How to Extend the Data Warehouse Database
The Data Warehouse import functions are designed to import data based on Commerce Server 2009 default settings. The method that you use to extend the Data Warehouse database to import new data depends on the type of data that you want to import.
For example, if you are adding user profile properties or product catalog properties, you can set the Export attribute in the Profile Definition Designer and the Store data for analysis attribute in the Catalog Definition Designer to tell the Data Warehouse to make the schema change required to accept the new data. Additionally, you can use custom attributes to designate the table and row in the Data Warehouse in which the data should be stored. Reusing existing columns in the Data Warehouse will present that data in an existing report. You can also import data into new tables and columns. If you import data into new columns, you will have to create new reports for that data.
If you want to import other types of data into the Data Warehouse, you will have to physically extend the Data Warehouse. For example, you would extend the Data Warehouse to import sales data from your brick-and-mortar store. Additionally, you would create a custom report to report on the new data that enables you to analyze both online sales and brick-and-mortar sales.
The following table describes the ways in which you can extend the Data Warehouse to handle new data.
Import data type |
Data Warehouse extension method |
|---|---|
New profile property |
Select the Export attribute for the property in the profile definition. The Profile data import DTS task will automatically extend the schema of the Data Warehouse database to handle the new profile property. Alternatively, you can use custom attributes in the profile definition to designate a specific column in a specific table in the Data Warehouse in which the data will be stored. If you store the data in an existing column, the data will be included in an existing report. If you decide to store the data in a new column, the Data Warehouse will create the column during the import process, and you will have to create a new report to report on the data. For information about how to extend the Data Warehouse to import profile properties and designate a new or existing Data Warehouse column in which the imported profile data will be stored, see How to Select Profile Properties for Import. |
New transaction property |
Use the TransDimension table in the Transaction database to select which transaction properties are imported into the Data Warehouse. The Transaction data import DTS task will automatically extend the schema of the Data Warehouse database to handle the new transaction property. .gif "Note") Note:
Do not delete the default records from the TransDimension table. Only add new records to this table, and only delete those new records from this table.
For information about how to extend the Data Warehouse to import transaction properties, see How to Select Transaction Properties for Import. |
New catalog property |
Select the Store data for analysis attribute for the property in the catalog definition. The Product catalog import DTS task will automatically extend the schema of the Data Warehouse database to handle the new catalog property. |