May 8, 2012

Data mart vs Data warehouse


Data Mart is a specific, subject oriented, repository of data designed to answer specific questions for a specific set of users. So an organization could have multiple data marts serving the needs of marketing, sales, operations, collections, etc. A data mart usually is organized as one dimensional model as a star-schema (OLAP cube) made of a fact table and multiple dimension tables.

In contrast, a Data Warehouse (DW) is a single organizational repository of enterprise wide data across many or all subject areas. The Data Warehouse is the authoritative repository of all the fact and dimension data (that is also available in the data marts) at an atomic level.


Data warehouse or Data Mart?


Data Warehouse:
  • Holds multiple subject areas
  • Holds very detailed information
  • Works to integrate all data sources
  • Does not necessarily use a dimensional model but feeds dimensional models.
Data Mart

  • Often holds only one subject area- for example, Finance, or Sales
  • May hold more summarised data (although many hold full detail)
  • Concentrates on integrating information from a given subject area or set of source systems
  • Is built focused on a dimensional model using a star schema.

Also Refer:

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