[30/07/2008 20:17:10 ]Data Warehouse for Dummies

What Should You Expect from Your Data Warehouse?

1.Using the data warehouse to make better business decisions
  When you conduct training sessions before users are turned loose on the new data warehouse, be sure to not only teach them how to access data (which types of queries and reports they can run or which types of data are available, for example) but also feature real-world examples of how to use the results of their warehouse access.
 
2.Finding data at your fingertips
  Everyone has heard the phrase "information(or knowledge) is power" and a long-accepted maxim says that the more skillfully people use information in the course of their jobs, the greater their chances for success.
 
3.Facilitating communications with data warehousing
  A "Softer" benefit of data warehousing, one that's much less tangible than having information for better business decisions but nonetheless real, is that it often facilitates better communications across a company than what existed before the warehouse project began.
  Any lack of cooperation on the part of the leaders and members of a particular business organization, however, will be extremely apparent because their data either won't be in the warehouse(often called a data gap) or, worse, the data warehouse project will probably fail -- and it will be obvious who's at fault.
 
4.Facilitating business change with data warehousing
  Data warehousing also involves facilitating change in business processes. In addition to being able to make better, information-driven operational and tactical decisions, you gain insight into key areas that can help you make strategic decisions about the fundamental aspects of your business.