Data virtualization can help you accomplish your goals with more flexibility and agility. Learn what it is and how and why it should be used with Data Virtualization for Business Intelligence Systems. In this book, expert author Rick van der Lans explains how data virtualization servers work, what techniques to use to optimize access to various data sources and how these products can be applied in different projects. You’ll learn the difference is between this new form of data integration and older forms, such as ETL and replication, and gain a clear understanding of how data virtualization really works. Data Virtualization for Business Intelligence Systems outlines the advantages and disadvantages of data virtualization and illustrates how data virtualization should be applied in data warehouse environments. You’ll come away with a comprehensive understanding of how data virtualization will make data warehouse environments more flexible and how it make developing operational BI applications easier. Van der Lans also describes the relationship between data virtualization and related topics, such as master data management, governance, and information management, so you come away with a big-picture understanding as well as all the practical know-how you need to virtualize your data.

"This book for those in business and information management explains how to use data virtualization in business intelligence systems…Some general knowledge of data warehousing, business intelligence, and database technology is assumed." --Reference and Research Book News, December 2012

Rick F. van der Lans is an independent consultant, author, and lecturer specializing in business intelligence, data warehousing, and database technology. He is the managing director of R20/Consultancy which is based in The Netherlands. Rick has advised many large companies worldwide on defining their data warehouse architectures. He is the chairman of the annual European BI and Data Warehousing Conference organized in London, he writes for B-eye-Network.com, BI-platform.nl, and for Database Magazine. He is the author of several books on database technology, including Introduction to SQL (Addison-Wesley, 2006), currently in its fourth edition.