TRAINING & EDUCATION
Dimensional Data Model
The pre-requisite for delivering subject area data marts is the creation of a Dimensional Data Model specific to each business subject area.
A Dimensional Data Model contains a table which represents the 'Facts' — the amounts and counts — and tables which represent the 'Dimensions' or attributes by which we want to understand and analyze — or 'slice' and 'dice' — the Facts.
For example, a Sales Data Mart would contain different data than an Inventory Data Mart or a Human Resources Data Mart and would be sourced from different files.
The Dimensional Data Model for a Sales Data Mart would describe which table would be the source for sales transactions — the Sales 'Facts' — and which tables would contain Customer Dimension and Product Dimension details.
In contrast, the Dimensional Data Model for an Inventory Data Mart would describe which table would be the source for inventory transactions — the Inventory 'Facts' — and which tables would contain Warehouse and Location Dimension and Product Dimension details.
End User Knowledge Transfer
Our experience has shown that coaching new VIGILANCE Xpress™ users — whether technical or business oriented — is the fastest and most effective way to impart the necessary knowledge and skill to effectively build and manage a data mart. We utilize this approach to assist an end user to build and manage their first subject area data mart.
Firstly, we spend a little time with the end user to craft the Dimensional Data Model for the subject area. It typically takes 1 - 5 days to arrive at a useable Dimensional Data Model. Once the subject area Dimensional Data Model is complete, and we know which table will become the Fact table and which tables will become or be sources for the Dimension tables then we can proceed to the next step.
We then work with the end user — business or technical — and coach them on how to use VIGILANCE Xpress™ to build this first data mart. This process usually takes about 1 - 5 days, including initial data loading of the data mart.
The result?
In two a complete, populated subject area data mart.
The added benefit?
Utilizing this process ultimately imparts the necessary understanding and skill to put end users on the path to self-sufficiency.
Professional Services: Turnkey Solution
Should a client be pressed for time or not have a resource available to learn how to craft the Dimensional Data Model for the subject area or to be coached on how to use VIGILANCE Xpress™ to build their first Data Mart, then we offer a 'turnkey' solution to deliver the complete, populated subject area data mart with minimal user involvement. We would be pleased to discuss this alternative approach.
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