Data Warehousing Principles and Ethics
Data warehousing is no longer simply a storage system for data. TodayÆs data warehousing involves innovative technological software, automated ôagents,ö known as intelligent agents, robotsùor ôbotsöùand ants. These agents are capable of doing calculations or text searches to delve out specific requested information, such as letting the user know when a particular condition is met (Wilken 77). Data warehousing has experienced a surge of interest since intelligent agents have been introduced; in 1993, only 5% of those queried stated that they were investigating data warehouses, but one year later the figure jumped to 90% (Wilken 77). In essence, the use of intelligent agents is a form of data mining that allows the user to obtain far more significant information about customers and their preferences than used to be possible. Data mining is:
àthe process of discovering meaningful new correlations, patterns, and trends by sifting through large amounts of data stored in data warehouses and by using pattern recognition technologies as well as statistical and mathematical techniques (Bose & Sugumaran 77).
The value of data mining is that it permits the user to extract previously unknown information from data warehouse data and leverage it into competitive advantage (Bose & Sugumaran 77). Advanced analytical techniques such as neural networks and fuzzy logic are used to gather the business intelligence that can assist the user in making business decisions (Bose & Sugumaran 77).
ôAntsö are intelligent agents based on the behavior of the insects they are named for, which collaborate efficiently ôwithout relying on a central planö (Patch). They provide the basis for multi-agent systemsùôsystems in which many intelligent agents interact with each otherö as autonomous agents (Sycara). The resulting group of interacting intelligent agents is like a dedicated team of robots d...