Overview

There are so many new technologies that can be applied to building a data warehouse that you could spend years learning about them all. The front-end tool is what the business people will see, touch, and understand as their data warehouse. The database will determine the flexibility, speed, and growth capabilities of the data warehouse. I believe these two are the most strategic pieces of technology that will be chosen. Many companies become obsessed with evaluating the new technology. By the time the evaluation period is over, a new product crops up that needs to be evaluated. This cycle can continue endlessly. I do not like this endless evaluation game. I have a more practical approach to the technology: if it helps solve the business problem, then it should be purchased and used as soon as possible. If you are building a data warehouse where the technology will substantially improve the operation of your company, then buy the technology that works. You must ask yourself, "How much money will be lost in the technology evaluationperiod?" Make a decision and go with it! Practically, you will have to evaluate some technology, but my point is not to spend so much time doing that. There is a business that needs a solution to earn more money, and it is often the case that the worst technology implementation can enable a better decision.

There are two pieces of technology that need serious consideration when building the data warehouse, the front-end tool and...