Web Enabling a Large Data Warehouse: Improved Metadata for Expert Analysts and Wider Access to Management Information

The New Zealand Department of Social Welfare (DSW) has a large, well-established and successful corporate data warehouse. This warehouse first went into production in 1996. It has been continually enhanced since that time, and now services more than one government department. The hardware has been upgraded, the data quantity and sources have increased, and more vital information is being provided from the data warehouse. Although the number of users has doubled to over fifty, until recently access was still limited to analysts with specialist SAS skills. This paper presents our experience of, and the lessons learnt from Web enabling a large and mature data warehouse: from determining the real need and benefits, to undertaking research and appropriate planning, through to implementation. The decision to Web enable the warehouse was motivated by two business needs. The first requirement was to provide analysts with improved metadata: centralising the information from a variety of locations and disseminating it to analysts in a timely and relevant manner. The second requirement was to provide direct access to management information from the warehouse to nonexpert users, particularly in a time of rapid political change. THE WAREHOUSE BACKGROUND The Department of Social Welfare data warehouse first came into production in January 1996. The department sees the data warehouse as a continuous on-going project.