Douglas Hackney

Douglas Hackney is the president of Enterprise Group Ltd., a consulting and knowledge-transfer company specializing in designing and implementing data warehouses and associated information delivery systems. He can be reached at www.egltd.com.

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Recent Stories From this Author

The Moving Box
August 1, 2003

Stocking the Bunker
June 1, 2003

The Tin Man
May 1, 2003

Data Warehouse Delivery
April 1, 2003

Not So Right?
March 1, 2003

They Can't
February 1, 2003

Data Quality Fear
January 1, 2003

The Slice
December 1, 2002

CRM: Rest in Peace?
November 1, 2002

False Gods
October 1, 2002

What's in a Word?
September 1, 2002

Measuring Success
August 1, 2002

Many organizations have an interest in enterprise application integration (EAI) lately.
July 26, 2002 Many organizations have an interest in enterprise application integration (EAI) lately. How are business intelligence...

In your opinion, what will be the hottest industry sectors (for example, banking, health care, insurance) for BI applications in the coming year across North America?
July 26, 2002 In your opinion, what will be the hottest industry sectors (for example, banking, health care, insurance) for BI...

I have been asked to do a study of DW features of SQL 2K and Oracle 9i. How do I proceed with such an exhaustive study?
July 26, 2002 I have been asked to do a study of DW features of SQL 2K and Oracle 9i. How do I proceed with such an exhaustive study?

My company wishes to study changes to its customer file.
July 26, 2002 My company wishes to study changes to its customer file. A customer may be ranked a "10" one day and only a "9" the next....

I want to start a bank project on a data warehouse. How do I go about it?
July 26, 2002 I want to start a bank project on a data warehouse. How do I go about it?

BI Architecture Tiers
July 1, 2002

What does migration to the architected environment mean?
June 25, 2002 What does migration to the architected environment mean?

Please explain the architecture of a data warehouse or direct me to books with figures so that I can visualize it.
June 25, 2002 Please explain the architecture of a data warehouse or direct me to books with figures so that I can visualize it.

What is the relationship between the data warehouse and data marts?
June 25, 2002 What is the relationship between the data warehouse and data marts?

What are top-down and bottom-up models and how do they differ?
June 25, 2002 What are top-down and bottom-up models and how do they differ?

We are using Ascential DataStage version 4.2 and I am having difficulty justifying the cost of the tool for Oracle source to Oracle warehouse loading of information.
June 25, 2002 We are using Ascential DataStage version 4.2 and I am having difficulty justifying the cost of the tool for Oracle source to...

How do I cut my warehouse costs? I need general tips to reduce my warehouse costs.
June 25, 2002 How do I cut my warehouse costs? I need general tips to reduce my warehouse costs.

We have implemented a data warehouse and we use OLAP (Essbase) and MS Access to query the data in the warehouse.
June 25, 2002 We have implemented a data warehouse and we use OLAP (Essbase) and MS Access to query the data in the warehouse. We need a...

We have a successful data warehouse (which is to say that business users are asking for more at an accelerating rate) and I am having a real
June 25, 2002 We have a successful data warehouseand I am having a real problem getting the business users and other IT groups to...

What are the implications to a data warehouse implementation striving toward a zero latency enterprise (ZLE) solution?
June 5, 2002 What are the implications to a data warehouse implementation striving toward a zero latency enterprise (ZLE) solution? Is...

My company is planning to replace our old BI tool.
June 5, 2002 My company is planning to replace our old BI tool. One of our legacy systems uses an INGRES database. How much of a...

Could you please tell me how to document a detailed methodology for establishing/maintaining a data warehouse.
June 5, 2002 Could you please tell me how to document a detailed methodology for establishing/maintaining a data warehouse. It would...

Cultural Scalability
June 1, 2002

Architecture of Architectures
May 1, 2002

The Personal Data Warehouse
April 1, 2002

There are some lively discussions going on regarding the appropriate use of surrogate keys versus natural keys.
March 13, 2002 There are some lively discussions going on regarding the appropriate use of surrogate keys versus natural keys. What is your...

I have a question about OLAP.
March 13, 2002 I have a question about OLAP. OLAP is very popular recently. Before when we were talking about BI, we wanted to know our...

