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Chapter 5

3.3 Data warehouses

A data warehouse is a:

Database - internal and external data is combined into one,
1
comprehensive secure and easily manipulated data store
Data extraction tool – data extracted to meet the individual user’s
2
needs

Decision support system – data analysed to unearth unknown
3 patterns and correlations (data mining). An understanding of
customers’ needs can then assist marketing efforts

Advantages Disadvantages

 Reduced duplication  Cost

 Reduced storage  System failure more
catastrophic
 Improved data integrity

 Flexible to individual’s needs

 Align across entire organisation

Illustrations and further practice

Now read Illustration 3 from Chapter 5 of the Study Text

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