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Method and apparatus for transporting data for data warehousing applications that incorporates analytic data interfaceRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Database And File Management Or Data Structures, Database Schema Or Data StructureMethod and apparatus for transporting data for data warehousing applications that incorporates analytic data interface description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060242160, Method and apparatus for transporting data for data warehousing applications that incorporates analytic data interface. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to database systems. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for transporting data for a data warehousing application. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Due to the increased amounts of data being stored and processed today, operational databases are constructed, categorized, and formatted in a manner conducive for maximum throughput, access time, and storage capacity. Unfortunately, the raw data found in these operational databases often exist as rows and columns of numbers and code which appears bewildering and incomprehensible to business analysts and decision makers. Furthermore, the scope and vastness of the raw data stored in modern databases renders it harder to analyze. Hence, applications were developed in an effort to help interpret, analyze, and compile the data so that a business analyst may readily and easily understand it. This is accomplished by mapping, sorting, and summarizing the raw data before it is presented for display. Thereby, individuals can now interpret the data and make key decisions based thereon. [0003] Extracting raw data from one or more operational databases and transforming it into useful information is the function of data "warehouses" and data "marts." In data warehouses and data marts, the data is structured to satisfy decision support roles rather than operational needs. Before the data is loaded into the target data warehouse or data mart, the corresponding source data from an operational database is filtered to remove extraneous and erroneous records; cryptic and conflicting codes are resolved; raw data is translated into something more meaningful; and summary data that is useful for decision support, trend analysis or other end-user needs is pre-calculated. In the end, the data warehouse is comprised of an analytical database containing data useful for decision support. A data mart is similar to a data warehouse, except that it contains a subset of corporate data for a single aspect of business, such as finance, sales, inventory, or human resources. With data warehouses and data marts, useful information is retained at the disposal of the decision-makers. [0004] However, establishing a structure for transporting (extracting, transporting and loading) data from an operational database or databases into a structure that can be used for data warehousing applications is quite time consuming. In many instances many months of man-hours are required to define and program a suitable structure for transporting data from an operational database(s) into a format suitable for data warehousing applications. [0005] The complexities in designing a data model for transporting data from an operational database into target tables in a data warehouse are not simply technical problems. They also involve complex business semantic problems. [0006] Recently, many operational databases have begun to use standardized database structures. Several companies have recently created Business Application Programming Interfaces for getting data into and out of business databases that use these standardized database structures. Business application programming interfaces are effective for getting information into and out of a business database. However, the user must still perform the process of defining and programming for data transport in order to obtain output that is suitable for use as input to a data warehousing application. This is expensive and time consuming. In addition, these business application programming interfaces require extensive knowledge and programming to learn and use. [0007] The time and cost for defining and programming such that the data is suitable for use as input to a data warehousing application is particularly problematic for companies that use multiple different operational databases. More particularly, the process of defining and programming for data transport must be repeated for each different operational database. That is, for example, if a company has both a SAP database and an Oracle database, the process of defining and programming for data transport must be performed for both databases and the process is unique to each database. [0008] What is needed is a method and apparatus that allows for transporting data such that the data can be used in data warehousing applications. In addition, a method and apparatus is needed that meets that above need and that takes advantage of the standardization of database components. Moreover, a method and apparatus is needed that reduces the time required to define and program data transport for data warehousing applications. The present invention provides a method and apparatus that meets the above needs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention includes a method and apparatus for transporting data for a data warehousing application. More particularly, the present invention introduces a method and a data transport process architecture that uses standardized structures of different types of source databases to achieve source-specific configuration for extraction, transformation, and loading in a data warehousing application. [0010] A system is disclosed that includes an analytic business component that translates operational data from data source having a standardized data structure. The system also includes a staging area for storing the translated data. In addition, the system includes a source adapter that is coupled to the staging area. An analytic data interface couples to the source adapter and receives the data having a common structure and transforms the data for loading into a data warehouse. [0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, data is extracted from one or more source containing data having a standard data structure and is translated into data that contains meaningful business terms. The translated data is then stored. In the present embodiment, the analytic business component is operable for extracting data from the source, translating the extracted data and for storing the translated data into a staging area. [0012] The translated data is then processed to obtain data having a common structure. In the present embodiment, a source adapter processes the translated data to obtain data having a common structure. [0013] The data having a common structure is then transformed into a format suitable for loading into a data mart. In the present embodiment, an analytic data interface receives the data having a common structure and transforms the data for loading into a data warehouse. The data can then be loaded into a data warehouse. [0014] In the present embodiment, the analytic data interface includes a graphical user interface that makes it easy to configure and customize how business data is loaded into an analytic applications system such as a data warehouse. The analytic data interface includes a simplified abstraction layer for the data warehouse administrator, allowing the warehouse administrator to configure how data is loaded into the analytic applications in a fraction of the time it takes to configure these capabilities programmatically as occurs in prior art systems. In addition, most of the complex technical problems are solved prior to data entering the analytic data interface. In many instances, these technical problems are solved without any required configuration or analysis by the warehouse administrator. This greatly simplifies the task of loading data into a data warehouse, saving significant expense and time. [0015] The benefits are particularly apparent for companies that use multiple different operational databases. More particularly, there is no need to define and program for data transport for each different operational database. The warehouse administrator needs only define and program for data transport a single time using the graphical user interface of the analytic data interface. [0016] Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus that allows for transporting data such that the data can be used in data warehousing applications. In addition, the present invention provides a method and apparatus that takes advantage of the standardization of database components. Moreover, the present invention provides a method and apparatus that reduces the time required to define and program data transport for data warehousing applications. [0017] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are illustrated in the various drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer system used as part of a data warehousing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary architecture that includes a server in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for transporting data for data warehousing applications that incorporates analytic data interface... 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