Our client already has many data marts without a data warehouse.
March 13, 2002 Our client already has many data marts without a data warehouse. I have to build the enterprise data warehouse, but I don't...

We are building a data warehouse which will start at 100GB and will reach the terabyte range or more.
March 13, 2002 We are building a data warehouse which will start at 100GB and will reach the terabyte range or more. Can Oracle scale to meet...

We are looking to implement a new messaging/middleware tool before our existing middleware tool causes havoc or grinds to a halt.
March 13, 2002 We are looking to implement a new messaging/middleware tool before our existing middleware tool causes havoc or grinds to a...

What is the scope of business analysis in a data warehousing environment?
March 13, 2002 What is the scope of business analysis in a data warehousing environment? Is data modeling the job of a business analyst in...

My company is implementing a DW, later this year an EAI project will be initiated.
March 13, 2002 My company is implementing a DW, later this year an EAI project will be initiated. Are there any design considerations,...

I am studying DSS as part of my coursework at secondary school
March 13, 2002 I am studying DSS as part of my coursework at secondary school and found your Web site very useful. However, I am currently...

Is there any recommendation as to the best way to set up a DW team structure?
March 13, 2002 Is there any recommendation as to the best way to set up a DW team structure? Is it better to have specialists who focus on...

I'm preparing a work about BI, especially SPSS� BI products.
March 12, 2002 I'm preparing a work about BI, especially SPSS� BI products. Could you please, give more information about the market of BI...

And the Winner Is...
March 1, 2002

Analysis, Inc.
February 1, 2002

We Can
January 1, 2002 An incredibly diverse world of data needs to be integrated and analyzed to reveal our enemies, prevent further tragedies...

The Future is Now
December 1, 2001

Back to Basics
November 1, 2001

Blue Ribbons
October 1, 2001

Addressing the Troops
September 1, 2001

The Bake-Off of One
August 1, 2001

Paying the Price
July 1, 2001

Hub-and-Spoke Federation Communication
June 1, 2001

Federation Variation
May 1, 2001

Where can I find success stories of financial services companies that have successfully implemented a data warehouse?
April 30, 2001 Where can I find success stories of financial services companies that have successfully implemented a data warehouse? Who...

We have a DSS system and use it to calculate profit at a slightly aggregated level.
April 30, 2001 Is there a technique we could use in designing tables to deal with changing history for profit as well as store/region?

I have several questions regarding testing.
April 30, 2001 I have several questions regarding testing. What key issues should I consider when testing a specific warehouse solution?...

I have been asked to compare the strengths and weakness of Business Objects, Brio Query, Impromptu and Crystal Reports.
April 30, 2001 I have been asked to compare the strengths and weakness of Business Objects, Brio Query, Impromptu and Crystal Reports. Is...

How can I find the best available business intelligence tool?
April 30, 2001 How can I find the best available business intelligence tool?

I would like to get some feedback regarding implementing a SAP BW solution prior to any installation of R/3.
April 30, 2001 Why aren�t we hearing of more companies implementing BW on a stand-alone basis?

What is the general criteria or guidelines for selecting the extraction, transformation and load (ETL) tools best suited for your data warehouse?
April 30, 2001 What is the general criteria or guidelines for selecting the extraction, transformation and load (ETL) tools best suited for...

What are the differences between data integration and enterprise application integration (EAI)?
April 30, 2001 What are the differences between data integration and enterprise application integration (EAI)?

We are currently designing the processes needed for obtaining customer data for customer relationship management (CRM).
April 2, 2001 We are currently designing the processes needed for obtaining customer data for customer relationship management (CRM)....

In what types of business are data mining and data warehousing needed and how are they implemented?
April 2, 2001 In what types of business are data mining and data warehousing needed and how are they implemented?

Is there a widely recognized certification for data warehouse professionals? If so, what organization issues the certification?
April 2, 2001 professionals? If so, what organization issues the certification?

