by John Ladley
This is the first of a two part series on analytics and data warehouse. We are focusing on these two topics because the former is going through a new wave of offerings and interest, and the latter, while required in some manner, has been around for nearly 20 years.
At first data warehouse was supposed to move the usage of data and exploitation of information into a promised land where integration of data would be an exercise in translation and rearrangement. We learned that was not true, but the data warehouse still has fundamentally sound concepts. These may be changing depending on who you talk to. This issue will address what is going on with the data warehouse. Is it evolving away from its roots or is it becoming such a part of corporate plumbing you have to have one? Or both?
Analytics is most interesting in that everyone seems to think they can exploit data analytics, but few companies manage to position themselves to do so. I have even noticed that companies will unconsciously avoid using advanced analytics because they have to go through some kind of culture change to exploit the data.
As usual, in this issue, EDJ has tackled these topics with some data gathering in the form of interviews, and asking our circle of gurus to offer up their thoughts. We have deliberately presented some contrary and different articles. (Even I don’t agree with some of what is in here, but hey – I’m only the editor)
For the interview we talked to a handful of practitioners and influencers in the analytics and data warehouse field. There are names you may not recognize and some you will. All of them are hands on and in touch with the deployment and technology sides.
Our articles feature interesting observations and metaphors on data warehouse. First Ken Orr likens data warehouse to road planning – and presents a compelling example to do serious data integration. Steve Lahanas presents a whole new philosophy about data warehouse – This new philosophy and solution approach can be referred to as the Dynamic Data Warehouse.
Greg Valdez offers something to make you think deeply as well. A new model for data warehouse based on free market principles. This tickles my libertarian side but reading it also offers some good ideas. I wonder what Ayn Rand would have said?
Tom Redman offers a strong examples and metaphors for treating data as an asset (I like him already). We wish we could have seen that article when we did the EIM issue, but here it is. There is one analogy in his piece that we should all use at the next meeting wherein we are bashed by nay sayers of data management.
We end with the latest in Graeme Simsion’s column “The Consultant.” As always, Mr. Simsion has some solid practical advice to offer – which we like at the EDJ – so enjoy!!
The next issue will focus deeper on analytics and data warehouse technology. In addition to wrapping up our interview, we will have vendors weighing in (I promise they will be kept under control) as to where they see the future around analytics.
