Specific Components of an Architecture

Data Extraction and Movement Software -

This reads data from source systems and moves it into the data warehouse. Data movement can be done with custom programs coded for specific movements tasks or with generic data movement tools (sold by vendors such as Informatica, Cognos, etc.). Regardless of method, special care must be taken to ensure that all data is correctly interpreted and modeled.

Relational Database Management Software -

A data warehouse is a large database and relies heavily on the capabilities of relational database management software. Leading vendors of database engines (e.g. Oracle, Informix, Sybase, etc.) typically offer features to optimize their engines for data warehousing.

Specialty Database Management Software -

Another form of data warehouse technology is the multi-dimensional database engine, which stores data and reports that data back upon request. They use completely different storage formats. Thus, multi-dimensional database engines are best at tasks focused on narrow areas of analysis, rather than broad enterprise-wide systems. Multi-dimensional database engines are offered by vendors such as Arbor (Essbase) and Oracle (Express).

Server Hardware -

Warehouse server hardware should be sized to the amount and use of the data stored in the system. As warehouses store large amounts of history and because warehouse queries tend to be very 'compute-intensive', it is not unusual to see some of the most powerful servers running data warehouses. Server vendors include: Sun, IBM, and a host of Intel-compatible hardware manufacturers.

Desktop Hardware -

Data warehouses employ traditional personal computers to access the corporate data networks.

Query Tools -

Query tools determine how users interact with the system. The business users select these tools to generate and run their own reports. Thus, they typically issue a database query and then format the result. The majority of companies are turning towards web-enablement of these tools, and these tools come in a wide variety, including report writers and online analytical processing (OLAP) tools. Vendors include MicroStrategy, Business Objects, Seagate/Crystal, Cognos and many others.

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