January 2000 - Volume 1, Issue 06
IN THIS ISSUE
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Generic Meta Data Repository Design - Part 1
This article explores the design of generic meta data repository data model for use in a decision support system project. The design will address the various base components that are typically required in meta data repository in order to support a data warehouse environment. The intent of the model is to offer those individuals who wish to implement a meta data repository a generic solution that can be integrated into an in-house implementation. Alternatively, this model design can be used to complement a requirements checklist when evaluating meta data repository products in the market place.
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DBAs DON'T NEED METADATA
DBAs use "in-line" metadata. So what? Why should the DBAs be concerned with the metadata health of the organization when they have what they need? How important is the DBA's metadata to the rest of the organization? How important is the Oracle DBA's metadata to the DB2 or the SQL Server DBA? What role does the DBA play in the overall context of metadata to the organization? The purpose of this article is to demonstrate where DBA metadata fits into the enterprise metadata picture and how the DBAs can become a partner with positive influence on metadata and information resource management success.
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Data Warehouse Success
There has been much heated discussion over the failure rate of data warehouses. Luminaries disagree on the percentage of those that have succeeded. The problem may be with the definition of success and failure. In fact, very few organizations have identified, up front, what for them will be success or failure. That being the case, any industry-wide numbers on failure are meaningless.
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Advanced Meta Data Architecture
Corporations are demanding more and more functionality from all of their IT (information technology) systems and meta data repositories are no exception to this rule. In previous articles I have discussed the architectural concepts that are be applicable to most any meta data repository effort. This article will address the more complexed architectural challenges that arise with implementing a meta data repository that requires more advanced functionality. While most repository initiatives do not attempt to implement these features, they are certainly the type of functionality that is getting demanded from corporations. It is also important to note that these concepts can be implemented separately or in-conjunction with one another.
Letter From the Editor
by David Marco, President of Enterprise Warehousing Solutions, Inc.
Dear Readers, I hope everyone has had a happy and safe New Year!
Welcome to our 6th issue of Real-World Decision Support!
I have some very exciting news to share with all of are readers. First, we will be moving our newsletter to a quarterly publication schedule. In 2000 expect new issues to come out on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Second, I am very pleased to announce that starting with this issue we will be featuring an article from The Data Administration Newsletter (TDAN) in each of our issues. TDAN is a wonderful newsletter that I encourage all of our readers to subscribe too. The price is good too...free. Go to www.TDAN.com to get a subscription.
For this installment we are fortunate enough to have contributions from Sid Adelman, of Sid Adelman & Associates, Larissa Moss of Method Focus, Inc., Mike Jennings of Hewitt & Associates, and Bob Seiner, editor of The Data Administration Newsletter.
Mike Jennings has delivered a very practical article entitled "Generic Meta Data Repository Design". This article walks the reader through a generic meta data model. This article is a must read for any meta data practitioner.
Sid Adelman and Larissa Moss have provided a terrific article on what makes a data warehouse successful. They will walk you through how to define and measure success. This article is an excerpt of their upcoming book "Data Warehouse Project Management" scheduled for publication by Addison Wesley in early 2000.
In addition, Bob Seiner has provided a thoughtful article on the importance of meta data to database administrators.
I have contributed an article on examining advanced meta data architecture approaches. I trust you will enjoy it. Lastly, this issue marks the successful completion of the first year of publishing for Real-World Decision Support. During this year our readership has grown dramatically and the number of good quality articles has steadily rose in each issue. I would like to sincerely thank all of our readers and writers that have made this publication such a great success.
Calling All Writers
At RWDS we are always looking to publish new and informative, how-to articles. Our ever growing readership now totals over 26,000 registered readers and more than 30,000 unique visitors that visit the website during a new issue publication. Articles for RWDS can cover any topic in decision support, business intelligence, knowledge management, or information technology (IT) in general. Below is a brief list of possible topics:
- Architecture
- Best Practices
- Conducting Tool Evaluations
- Data Marts
- Data Modeling
- Data Warehousing
- e-Business
- Industry Standards
- Meta Data
- Operational Data Stores
- Project Management
- Staffing
- UML
- Unstructured Data
- "War" stories from the field
- XML, Etc.
Don't miss this opportunity to join the ranks of "those that write". If you would like to publish an article in Real-World Decision Support please send an email to MReed@EWSolutions.com and make sure to read our article guidelines at http://www.EWSolutions.com/
Please feel free to send all comments and questions on how we can improve Real-World Decision Support to ARiley@EWSolutions.com
This newsletter is published quarterly (January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, & October 1st) and is dedicated to providing informative, real-world solutions to the challenges of implementing decision support systems, e-business solutions, XML, and meta data repositories.
To offer feedback and suggestions on Real-World Decision Support, please contact us at: admin@EWSolutions.com