Method and apparatus for automatically creating a data warehouse and OLAP cube
First Claim
1. A method of analysing data from multiple source ledgers or modules;
- comprising the steps of;
(a) constructing a data warehouse that combines data from multiple source ledgers, sub-ledgers or modules;
(b) generating an associated, single physical OLAP cube to enable cross-functional analysis of data from those multiple source ledgers or modules.
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Abstract
A data warehouse design that combines data from multiple source ledgers or modules is constructed and from that an associated, single physical Star or Snow-Flake schema and OLAP hyper-cube analytic structure is generated to enable cross-functional analysis of any those multiple source ledgers or modules. The step of constructing the data warehouse or the step of generating the associated OLAP cube is achieved without significant human intervention using software. The present invention is based on the insight that the technical bias against generating individual data marts and OLAP cubes from multiple source ledgers is not well founded. Previously, the norm has been to generate a single physical OLAP cube for each individual ledger—hence one for the General Ledger, a further one for sales order processing etc. This prior art approach makes cross functional analysis multiple source ledgers and sub-ledgers difficult since it requires the creation of a further level of physical or virtual cubes across multiple physical cubes and complex querying. This is no longer necessary with the present invention.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of analysing data from multiple source ledgers or modules;
- comprising the steps of;
(a) constructing a data warehouse that combines data from multiple source ledgers, sub-ledgers or modules;
(b) generating an associated, single physical OLAP cube to enable cross-functional analysis of data from those multiple source ledgers or modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
- comprising the steps of;
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13. The method of claim I in which fields in data warehouse tables are dynamically updateable in that these fields change in accordance with an underlying ERP accounting structure and data when the warehouse is updated with a new snapshot of ERP system data.
- 14. The method of claim I in which stored procedures are executed against the data warehouse to determine various metadata structures required to create or update the OLAP cube to facilitate analysis and reporting of the data.
Specification