Enterprise Data Warehouse Initiative - Phase 1
Phase 1 - Feasibility Study and Prototype included four deliverables: a needs assessment, a prototype, an enterprise approach and a business justification.
The needs assessment documented the State’s need for financial information in a robust, consistent and cost effective manner. This assessment recommended the adoption of a “Statewide Information Strategy” that defines and articulates, at a statewide level, how data assets are to be accessed, managed and controlled. It further recommended the State consider the usage of standard tools and methodologies for statewide data access.
The prototype deliverable demonstrated the value and technical feasibility of data warehousing and business intelligence. The Office of State Personnel (OSP) and the Department of the State Treasurer participated in the development of the prototype for NC State Government workforce planning. This prototype demonstrated the value and capabilities of analytics to support business needs. Upon its demonstration it was recommended that this project be developed for production.
The enterprise approach documented the State’s business need for data warehousing capabilities. It further identified the need for a common set of analytical tools and the development of a shared utility that would deliver data warehousing and business analytics in an economical and service-oriented manner.
Following this recommendation and under the authority granted with Senate Bill 991, Information Technology Services (ITS) commenced with two enterprise initiatives: statewide enterprise licensing, and a data warehouse shared services utility. To this effort, ITS executed an upgrade of an existing State SAS enterprise license to the SAS Version 9 Enterprise Technology configuration. This upgrade allowed ITS and its customers to take advantage of software functionality in the areas of data warehousing, data management, business intelligence, and advanced analytics. Furthering the enterprise capabilities, ITS developed a Data Warehousing Shared Service Utility which provides an infrastructure that supports data warehousing and the use of business analytics. This utility offers a shared technical environment upon which agencies and programs can realize economies of scale and improved agility.
The business justification deliverable focused on a comprehensive approach to data warehousing and business intelligence in the State. This effort leveraged the State’s enterprise license agreement with SAS and the Data Warehouse Shared Services Utility. Upon this report, the State extended the Phase 1 of the Enterprise Data Warehouse initiative to include the design, development and implementation of individual agency data warehouse projects. The following three projects were undertaken:
- DOR Corporate Tax Data Warehouse
- OSA Non-Governmental Organization Grant Compliance Project
- OSP NC Works Project (Phase 1)
Each project showcased the value of data warehousing and business analytics. The DOR Corporate Tax Data Warehouse provided improved statistical information on taxes paid by corporations, improved the accuracy of fiscal impact statements for corporate tax changes, and aided in the identification of areas of non-compliance by corporations. The OSA Non-Governmental Organization Grant Compliance Data Warehouse improved the efficiency and accuracy of compliance determination while offering transparency into grant activity and compliance. The OSP NC Works Project (Phase 1) built upon the effort initiated during the deliverable of the prototype, by enabling state government the ability to proactively manage and forecast needs around a defined talent area.
On April 30, 2008, the BEACON Enterprise Data Warehouse - Phase 1 Report acknowledged the accomplishments of each agency project, and substantiated the value of data warehousing and the use of analytics.