Building the Operational Data Store

The ODS is probably one of the least understood and most confusing concepts within the Corporate Information Factory. Most likely because it is, by definition, a compromise, in both purpose and design, between operational and decision support systems. Although Inmon generally does not write with the clarity of Kimball, after reading this book most confusion about the ODS should be eliminated. The author does a good job of describing the concepts as well as deeper issues such as high and low level ODS designs. About half the book is really good while the other half will either be redundant to anyone in the industry (Managing an ODS, Role of Standards, Hardware and Software Requirements) or contains information mainly to "pump up the volume" (Big glossary, Project Milestones, Articles of Interest). Overall though it's pretty good and required reading.