Boise goes for Oracle data marts

By ADAM GIFFORD

Boise Cascade Office Products has replaced its Informix-based data warehouse with three "data marts" running on the new Oracle9i database.

"We wanted a fully integrated solution that could deliver all three components of a data warehouse: the database engine, query and extraction functions, and a user-friendly interface," said Richard Van Rynbach, Boise Cascade's data warehouse manager.

The three data marts which extract data from the JD Edwards enterprise resource planning system will be used to analyse sales, key performance indicators and inventory.

A data mart is a repository of data gathered from operational data and other sources to serve a particular group in a company.

"It means managers will be able to go in and track day-on-day sales versus target, or do customer reviews by any category and channel and order size," Van Rynbach said.

Oracle and implementers Data Warehouse Associates set up the three data marts in three months, and they are now being rolled out to about 40 users. The cost of such a project was "in the ballpark of $500,000", including licences, hardware and implementation costs.

Van Rynbach said that by switching to the new database Boise was able to take advantage of new smarter tools that allow more complex analysis of data.

Boise Cascade NZ operates under brands that include OTC Workplace Partners and Whitcoulls Office Products.