Federation Glue
April 1, 2001

The Seven Deadly Sins Revisited, Part 2
March 1, 2001

The Seven Deadly Sins Revisited
February 1, 2001

The Power of Process
January 1, 2001

The Security Myth
December 1, 2000

The Dispersion of the Power of BI
November 1, 2000

The Vein of Pain
October 1, 2000

I am looking for AS/400 to AS/400 data warehouse solution.
September 1, 2000 Most companies seem to be going from the AS/400 to NT. Is this simply a cost issue?

We are currently evaluating meta data repository tools and the vendors sell themselves through their flexibility and extensibility.
September 1, 2000 Is there a vendor that can provide a "canned" meta data model so we don't have to define our own from scratch?

What are the top enterprise information portal (EIP) vendors?
September 1, 2000 What are the top enterprise information portal (EIP) vendors?

CRM Prerequisite #1: A Data Warehouse System
September 1, 2000

I work for a non- profit organization that is just starting to write an RFP for their membership database and redesign of their Web site.
September 1, 2000 My organization is starting to write an RFP for their membership database and redesign their Web site. I have been assigned to...

What are the best methods to understand requirements for a data warehouse? Are there specific format requirements for gathering, analysis and planning?
September 1, 2000 What are the best methods to understand "requirements" for a data warehouse?

My company developed a tool we have classified as OLAP-D, D because it has its own syntax to let the business user define the business meta data as formulas.
September 1, 2000 My company developed a tool we have classified as OLAP-D. How do we go about commercializing it?

Is there an OLAP tool available that has direct connectivity to an Oracle database, or is using a text file the norm when dealing with Oracle?
September 1, 2000 Is there an OLAP tool available that has direct connectivity to an Oracle database?

Are there any national or worldwide business intelligence consortiums or associations?
September 1, 2000 Are there any national or worldwide business intelligence consortiums or associations?

E-BI Keys to Success
August 1, 2000

What is the best way to deal with currencies in a data warehouse for a worldwide organization that wishes to allow people to view their data in local, reporting currency?
July 1, 2000 What is the best way to deal with currencies in a data warehouse for a worldwide organization that wishes to allow people to...

What are the best practices when it comes to deciding between a mainframe and NT environment for a data warehouse.
July 1, 2000 What are the best practices when it comes to deciding between a mainframe and NT environment for a data warehouse?

What do you think are the most important criteria when selecting a data storage vendor?
July 1, 2000 What do you think are the most important criteria when selecting a data storage vendor?

The Wireless Warehouse
July 1, 2000

I'm interested in knowing the elements/dimensions that would be required to build a customer data mart and marketing data mart for an e- commerce company.
July 1, 2000 What are the elements/dimensions that would be required to build a customer data mart and a marketing data mart for an...

We are a service organization that handles campaign-based response (calls, e-mail and e- forms).
July 1, 2000 Do you know if there are solutions for service organizations that handle a lot of responses in a multi-channeling,...

How to Federate
June 1, 2000

When to Federate
May 1, 2000

Federated FAQs
April 1, 2000

I'm in the process of selecting client tools (DOLAP) for our Microsoft OLAP services-based data warehouse.
March 1, 2000 I'm in the process of selecting client tools (DOLAP) for our Microsoft OLAP services-based data warehouse. Where can I find...

I am looking for a data mining solution and currently see SAS as being the leading provider.
March 1, 2000 Can you suggest who might be the main competitors to SAS in terms of data mining solutions?

What benefits can a data warehouse implementation have in the insurance sector?
March 1, 2000 What benefits can a data warehouse implementation have in the insurance sector?

Advance the Plot
March 1, 2000

I'm now in the process of evaluating two proposals for a data warehousing project.
March 1, 2000 I'm in the process of evaluating two proposals for a data warehousing project. Can you recommend any evaluation criteria?

My company has finished the first phase of a data warehouse, with total size of about 100GB.
March 1, 2000 Can you make a recommendation for an RDBMS candidate for our data warehouse?

We are at the preliminary stages of designing a data mart/data warehouse for a large government organization.
March 1, 2000 Our data warehouse is anticipated to grow to 1 TB during the next year, and we are attempting to determine the best hardware...

We are considering implementing an Oracle DB to consolidate a few older DB's (Sybase, SQL).
March 1, 2000 We are considering implementing an Oracle DB to consolidate a few older databases. Which platform would you recommend, NT or...

