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Analyse History, Probe Cause
and Effect, and Spot Trends
A Unified Dimensional Model (UDM)
is a key component in providing end
users with the ability to mine their
own data from the common
repositories in a meaningful
fashion. The UDM is normally
implemented over a read-only
instance of the corporate data and
is stored in an approved data store.
The UDM describes an organisation's
semantics and is a collection of
assertions about the nature of the
organisation. Proper entity classes
are named with natural language
words instead of technical jargon.
Target data repositories are
structured from a normalised Data
Model, and where indicated by usage
requirements, strategically
denormalised. This will likely be
the case when the repository is used
for reporting processes. Additional
constructs may also be developed on
top of the Data Model that will
facilitate the users' experience
when querying the database. These
additional constructs will provide a
UDM over the database that will
enable users to identify data using
more natural names for database
assets such as table and column
names.
Additionally any common business
rules that need to be applied to the
data (such as combining on and off
transactions for a net result, or
aggregating data) will also be
embodied in the UDM over-lay.
A UDM puts the power in the hands
of planners and business managers to
access analyse and forecast on
multiple business dimensions.
Typically a wizard-like query tool
walks you through the selection of
dimensions for analysis, such as
department, cost type, time frame,
calculation types, and graphical
options. With a click of a button, a
custom multidimensional report is
created and through point and click
icons, users can rotate the
dimensions or drill into more
detail.
A properly constructed UDM will
put simple-to-use tools in the hands
of finance and business managers to
perform on the fly analysis, explore
cause and effect, and perform
what-if analysis.
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