Semantically Modeled Enterprise Databases

Abstract

A semantically modeled enterprise database is a reflection of the reality of the activities in which an enterprise engages and the resources and people involved in those activities. Many organizations have invested immense sums of money in enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) and associated “bolt-on” applications such as customer relationship management (CRM) and advanced planning systems (APS). A significant portion of the value of these systems is in the integrated database and associated data warehouse. To maximize value, the database should serve as a semantic representation of the organization. Otherwise, relevant information needed to reflect the organization’s activities may be omitted or may be stored in such a way that the underlying reality is hidden or disguised and is therefore of no use to decision makers.