A Data Warehouse (DWH) is a centralized repository designed for Querying and analysis, storing large volumes of structured data from various sources within an organization. It supports reporting and decision-making by providing a consolidated view of data.
Key Features
Data Ingestion Integration: Combines data from diverse sources (e.g., transactional databases, CRM systems) into a single repository, ensuring consistency.
Subject-Oriented: Organizes data around key business areas (e.g., sales, finance) rather than operational processes.
Non-Volatile: Data remains unchanged once entered, preserving historical data for long-term analysis.
Time-Variant: Stores data with a time dimension, enabling historical analysis and trend identification.
Components
Data Sources: Internal (e.g., ERP systems) and external (e.g., market research data) origins of data.
Metadata/Documentation & Meetings: Information about the data, including definitions and transformation rules, aiding in data management.
Access Tools: Tools for querying and analyzing data, such as SQL clients and business intelligence tools.