Definition of Data Warehousing

There are certainly many a definition of data warehousing that one could find. Vendors of data warehousing products or services will often times have a definition of data warehousing posted on their site. The definition of data warehousing, however, can often be inconsistent between sources. The most basic and simplest definition of data warehousing is a virtual storage facility where data is entered and stored from different sources. This is probably as simple a definition of data warehousing one can hope to find. But there is a lot more to a definition of data warehousing than just storing data from several sources. A more useful definition of data warehousing should describe much more than just having a place to store data, because data warehousing has many more advantages and uses other than simply having a place to store data.

Definition of data warehousing, data storage

Yes, the simple definition of data warehousing is that it allows users to have a place to store their data. But it should be recognized that storing data in a data warehouse is a lot more useful and complex than just having a central store of data. Any definition of data warehousing should point out that data entered into the warehouse cannot and more than likely is not random useless data with no real business value. The data is cleansed and selected before entering the warehouse. The process of selecting and pre-data cleansing could take a while, but quality assurance is a must for the program. A definition of data warehousing should also note that most of the data tends to be historical.

Definition of data warehousing, accessibility

A useful definition of data warehousing should also describe the ease of allowing the data in the warehouse be viewed by many. The data in the warehouse can quickly and easily be viewed by anyone who needs it. The data can be viewed by the proper person, that person can then report on it or analyze the data with ease.

Definition of data warehousing, advantages

A Definition of data warehousing should always focus on the purpose of data warehousing. It simply is not enough to inform readers of how data warehouses can store your data, which can then be analyzed and reported on. A definition of data warehousing should always include the advantages of using the business intelligence tool. The advantage of data warehousing is that it allows information to be extracted from the data, which can then help in the decision making process. Data warehousing is after all a decision support system, better decisions means having a more successful operation.

Definition of data warehousing, users

A useful definition of data warehousing should also take some time to describe the ideal users of the decision support system. A definition of data warehousing should briefly describe who should consider utilizing the system. Data warehousing users are typically middle too large enterprises and government entities. The medical field is also beginning to take advantage of the system as well as other organizations.