Date Dimension
Hi All, I understood Kimball way of implementation Date Dimension table. In a way, the lowest granularity date represent each record, with the following month, quarter and year attribute. However, what happen if the lowest grain of certain fact are at

Rule based algorithm to convert an ER model to a dimensional model
I recently came across two white papers by Moody/Kortnik that show how to use a rule based algorithm to transform an ER model to a dimensional model. I have made the papers available on my

Appropriate use of materialized views
We are experiencing some IO opportunities and the DBA (Oracle) team is suggesting that we make more use of materialized views. I am not well versed or experienced with these and am looking for some advice regarding when to use / not use. Not sure if thi

Operational Reporting from a Dimensional Model
Having worked with various models over the years, i'm begining to think that a multi layered data model approach is best for medium and larger corporations. (see my IM model here

Understanding Materialized Views as aggregate tables
Hello I have to provide a count and I am using a materialized view in sql 2008 as an aggregate table. My issue is understanding how the count will work. I need a count by 3 different categories (Product, Type, and TypeName). So....should that field be

Aggregation of facts, use as dimension
This example has two facts, each w/ several dimensions: 1) Customer - date created, etc. 2) Purchases - purchase date, price, etc. Customer grain = individual customer and Purchase grain = one product purchased. I want to setup my data model/schema

Question - creating a dimensional model for facility management
Hello, folks. I'd like to ask some newbie questions. I'm starting a multidimensional model for facilities management from scratch, and I'll certainly need a SPACE dimension, since it's the grain in which all the spatial information is stored in the

Logical Dimensional Model
Is there such a thing as a logical dimensional model? If you agree, how is it different than your physical dimensional model?

Need for a dimensional modeling tool?
I'd like to hear opinions from members of this group about the need for a modeling tool that's more oriented towards dimensional models. Most of us use Erwin or a similar modeling tool, which is designed for general E/R modeling (to be honest, Erwin also

Fact table type
Basic questions about fact table type in kimball methodologies. Would appreciate if someone could explain 1)Transactional fact table type This is the transaction event captured from source OLTP system. Fact table in this case has all the keys instead

Aggregates with Distinct
Hi all, I am currently wroking on a Star Schema [with few dimensions and one fact :-)] but ran into some issues regarding Unduplicated Aggregates. Let me explain: we have the following dimensions : Ofices Staff

Data Vault v's Dimensional Model
Seems to be a lot of interest over at LinkedIn around the DataVault model. I wondered what the thoughts were about it. When would you use it v's a Dimensional Model or even a 3NF for a data warehouse. more info here:

Handling History tables in Dimensional Model
Gurus, We are designing dimensional model for our organization. In our current OLTP system we have base tables and history tables. The table structure of history tables is mirror of base tables with addition of 3 auditing columns (Transaction Type,

Data Warehouse for survey data
Hi All, Working with a company which uses Salesforce.com heavily. They have a large number of custom fields, and great volatility in them - frequently adding and deleting them when they cease being relevant (They collect survey data for their clients).

Addresses in Customer Dimension
As part of an Orders dimensional model, I am attempting to design the Customer Dimension table. The customers have multiple sold-to addresses and multiple ship-to addresses. While the OLTP allows any Order to have any combination of sold-to and ship-to