Data warehouse
A central database designed for analysis, holding cleaned and integrated data from multiple source systems in structures optimised for querying. It is the traditional foundation for reporting, dashboards and analytical models.
Why it matters
Operational systems are built to run transactions, not to answer cross-functional questions. A warehouse brings data together with consistent definitions and history so that reporting is reliable and does not slow down the systems of record.
Modern cloud warehouses separate storage from computing power, which changes the cost model: spend depends on how data is queried and transformed, so design and monitoring matter.
In practice
For example, a UK wholesale distributor might load orders, inventory, pricing and customer data nightly into a cloud warehouse and model it into sales and margin tables, so regional managers and finance use the same figures.
Where Rodan fits
Rodan builds warehouse and lakehouse foundations for reporting and AI through Data and Analytics Engineering.