Strategy and Planning

Data Warehouse - Frequently Asked Questions

• What does it do?
• What does it look like?
• What are its uses?
• Is it secure?
• How do I get access?
• How can I get help?

What does it do? 

• The data warehouse is a quick, efficient and reliable way to visit one place for critical University business information;
• It is easy-to-use information that is presented in a consistent, unambiguous form using definitions and terms that people can understand.
• It presents information in a focused, easily understood form that is tailored to the University's decision-making needs and can lead to large productivity gains.

Data transformed into business information and - delivered to users simply and effieciently - provides a valuable strategic asset. Two additional advantages of a Data Warehouse are:

• Consistency and integrity: if decision-makers get their answers from one source they are all "talking the same language";
• Reduced risk: if the rules and definitions for information are stored centrally, the service's quality, accuracy and reliability are maximised.

What does it look like?

The Date Warehouse is simply a collection of database files organised to best present information the business needs to make decisions.

Each area of the warehouse focuses on a University business process and typically gathers information from various sources across the organisation. The method for combining often disparate sources of data is founded on rules specified by key users of the information across the University. This promotes integration and greater ease in using the information.

With all the work of combining enormous volumes of data and defining the information done, the warehouse delivers it using names that are more easily understood and commonly used within the organisation.

What are its uses?

There are multiple uses - but the main priority revolves around essential business information.

Applications like PeopleSoft and ResearchMaster will still be used for up-to-the-minute answers to detailed operational questions that support the workflow of the business. For example:

• Finding out if a purchase order has been filled or an invoice paid;
• Obtainig a semester class list for a specific course.
• Listing all the current student names and addresses for a nominated course.

The Data Warehouse is used to quickly search for and combine larger amounts of data and for questions that are more complex and often not so well-defined. Examples include analysis of information for emerging trends, modelling proposed scenarios or answering more probing business questions that require more flexible access to the information so that it can be viewed in many different ways. Some specific examples:

• Mapping changes in the socio-economic status of enrolments over the past five years;
• Comparing the distribution of student load funding by faculty from year to year;
• Finding out which programs or related schools have experienced an increase in disabled student enrolments.

Is it secure?

Yes. Only authorised staff who have attended an appropriate training course can access the warehouse. Once trained, participants are issued a password-managed control to the level of information they are authorised to view.

There are two general levels of security in the Data Warehouse: public and privileged. Initial training enables public access. For more sensitive information, such as financials and specific student and staff-based data, additional training and an appropriate security authorisation from the University is required.

How do I get access?

Some reports have been made available to all University staff and do not require training. They can be accessed through the Regular Performance Reports page. These investigations deliver high-level management information aligned with University performance measures.

Introductory half-day training courses can be booked through the training website. Applications require appropriate authorisation from line managers.

The Data Warehouse is accessed through Internet Explorer and web-based tool called ORACLE DISCOVERER, which is usually available the day after training.

Follow up courses specific to the type of information contained in the warehouse are available. Again, appropriate authorisation is required to enrol and increase access levels.

How can I get help?

Strategy and Planning has a team of experts in specific areas as listed below: