing becomes the fastest growing segment of the computing market and encompasses many of the very expensive client server projects that are being undertaken by large companies and government agencies. And it is because they are so expensive that the people atend the Data Warehousing Institute programs and share their experiences. With a lot of money at stake, they are willing to invest in learning how to do it right.

Finally, three other terms you'll hear attached to it: OLAP for on-line analytical processing, DSS for decision support systems, and EIS for executive (or enterprise) information systems. Just think of these as data analysis and reportining systems -- with easier or tougher user interfaces, and you'll have a relatively clear picture of them.

Hope that helps.   

Paul Taylor, Ph.D                                       pault_at_clark.net
Director
Delta Research Corp.                         OLAP, Warehousing, and EIS
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