Bulk purchases are only a part of the equation because agreements could be reached with publishers, etc. to obtain external information and make it available to users. For example, this would be very applicable to libraries. In the warehouse, uniform financial, student, and other information would be available for internal campus reporting and external reporting to state agencies. For example, faculty information for grants and contracts including tracking of accountability for resources. Also, better student tracking would be possible.
Accountability is a growing issue.
Warehouse is not just internal because public is interested in accountability also. Operational databases run current business so these databases would provide input into the data warehouse. Includes more flexible presentation with security so that only appropriate data would appear to user. It should also include historical data for comparison purposes. Sometimes data needs are at summary level but other times they are transaction specific or even sub-transaction level.