Recent Developments in Data Warehousing

Data warehousing is a strategic business and IT initiative in many organizations today. Data warehouses can be developed in two alternative ways -- the data mart and the enterprise-wide data warehouse strategies -- and each has advantages and disadvantages. To create a data warehouse, data must be extracted from source systems, transformed, and loaded to an appropriate data store. Depending on the business requirements, either relational or multidimensional database technology can be used for the data stores. To provide a multidimensional view of the data using a relational database, a star schema data model is used. Online analytical processing can be performed on both kinds of database technology. Metadata about the data in the warehouse is important for IT and end users. A variety of data access tools and applications can be used with a data warehouse - SQL queries, management reporting systems, managed query environments, DSS/EIS, enterprise intelligence portals, data mining, and customer relationship management. A data warehouse can be used to support a variety of users - executive, managers, analysts, operational personnel, customers, and suppliers. Data warehousing concepts are brought to life through a case study of Harrah\u27s Entertainment, a firm that became a leader in the gaming industry with its CRM business strategy supported by data warehousing

East Midlands strategic distribution study

This study assesses the importance of the logistics sector to the economy of the East Midlands and provides an understanding of land requirements and demand for sites from logistics companies in the region in the short, medium and long term

Tracking the Economy of the City of Atlanta: Past Trends and Future Prospects

This report explores the changes in the level and composition of employment in the City of Atlanta over the last 25 years. FRC Report 17

The impact of economic and supply chain trends on British warehousing

Purpose: Warehouses are key nodes in many supply chains and typically represent over 20% of logistics costs. However, other than property market studies, there has been relatively little research on warehousing, particularly as regards how trends in warehouses may relate to changes in such parameters as wider economic and supply chain factors. The purpose of this paper is to examine this area in order to explore how trends in warehousing may relate to existing warehousing and supply chain theory so as to facilitate further research into the relationship between warehousing and "smarter" logistics strategies and efficient supply chain performance. Research approach: The paper is based on a longitudinal study examining the take-up (i.e. occupation) of new large warehouses in Great Britain over the past 16 years covering some 700 records. For the purposes of this study, large warehouses are classified as those over 100,000 square feet (9,290 square metres) in area. These trends, together with those of total warehouse stock, are then related to national statistics, warehouse surveys, supply chain changes and other relevant data over that period. Findings and Originality: This is a rare longitudinal study of this subject. It is found that, until the recent recession, the total warehouse stock, as well as the take-up of large warehouses, has been increasing and this can be associated with such factors as economic growth, retail spending and globalisation. Both the footprint and height of large warehouses has been rising and this may be due to such factors as network economies and warehouse technology. The locations of warehouses are becoming more dispersed, possibly due to the growth in e-commerce and port-centric logistics. In addition, it was found that large warehouses have been increasingly taken up by retailers and manufacturers rather than logistics companies. Research impact: This paper examines the possible influence of economic and supply chain trends on warehousing in Great Britain. As well as testing existing theories, the data provides a sound foundation for future research. For example, there have been conflicting evidence in previous research regarding economies and diseconomies of scale and this discussion can now be set against trends in warehouse footprint and height. Practical impact: The paper provides a better understanding and basis for decision making by planners, developers, funding corporations, operators and end users. For example, topics such as size and height of buildings are examined, as well as trends in port-centric logistics, rail connections and e-fulfilment. The changing nature of warehouse designs in terms of wider economic and supply chain trends is particularly important for practitioners as warehousing costs are to a large extent determined at the design phase and have a major impact on the effectiveness of the overall supply chain of which they are a part

Approaching delivery as a service

This paper explores the new logistics business model of Delivery as a Service, a concept aiming at a more efficient, fast and customer-oriented practice, linking IT solution development, urban logistics operations, supply chain efficiency and new business models. Delivery as a Service (DaaS) is defined as a service-oriented delivery and business processes in line with customer expectations and needs in the on-demand economy. The approach of this paper is an industry report based on evidence collected in multiple exploratory European projects integrating ambitious and strategic findings on Internet of Things, urban planning, consolidation centres, transport optimisation, and clean vehicle use. It contributes to a future scenario of urban logistics business models