In the mappings a table or set of tables are selected in the source module and are mapped to tables in the target module. At the detail mapping level each target column is mapped from a source column or from a transformation function that could have one or more inputs from the source system. Figure 4 shows a sample low-level mapping. As a general rule, dimension tables are loaded before the fact tables. Using Oracle Workflow the mappings can be executed in the order necessary as demonstrated in Figure 6.
Many people confuse manual analysis, slice and dice, drill down, etc. with data mining.
That process is simply analysis and reporting. Data mining is more of a database process that analyzes the data in the warehouse in search of patterns in the data that may not be found in a manual search. Once patterns are known they can be applied in a predictive manner to help encourage or prevent events from happening. A typical use for the patterns is to cross sell products to customers that fit a certain profile or pattern. Also, the patterns can be used in early fraud detection to stop fraudulent actions before they in fact become fraud.