Data warehouse implementation with the SAS® system

The successful implementation of a data warehouse can be an extremely complex process, requiring significant planning, patience, and persistence. The Professional Services Division of SAS Institute Inc. has found that a good understanding of data warehousing concepts, coupled with a solid development methodology: and a technical infrastructure built around the SAS System can enable practitioners to achieve their goals of effective data warehousing. This paper addresses many of the challenges and issues that The Professional Services Division has confronted during the development of data warehouses. It explores the definition and purpose of data warehouses, common myths and mistakes in warehouse development, and presents the SAS Data Warehouse Model. It also provides information on staffing data warehouse projects, and finally introduces the SAS Rapid Data Warehouse Methodology. This paper will be of interest to anyone who is planning or has recently initiated a data warehouse project. Several SAS products will be highlighted, but experience in their use is not necessary to derive benefit from this paper.