Buzzword: “ODS”

The Operational Data Store (or ODS), is classically defined as a physically integrated view of all or part of the transactional data environment.  The term is generally used in conjunction with a Data Warehouse (DW) and Data Marts (DM) to form the analytical data architecture triumvirate.

The ODS typically distinguishes itself from the DW and DM in two ways:

1. Latency - the ODS is generally populated more frequently than a DW or DM, and newer systems offer near-real time access to underlying transactional data, either via virtual data integration or trickle feeds that populate the ODS on a continuous basis.
2. Data structure - the ODS is typically a more normalized model than a DW or DM.  This facilitates lower latency refreshes as the model more closely matches the transactional system.  This also support the type of reporting and data distribution methods typically seen with an ODS, e.g., spreadsheet like operational reports, or data feeds to a customer care application.

In additional to providing the DW/DM with a clean integrated view of the transactional environment, the ODS directly supports business groups such as Customer Care.  Integrating care applications with the ODS allows for richer customer data for screen pops, real-time insight into multiple communication channels, and access to all products and services for a customer.

That being said, the ODS as was defined 10 years ago is dying, and is being replaced by EII technology that combines virtual and physical data integration with a meta data layer providing end users with a deeper understanding the the data.

This entry was posted on 22. May 2008 at 12:43 and is filed under Industry Buzzwords. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.