S p e c i a l   I s s u e : D a t a W a r e h o u s i n g

Visualizing Data by Peter L. Brooks You can use data visualization tools in a standalone environment; however, they are most effective for analyzing information in a data warehouse. This article examines sophisticated graphic and visualization development tools that are tailored for business applications. Worlds in Collision by Neil Raden To select a query and analysis tool that truly meets business requirements, it is best to take a cognitive, rather than technical, approach. Neil Raden examines the current offerings in this area based on how people use them, focusing on application scalability. A Dimensional Modeling Manifesto by Ralph Kimball Dimensional Modeling (DM) is a logical design technique that differs from Entity-Relation Modeling. This article points out the variances between the two techniques and argues for DM as the only viable technique for databases designed to support end-user queries in a data warehouse. Metadata: The Missing Link by Richard P. Sherman The missing link needed to open up data warehouses to the business community is the Business Information Directory (BID). This article explores the commercially available BIDs and explains their importance to successful decision-support environments.

From the Editor by Maurice Frank Would you run your enterprise database applications on Windows NT? Enterprise C/S by Judith Hurwitz To push or to pull -- that is the question. Data Warehouse Architect by Ralph Kimball The art of role modeling. SQL for Smarties by Joe Celko Traveling woes and testing correlations. Application Architect by David S. Linthicum Borland's Midas touch. Server Side by Martin Rennhackkamp Warehousing with Sybase IQ. Object.Client by Tom Spitzer Deploying databases on the Web.

Hands-On Reviews Edited by Betsy Slattery Infospace Inc.'s SpaceOLAP is a Java-based OLAP and DSS solution that lets you drill, pivot, and select data from your browser. Netiva Software's Netiva lets users create multiuser relational databases that are automatically networked and instantly deployable on Intranets. Soft Notes, new client/server database products and upgrades.

Letters Event Alerter A calendar of conferences, trade shows, and seminars. Client/Server Connection News from around the industry. Advertiser Directory Links to this month's advertisers.