Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Mastering Data Warehouse Design : Relational and Dimensional Techniques by Claudia Imhoff, Nicholas Galemmo, Jonathan G. Geiger ISBN: 0-471-32421-3 Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Pub. Date: 25 July, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $45.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (4 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent Resource for all Data Warehouse Developers
Comment: This is an excellent book for all Data Warehouse Designers and Devleopers. The book makes the Corporate Information Factory a reality and provides the details to build the Corporate Information Factory or Data Warehouse. This is a must read for all individuals who are involved in designing or building a Corporate Information Factory or Data Warehouse.
Practical, userful information on using Relational and Dimensional Techniques for building the Corporate Information Factory or Data Warehouse. Bridges the gap between the two approaches and does it well. The Reader will see how both techniques can best be used to build Data Warehouses and Data Marts.
Rating: 5
Summary: Integration Of Inmon & Kimball Thinking
Comment: "Mastering Data Warehouse Design" is an excellent book to help readers understand how to take maximum advantage of the strengths of diverse approaches associated with Bill Inmon and Ralph Kimball.
The main reason I bought a copy of this book, even before it arrived in bookstores, was that I was leading a team to figure out how to merge Inmon and Kimball views for data modelling standards.
We had already developed a DW architecture using Inmon's approach, with its associated relational/ERD method, but believed that it lacked rigour in the area of data marts. We also reviewed Kimball's books, and acknowledged the strengths of his dimensional modelling approaches, but were concerned that it lacked rigour for the diversity of analytical requirements in the manufacturing environment, e.g. data exploration/mining on a massive scale. We were struggling to figure out to combine the best of both - and then we discovered the imminent release of "Mastering Data Warehouse Design". After checking the Table of Contents on the publisher's web site, we had the book couriered directly from the publishers warehouse because it would not be available in local bookstores fast enough to meet our work schedule.
Chapter 1 has an impressive 'sound bite' version of Inmon's DW architecture thinking, but extended to include broader Business Intelligence concepts. Chapter 2 does a commendable job of explaining a tiered approach to data models, e.g. subject area model, business model, Operational system model, DW model. At first, this chapter was confusing because we had just finished a rigourous definition of data modelling standards, using more conventional terminology, e.g. logical/entity model, physical/table model. So the book's terminology didn't seem to fit in with our thinking. But after re-reading it, we realized that it added value in forcing us to look at the whole issue of modelling from a deliverables or outcomes perspective, rather than a modelling process perspective.
Chapter 4 discusses how to develop a DW data model. The content outlines the sequence or steps involved in developing a DW data model, and it's rare that I've been able to find as good coverage of the topic as I found in this chapter. Chapters 5 - 11 cover topics like keys, modelling time/hierarchies/transactions, with some solid content on how to model for on-going business change and how to maintain the tiered models. However, I'm not fully conversant with some of these topics, so am not in a good position to evaluate their content.
Chapter 12 has a very good discussion on how to deal with a proliferation of legacy data marts, and strategies for migrating to a central DW that feeds a variety of data marts. It also introduces Chapter 13 which has a classic discussion on comparing the relational and dimensional modelling approaches - including the best discussion I've ever seen on the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. While our team didn't buy into all this chapter's points, the clear logical explanation of strengths and weaknesses helped facilitate a consensus agreement among two groups aligned with the Inmon/relational and Kimball/dimensional approaches. The consensus solution, mostly based on Chapter 13's content, would have been difficult to achieve without this book, i.e. chapter 13's content alone was worth much more than the price of the book.
So if you're struggling with the merits of the Inmon and Kimball architecture/modelling approaches, this book is a valuable resource to help take advantage of the best of both.
Rating: 5
Summary: A top class encyclopedia!
Comment: An excellent compendium of Data Warehousing, Modeling, and Management processes. It is a detailed practical-guide for IT implementers and a terrific framework for Architectes to optimize productivity. Reality based discussion of trade-offs in fast changing market, enterprise, and customer will come in handy in everyday decisions.
Even though I live in the DW-BI World, I found kernels of truth often compromized in favor of saving time, and appreciated a refreshing view of pros and cons for doing it right, whether from start or while upgrading / integrating.
You will find yourself going back to many sections to share with your staff. A great read and terrific reference for your DW-BI reading. It sits on my reference shelf with many dogeared pages and underlined sections.
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
