Information maps provide
a business metadata layer that enables business users to ask questions
and get answers for themselves. This frees IT resources from ad hoc
reporting requests and reduces the need to provide training in programming
and database structures.
Information maps enable business users to easily access
enterprise-wide data by providing the following benefits:
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Information maps shield users from
the complexities of the data.
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Information maps make data storage
transparent to users. It does not matter whether the data is relational
or multidimensional, or whether the data is in a SAS data set or in
a third-party database system.
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Information maps predefine business
formulas and calculations, which makes them usable on a consistent
basis.
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Information maps enable users to
query data for answers to business questions without knowing query
languages or being aware of the data model.