In: Operations Management
Explain the difference between a data warehouse and a data mart. Use the analogy of a supply chain.
Difference between a data warehouse and a data mart:-
Sr.No. | Basis of difference | Data Warehouse | Data Mart |
1. | Definition |
Data warehouse is a large centralized repository of data which is used for reporting, data analysis and data mining. It is a large source of accumulated from different sources also known as enterprise data. |
Data Mart is a subset of data warehouse which contains a single functional data set. Data mart is a structure or access pattern specific to data warehouse environment which is used for specifice business line. |
2. | Types |
3 types of data warehouse:
|
3 types of data mart:
|
3. | Sources of data | Data warehouse many external and internal sources from variuos area/department of an organization. | Data mart has only few sources which are linked to single line of business. |
4. | Centralization |
Data warehouse is a centralized system. |
Data mart is a decentralised system. |
5. | Size of data | Data size is typically larger than 100 GB. | Data size is less than 100 GB. |
6. | Focus | Data warehouse focuses on multiple subject area and is a wide repository of data source. | Data mart focuses on a single subject or functional organization area i.e. finance or sales. |
7. | Model | Data warehouse is a top down model. | While data mart is a bottom up model |
8. | Flexibility | In this the data is flexible | In this data is not flexible |
9. | Nature | Data warehouse is data oriented in nature. | While data mart is project oriented in nature. |
10 | Life span | It has a long life can be more than a year. | It has short life only for 3-6 months. |
11. | Decision types | Data warehouse includes strategic decisions that affect the entire enterprise. | Data mart contains tactiacl decision pertaining to specific business line. |
12. | Data held | Data held in data warehouse is in detailed form i.e. raw data, meta data and summary data. | While data held in data mart is summarized type. |