Data Warehouse Development

Data Warehouse - Definition

A Data Warehouse (DWH) is the platform or information system that consolidates all of the organisation's data, including customer support, procurement and sales.

Three Sequential Layers

1. Storage - retaining raw data on the platform
2. Integration - merging data from different sources
3. Access/Presentation - a visual display for users

Architectures

• Top-Down - building a central system from scratch
• Bottom-Up - separate development for each department
• Hybrid Approach - combining both approaches

Planning Parameters

Proper data warehouse planning starts with understanding the organisation's business and technical needs. These are the key parameters we examine together with the client during the planning stage:

• Data volume - the scale of existing data and the expected growth rate, to determine the right architecture and scalability.
• Update frequency - whether the data is needed in real time, hourly or daily, to choose the appropriate ETL processes.
• Data accuracy and quality - defining validation and cleansing rules, so every decision is based on reliable information.
• Target audience - who will use the data (management, analysts, department heads) and which reports and insights they need.

Why Is a Data Warehouse Important for Your Organisation?

As the organisation grows, its data spreads across many systems and formats, and obtaining a reliable picture of the business becomes a complex task. A well-structured data warehouse is the foundation that lets all your BI and AI systems work from a single, consistent and up-to-date source of truth - producing fast, accurate insights that move the business forward.