SQLBits 2013

Modern Data Warehousing Strategy

This session will discuss what a modern strategy for data warehousing can be in this era, considering how the use of technologies like PowerPivot or Analysis Services Tabular affect the way you should model your data.
The recent introduction of new technologies like PowerPivot, BI Semantic Model, columnstore indexes in SQL Server and the more general trend of advances in Self-Service BI and Big Data might be considered threats to the classic data warehouse ecosystem. In reality, a good data warehouse is still the best starting point for any kind of analysis, but it is necessary to update the strategy of its implementation and evolution in this new era.

This session will start the conversation about what a modern strategy for data warehousing can be in this era. Which type of data modeling we should use for the data warehouse? What is the role of the data marts? Does the use of technologies like PowerPivot or Analysis Services Tabular affect the way you should model your data? Do the columnstore indexes remove the need of an analytical server like Analysis Services? We will try to answer to these and other questions, offering an updated approach to the data warehouse modeling methodology.