Data warehousing as the foundation of business intelligence

Data that exists in fragmented, departmental silos cannot be mined and put to work, leaving management with an incomplete view of the company. Through data warehousing solutions, a single, consistent repository of enterprise data is created that is culled and analyzed to become the basis of an overall business intelligence strategy.

I recommend: Informatica Corporation offers a number of data warehousing solutions, including a webinar and online tools to assess your needs. To optimize data for warehousing and reporting, consider Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) tools from iWay Software. Data Mirror’s Integration Suite allows you to load data warehouses from multiple sources in real time enabling better business decisions. For a wealth of resources about data warehousing, visit The Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI), which offers certification, webinars, onsite education and links to vendors with data warehousing solutions.

Data warehousing solutions and platforms

Oracle, SAS, SAP BW, Microsoft, Sybase and MySQL are the big players in business intelligence and, therefore, data warehousing solutions. Written as large enterprise systems, their components are often modular and can be integrated into more specific systems as HP did with Oracle to create HP's Business Intelligence Data Warehousing platform.

I recommend: The HP Neoview Enterprise Data Warehouse is an Oracle-based business intelligence and data warehousing solution. MySQL is an open source database that runs on multiple platforms allowing developers to build database applications in the language of their choice.

Data warehouse management services and consultants

Most data warehouse management consultants are either with the consulting branch of a solution provider or offer solutions based on a combination of partner technologies.

I recommend: Knightsbridge Solutions, HP’s information management practice, offers a package of data warehouse management services including data warehousing. TUSC is a business intelligence consulting agency that specializes in Oracle data management software solutions. Kalido’s enterprise data management service assists clients in developing departmental data warehouses, enterprise data warehouses and networked data warehouse solutions.

Data storage services

While its implications in terms of accessibility and security should be carefully scrutinized, outsourcing your data warehousing to online or offshore data storage services has the advantages of greater capacity plus off-site backup for your data.

I recommend: Bleum Software Outsourcing uses Microsoft technologies for outsourcing data warehouse management in the banking and telecom industries. Amerivault’s data warehouse management services offer automatic backups and remote data recovery.