Enhancing Purdue’s Student Data: The Purdue Student Data Warehouse Project

Imagine a world where every piece of student data at Purdue University is seamlessly integrated, easily accessible, and impeccably accurate. This vision is becoming a reality through the Purdue Student Data Warehouse (PSDW or PDW Student) project.

The PSDW project was initiated to replace the outdated Operational Data Store (ODS) provided by Ellucian, the company behind Banner. While Banner serves as the core student record system, managing courses, grades, and student information, the ODS is no longer supported by Ellucian, making it difficult to keep up with regulatory and statutory changes and evolving needs.

The primary objective of the PSDW project is to build a custom data warehouse that integrates seamlessly with Purdue’s existing systems. This new warehouse will replace the vendor-provided ODS, which has proven to be inflexible and disconnected from the Purdue ecosystem. By developing an in-house solution, Purdue aims to create a more adaptable and comprehensive data management system.

The warehouse is being built by the Business Intelligence Competency Center (BICC) in partnership with IDA+A, ensuring that the project benefits from a wealth of expertise and experience.

Key Components and Benefits:

• Integration with Existing Systems: The new data warehouse will be built in the same environment as Purdue’s administrative operations, finance, human resources, and research data. This integration will facilitate a holistic view of student information, making it easier to answer complex questions about student demographics, academic progress, and employment status.
• Enhanced Reporting Capabilities: The PSDW project will address the gaps in the current reporting system, making it easier for users to generate reports without relying on complex queries. This will improve the efficiency of data analysis and reporting across various departments.
• Improved Data Accuracy and Compliance: By moving away from the outdated ODS, Purdue will be better equipped to handle regulatory and statutory changes and ensure data accuracy. The new system will reduce the need for manual modifications, minimizing the risk of errors and enhancing compliance with these requirements.

The creation of the new warehouse follows an agile framework, with iterative development cycles to address issues and deploy new content. This approach allows for continuous improvement and adaptation to changing needs. While the exact timeline for the project’s completion is not fixed, the team is committed to delivering a high-quality product through regular sprints and testing.

The PSDW project represents a significant step forward in Purdue’s data management capabilities. By developing a custom data warehouse, Purdue aims to create a more integrated, efficient, and adaptable system that meets the evolving needs of the university. This project will not only enhance data accuracy and compliance but also improve the overall user experience.