Data warehouse software is a repository of transactional data used to analyze and run complex reports. It has three main functions: data extraction, database structure creation, and custom query creation. Data architects manage the loading process and identify shared data. Custom reporting is essential for specific business needs.
Data warehouse software has grown exponentially in recent years and is expected to experience above-average growth in the future as well. A data warehouse is a repository of all transactional data of an organization or business. The main purpose of a data warehouse is to analyze transactions and run complex reports.
There are three main functions for any data warehouse software product: data extraction, database structure creation, and custom query creation. In the information technology industry, data warehouse experts are known as business intelligence specialists. They typically have a background in mathematics, statistics, or computer system analysis. Additional training in relational databases, system architecture, and database programming fundamentals is often required.
One of the most important functions of any data warehouse software is the ability to properly extract and structure data from a variety of sources. This is often called an extract, transform, and load (ETL) tool. Data warehouses must be populated with data from the transaction system in a way that maintains the integrity and interrelationships of the data, while allowing personnel to personalize the extracted data. This is an essential part of the system architecture.
It is important to note that most data warehouse software programs are used to create, support and manage multiple datasets. In many situations, there are some duplicate tables across all cubes, while there are other datasets that need to remain separate and distinct. For example, a data cube with purchasing data will have many data points shared with a vendor payments cube. However, there will also be a specific set of information in each cube that only applies to that specific cube.
The data architect is responsible for identifying shared data, confirming that it is correct, and making this information available across multiple cubes, without impacting the integrity of each cube. Additionally, he is responsible for managing the data loading process required to refresh the data cubes. This can be an automated or manual process, depending on the complexity of the cubes and how the data is provided.
All data warehouse software programs come with a range of standard reports and queries. These reports are based on common business needs and tend to be fairly general in nature. For example, a report of the top ten customers by sales volume for the current year is a common report request and would be standard in most programs.
However, many businesses find they need custom reporting to meet specific needs. For example, the same sales report might need to include the names of sales representatives and sort the data within specific districts or territories. The ability to quickly create a customized report and adapt it to existing business needs is essential to the success of this type of software.
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