About the author
Rick Sherman is the founder of Athena IT Solutions, a Boston-based consulting firm that provides data warehouse and business intelligence consulting, training and vendor services. In addition to over 20 years in the business, Sherman is also a published author of more than 50 articles, an industry speaker, a DM Review World Class Solution Awards judge and a data management expert at SearchDataManagement.com. Sherman can be found blogging at The Data Doghouse and can be reached at rsherman@athena-solutions.com.
Rick Sherman's columns
NEW!The Magic Quadrant trap: Are analyst ranking reports being used appropriately?
Analyst reports are helpful, but many companies don't use them appropriately, according to Rick Sherman. Find out why and learn other resources that can help with vendor selection. (February 5, 2008)
Data governance success: No pain, no gain
Data governance isn't easy, but it is necessary for success in data-centric projects. Rick Sherman commiserates and offers expert advice for getting started with data governance. (December 18, 2007)
I've been a good data warehouse manager, Santa
Even data warehouse managers make holiday wishlists. Expert Rick Sherman shares a letter to Santa, with data warehouse-oriented desires for the coming year. (December 18, 2007)
Business intelligence and corporate performance management software: Build vs. buy
Should you develop a custom corporate performance management system or purchase CPM software? Rick Sherman offers expert advice on evaluating and choosing the right approach. (October 3, 2007)
Business intelligence and corporate performance management software: What's the difference?
Business intelligence and corporate performance management are not the same thing. Learn the differences between BI and CPM -- and how they're related. (September 28, 2007)
Is data integration the Achilles heel of Software as a Service?
Software as a Service applications can create serious enterprise data integration challenges. Expert Rick Sherman discusses the problem and potential solutions. (June 5, 2007)
Five steps for weaving data quality management into your enterprise data integration processes
Data quality management is critical for effective enterprise data integration. Expert Rick Sherman shares five strategic steps (and potential pitfalls) of data quality management. (May 23, 2007)
Data quality management: Follow the doctor's orders
Get expert recommendations for data quality management in business intelligence and data warehousing projects. (March 9, 2007)
Business intelligence tools: Disruptive technology or distraction?
Rick Sherman discusses renewed competitive pressures in the data warehousing (DW) marketplace and the emergence of BI tools. (January 18, 2007)
Why data governance projects fail
Expert Rick Sherman discloses the top reasons why 90% of data governance projects are doomed for failure. Read his advice to make sure that your's are not! (March 28, 2007)
Data warehousing tools: Are they market breakers?
Data warehousing (DW) tools are being touted as potential market-changing technology by technology and financial analysts alike. (October 5, 2006)
Corporate performance management tomorrow, Data Shadow Systems today
After attending the 2006 Gartner Business Intelligence Conference, Rick Sherman addresses the issue that industry-watchers might be focusing too far into the future at the expense of solving real problems today. (June 13, 2006)
Data integration tools can only solve part of the integration mystery
Do you know the data integration fundamentals? Here, columnist Rick Sherman warns against the dangers of expecting too much from tools and technology. (January 18, 2006)
Data manager best practices: Dear Santa, I've been a good data management manager
T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the database, guest columnist Rick Sherman was asking Santa to make the world of data management a better place... (December 15, 2005)
Data warehouse architecture: Extreme makeover
When it comes to building a data warehouse, there's no need to reinvent the wheel, says guest columnist Rick Sherman. There's always something to be learned from your predecessors. (October 27, 2005)
Data warehousing strategy: Is training necessary?
Project teams need training in order to keep their DW strategy up-to-date. By refusing, says guest columnist Rick Sherman, companies could be undermining their DW efforts. (September 25, 2005)
Do people really understand data warehousing?
A data warehousing initiative shouldn't result in multiple data silos, but often that's what happens. The problem, says guest columnist Rick Sherman, is that DW is misunderstood. (August 25, 2005)
Data quality management for business intelligence projects
Poor data quality can blindside an organization's BI or data warehouse project. Guest columnist Rick Sherman explains how to avoid common pitfalls that can derail that effort. (July 28, 2005)
Business intelligence strategy: IT is from Mars, business users are from Venus
When it comes to BI, columnist Rick Sherman says business users and IT groups suffer from relationship issues. Not to worry he says, the power user can be key to your BI success. (June 30, 2005)
Business intelligence tools: Don't be 'tool myopic'
Don't let flashy BI tools and technology cloud your focus, says contributor Rick Sherman. A successful rollout includes the right tools plus giving business users what they need. (June 6, 2005)
Microsoft Excel: The king of business intelligence
Consider the Microsoft Excel dilemma: BI users love it, IT departments hate it and BI vendors are competing with it. What's a business to do? Columnist Rick Sherman has some suggestions -- and banning spreadsheets is not one of them. (April 20, 2005)
BI shifts into the small and midsized business marketplace
BI isn't just for Fortune 1000 companies anymore. Thanks to pressure from regulation and the current business climate, SMBs are looking to BI to help them handle their data. (March 24, 2005)
Business intelligence systems: Data shadow systems pros and cons
Rick Sherman weighs the pros and cons of data shadow systems as a solution to the business group/IT information gap. (March 14, 2006)
Rick Sherman's podcasts
NEW! Understanding master data management (MDM) implementation styles
Rick Sherman explains the three styles of master data management (MDM) -- operational, analytical and enterprise - and how to select a style and get started. (October 24, 2007)
Enterprise data integration software basics, with expert Rick Sherman
The alphabet soup of data integration technologies -- ETL, EAI, EII, EIM, SOA and others -- are more confusing than ever. Expert Rick Sherman gives an overview of the technologies used. (September 5, 2006)
Rick Sherman's other contributions
Why you should build a data warehouse
Learn the argument for building a data warehouse, why building one takes time and how to sharpen your data warehousing skills. (August 7, 2007)
Data integration software vs. hand coding: Balancing costs and benefits
When (and why) does it make sense to use data integration software rather than hand coding? Experts share their experiences. (March 28, 2007)
Excel in enterprises: How to deal with data integrity
It's unlikely that Microsoft Excel will disappear from the enterprise, but there are tools and techniques for managing Excel that keep both business users and IT departments happy. (November 2, 2006)
Experts weigh in on Oracle-Hyperion deal
Business intelligence experts offer their opinions about the Oracle-Hyperion deal. (March 8, 2007)
Business intelligence: Invest now or wait?
In a shifting landscape of consolidating vendors and converging technologies, should companies wait to invest in business intelligence? (August 3, 2006)
A data management year in review: Top 10 stories of 2006
In 2006, data management embraced the future of SOA, MDM and merged BI/CPM but remained grounded in the fundamentals of data governance, quality and integration. (December 27, 2006)