We've built a 350GB data warehouse to house personnel records.
March 1, 2000 What magnitude of performance improvement could we expect to see if we were to redesign the data warehouse using a dimensional...

Beware of Insularity
February 1, 2000

The Federated Future
January 1, 2000

During the planning process of a data warehouse and BI solution, what elements will determine the choice of these 2 approaches:
December 1, 1999 During the planning process of a data warehouse and BI solution, what elements will determine the choice of our approach?

We have just delivered our first data mart.
December 1, 1999 Should individual users have access to the warehouse, or should we implement a "help desk" setup whereby a user could request...

There are certain fields in the warehouse that are of a sensitive nature (i.e. credit card numbers).
December 1, 1999 What is the most common/best practice method of loading "sensitive" fields and having a reasonable amount of security to...

What technologies are available to allow my data warehouse to be updated
December 1, 1999 What technologies are available to allow my data warehouse to be updated during the "online day?"

Suppose data, such as prices, is kept in a text-file (non-ODBC) and other product data is kept in ODBC-databases and they need to be linked, what would be the best solution?
December 1, 1999 What would be the best solution to link databases?

How valid is data warehousing for any manufacturing sector?
December 1, 1999 How valid is data warehousing for the manufacturing sector?

My organization has a huge reporting requirement based on data taken from mainframe reports on a daily basis.
December 1, 1999 Can you suggest some strategies/architectures/white papers that I should consult about building a reporting tool?

What is the progress of data warehousing in Asia?
December 1, 1999 What is the progress of data warehousing in Asia?

The March of Progress
December 1, 1999

I'm working in a telephone company that is only three years old and still in a growing phase.
December 1, 1999 I'm considering a RAD approach (like DSDM) instead of a classical waterfall approach for our data warehouse project. What is...

I've read that one of the advantages of star schema over snowflake schema is that the end users understand its table structure better.
December 1, 1999 Why should we care that an end user would understand the physical table structure when there are access tools that can...

Here They Come...
November 1, 1999

These days there is a lot of noise in the media about ERP vendors' DW strategies.
October 1, 1999 How you measure SAP's solution against other, more "traditional" tools?

What are the objectives that should be considered for a data warehousing strategy?
October 1, 1999 What are the objectives that should be considered for a data warehousing strategy?

What is the typical rate within data warehousing for promoting changes that effect transformation and data cleansing for existing subject areas that are in production?
October 1, 1999 What is the typical rate within data warehousing for promoting changes that effect transformation and data cleansing for...

What criteria should be used to determine if an existing data mart should continue to exist?
October 1, 1999 What criteria should be used to determine if an existing data mart should continue to exist?

The Hidden Jewel
October 1, 1999

Does Microsoft plan to release a client tool for its OLAP server, or do they let third-party vendors do the job with the intent to focus on the server side only?
October 1, 1999 Does Microsoft plan to release a client tool for its OLAP server?

Where We're Going
September 1, 1999

We are in the prototyping phase of our data warehouse.
August 1, 1999 My IT partners recommend we use a software called Oracle warehouse builder to prototype our data warehouse, which would be...

A data warehouse is subject-oriented. Are there any rules to go about defining the subjects?
August 1, 1999 They say a data warehouse is subject-oriented. What are the rules about defining the subjects?

We are looking at the future architecture of our DW.
August 1, 1999 Would it be better to consolidate all of our fact tables into one fact table for the enterprise and have different aggregates...

What are the major differences between ROLAP and MOLAP?
August 1, 1999 What are the differences between ROLAP and MOLAP?

What are the reasons one would choose data warehousing over a relational design?
August 1, 1999 What are the reasons one would choose data warehousing over a relational design?

Analytical Applications Defined
July 1, 1999

The Gift of the Amish
June 1, 1999

Market of Millions
May 1, 1999

Great Expectations
April 1, 1999

Feel Ain't Real
March 1, 1999

Parenthood
February 1, 1999

How about 0% ROI?
January 1, 1999

The Bull's-Eye
December 1, 1998

Be Process Driven, Not Data Driven
November 1, 1998

Lessons from Down Under
October 1, 1998