Knowledge Management Presentation  My repository assignment was based on data warehousing; it discusses the pros and cons as it applies to businesses.  Within this presentation I will discuss in summary what I have learned from the articles I read.

The Main purpose of Data Warehousing  The first article talks about the main purpose of the data warehouse – to promote access to knowledge and keep the business up-to-date in the changing environment.  The data warehouse prevents info from getting locked up within several different computer systems.

Building a Data Warehouse  There are many constraints and drivers when it comes to building a data warehouse. An engineer must cover many areas in order to build an efficient data warehouse, these include end users’ needs and the readiness of the business to set up the warehouse.

Building a Data Warehouse The 4 main steps 1. Sort through the available mathmatics and science. 2. Decompose the design problem. 3. Choose practical techniques. 4. View the original design goals in order to provide a foundation for all decisions.

Problems That Arise  Historical inaccuracies can cause data to be incorrect.  The size of the data may be quite large.  New information will keep being added to an already large warehouse.  Some data may be redundant.

Misconceptions that Arise  Data can be “fixed”.  Data quality is an IT problem.  The problem lies with the data source/entry.  The data warehouse will provide a single version of truth.  The ERP will provide a single version of the truth.  The CPM will provide a single version of the truth.  BI standardization will eliminate different truths.

What NOT to do when building a Warehouse  Ignore the advice of previous consultants or IT staff.  Ignore the feedback of the end users after the system has been implemented.  Not include the senior executives / management.

Example of Success  Ace Hardware had a problem, they knew what they had in inventory, but yet didn’t know if had been sold.  Due to this they weren’t ordering in time and many of their products were on backorder.

Ace Hardware Cont…  They implemented a data warehouse in order to solve the problem.  Now, every night POS transactions are sent to the warehouse and reports are printed.  The new warehouse allows them to use real-time and has drastically increased business efficiency.

Data Warehousing Concluded  Data warehousing is a growing trend in companies trying to manage knowledge more effectively. It appears to be a positive tool for the future.