A data warehouse is a central repository of integrated data collected from multiple sources. It stores current and historical data in one single place that is typically used for analysis and reporting. The data stored in the warehouse is uploaded from systems such as marketing or sales. The data may pass through an operational data store and may require data cleansing for additional operations to ensure data quality before it is used in the data warehouse for reporting.
The primary purpose of a data warehouse is to provide a coherent picture of the business at a particular point in time. Storing data from various sources in a centralized location allows users to perform complex queries and analysis, such as data mining, on the information without slowing down the operational systems. Data warehousing techniques also enable businesses to understand and enhance their internal processes, customer relationships, and market opportunities.
