Data Analysis

Overview Hidden in the depths of large databases is information that may not be apparent to the casual user. A sales database contains data about sales trends that could be used to forecast future sale figures; a marketing database for a chain restaurant could be used to determine which types of towns and neighborhoods are ideal candidates for new stores. This type of "hidden" data can be found using data analysis techniques such as data warehousing, data mining, and OLAP. Some Database Management Systems (DBMSs) also allow the creation of multidimensional databases--databases that are more accurately envisioned as a cube of data, instead of the traditional two dimensional "spreadsheet" model. The links below will help you learn more about the newest and hottest data analysis techniques.

Data Warehouses A good starting point for learning about data analysis techniques can be found at The Data Analysis BriefBook. At Webopedia.com, you’ll find a basic definition of “data warehouse” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_warehouse). This site also provides a concise explanation of the importance of data warehousing to organizations. According to the article "Data Warehousing Fundamentals" at www.dmreview.com, data warehousing isn't just a way of storing historical data about an enterprise--it is a unifying and coherent method for organizing information systems. 

Data Mining Once you have an organization's data stored in a data warehouse, how can you extract information from it? The answer is data mining. Dig into the article "Digging into Data Mining," at www.dbmsmag.com/9710d05.html. For reviews of the most current data mining technologies, review the 2005 SIAM International Conference on Data Mining website at  www.siam.org/meetings/sdm05/. The organization the Data Mining Group (www.dmg.org) is working to promote a broader understanding of data mining and establish standards for its use.

OLAP Short for Online Analytical Processing, OLAP is a set of tools used for analyzing different dimensions in a database. Learn more basics about OLAP, including information about OLAP servers and capabilities, at www.webopedia.com. On About.com’s OLAP page, you can find definitions, link to related Web resources, and even join an OLAP discussion forum. Follow the link www.the-data-mine.com/  to find links to Web pages containing information that includes terminology, concise descriptions of OLAP technology, and an explanation of how OLAP and multidimensional databases work together. 

Multidimensional Databases Visit the Multidimensional database definition page at TechTarget.com for definitions that relate to multidimensional databases. Webopedia.com also provides an excellent review of multidimensional databases and DBMSs. There is also a discussion of the similarities between multidimensional databases and OLAP. Links to both OLAP and multidimensional database software publishers can be found at www.sharewareconnection.com. Alphabetically sorted, this long list of software is a great resource for learning about multidimensional database tools.