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Enterprise Data Warehouse Initiative

Session Law 2001-491 directed the Office of the State Controller to determine the feasibility of developing and implementing a new business infrastructure for the State. The study concluded that continued use of the current business systems may adversely impact the fiscal integrity of state government, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. Moreover, the results of this study highlighted the need for data warehousing functionality within the State.

The BEACON (Building Enterprise Access for NC’s Core Operation Needs) - Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) initiative began in March 2005. The primary goal of this initiative was to enhance the State’s accessibility to information, and its use of data analytics for improved decision making.

The BEACON EDW project was divided into three phases:

  • Phase 1 - Feasibility Study and Prototype
  • Phase 2 - Planning and Requirements
  • Phase 3 - Implementation

Phase 1 activity, was successfully completed and offered the following recommendations:

  • Develop a strategy that promotes an enterprise approach to data warehousing and the use of analytical tools to support business needs and problems.
  • Establish a managed and organized approach to data integration and information sharing, where stakeholders with interrelated disciplines, domains of knowledge, experiences and skills, collaborate to promote data integration throughout the organization.
  • Promote resource development by establishing a centralized repository of tools, techniques, training material and technology best practices.
  • Develop a strategy that promotes the use of analytical tools across multiple levels of the State organization.
  • Apply a strategic vision in developing solutions to business problems and needs, transforming individual agency solutions to enterprise-level problem resolutions.
  • Identify agencies with opportunities to enhance existing data warehouses with extended functionality and to integrate disparate data bases.
  • Identify agencies that can benefit most from utilizing the DW shared service.
  • Leverage ITS Shared Services Utility and Enterprise Licensing Agreements where feasible.
  • Merge the scope of work included in the BEACON Enterprise Data Warehouse Initiative, Phase 2 and 3, into the BEACON Data Integration Initiative set forth by Session Law 2007-323, HB 1473.