Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring

Utah State University

Logan, Utah

May 14, 2001

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Overview of Presentation

• Genesis – Why we did it

• Process – How we did it

• Results – What we achieved

• Lessons Learned – Opportunities

• Q & A

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Genesis

Why We Did It

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

President Wanted Information

Instant information, Broad brush,

Drill down to details

On the Telephone with:• Student / Parent• Faculty / Staff

• Alumnus / Donor

• Regent / Legislator

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

What the President Wanted

What He Was Willing to Pay For

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Process

How We Did It

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Utah StateUniversity

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Decentralized IT Environment

• Autonomous Colleges and Departments

• CS defacto Administrators of IT

• Weak University Wide IT Plan

• No Vice President of IT or CIO

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Four Mainframe Applications

Systems & Computer Technology(SCT Shop)

– SIS Student Information System– HRS Human Resource System– FRS Financial Records System– ADS Alumni Development System

• High School/College Relations• Other Interested Campus Entities

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

200+ File Servers

– Strong Novell Presence– Strong SUN Presence– Growing Linux Presence

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Islands of Information

– Student Services– Budget Office– Planning & Analysis– Contracts & Grants– Personnel Services– Independent Colleges

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Put your best people on it – Get it done!

Build… or Buy Simonize

President Wanted Information

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

First Iteration

Information Builders EIS

Client / Server Implementation

Support Intensive / Poor Performance

Shallow Input from required participants

In-fighting & Turf Battles over data ownership and definitions

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

First Iteration

R e s u l t s

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

We looked again at OTS vendors

Display of logo does not imply endorsement or criticism of products or companies.

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

We Chose to Build

• FreeBSD 4.1

• PostgreSQL 7.0

• PERL

• Apache

• Netscape 4.x

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Our Most Important Step!

We created two functioning groups empowered to make decisions.

AIMS Council

Administrative Information Management System

S & M Group

System & Management Group

(Smoke & Mirrors)

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Results

What We Achieved

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

Tour the USU Data Warehouse

Data Warehousing on a Shoestring – Utah State University

As the Ancient Martial Arts Warn:

Be Careful How You Use It!