Fact data with OLTP

Hi All,

I need an best practices approach to bringing OLTP (app's) data to DW. Had a request to bring App data (have no measures) to build some user reports out by joining multiple Facts and Dimensions. The App data is not suitable for put as FACT or Dimension. What is the best approach to handle this?.

Any ideas

Thanks

Hi - you can always model any data as facts and dimensions, even if you have no measures you can have factless fact tables. If you need to create analytical reports (how many, how much, when, by whom, etc.) then bring the data into your dimensional model/DW.

However, if the requirement is to just print records from your OLTP system but make them look pretty (e.g. print an invoice from data coming from order header and order line tables) then I wouldn't bring the data into your DW but just report directly against your OLTP system.

If you could provide some more detail about the type of data you have in your OLTP and what reports you have to produce it would be easier for other people to make suggestions.

Regards,