Multidimensional schemas for engineering asset management

The amount of data that modern companies collect is ever increasing. With organisations that own a plethora of information systems, structured integration of data has become a pressing issue. Many companies have turned to data warehousing to bridge the gap of turning data into useful information and knowledge; however the data involved are typically from softer business domains rather than engineering-related domains. We investigate the area of engineering asset management data warehousing by examining the multidimensional modelling of asset management data. The multidimensional schemas are derived from the relational model in the MIMOSA OSA-EAI. The standards-based approach provides for platform neutrality, and as the OSA-EAI is a generic model, rules are given for company-specific implementations. From initial testing, query formation with multidimensional models is less complex than Third Normal Form models.