Data Warehouse Question 1

[Skittle]

This is slightly off-topic with regard to SQL Server 2005 but I hope nobody minds as I can't find a data warehouse forum.


I'm pretty clear on dimensional modelling after ploughing through a few books this week and asking a few key questions on tek-tips. I have one grey area left.

Once you have a nice start schema for each business process you are ready to build a nice OLAP cube. However...is it common practice to just create a view over the star schema and make it available to report writers?. In other words, is the Star Schema suitable as a non-OLAP reporting source?




Dazed and confused

 

[RiverGuy]

Here's the general Data Warehousing forum:
forum353

In other words, is the Star Schema suitable as a non-OLAP reporting source

Yes, the Star Schema is a model that can be used by other clients, and it's more than just a relational feeder into a MOLAP database. You can use it with a Business Objects Universe for example. Just make sure that if you have any meaningful information developed in the cube itself--like calculations--that you could end up with differing versions if the reporting analysts are forced to recreate those in their reporting software.

 

[Skittle]

Once again thanks on all fronts.



Dazed and confused