Operational data store

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An operational data store (or "ODS") is a database designed to integrate data from multiple sources to make analysis and reporting easier. Because the data originates from multiple sources, the integration often involves cleaning, resolving redundancy and checking against business rules for integrity. An ODS is usually designed to contain low level or atomic (indivisible) data (such as transactions and prices) with limited history that is captured "real time" or "near real time" as opposed to the much greater volumes of data stored in the Data warehouse generally on a less frequent basis.

According to Bill Inmon, the originator of the concept, an ODS is "a subject-oriented, integrated, volatile, current-valued, detailed-only collection of data in support of an organization's need for up-to-the-second, operational, integrated, collective information."

ODS differ from Inmon's definition of Enterprise data warehouse by having a limited history, and more frequent update than an EDW. In practice ODS tend to be more reflective of source structures in order to speed implementations and provide a truer representation of production data.