SuperCHANNEL - the master builder
- Quick and easy database building
- High performance and compression
- Diverse range of input sources
SuperCHANNEL is the database build module of the SuperSTAR system. It channels data from many different data sources into the SuperSTAR proprietary format - SXV4.
The reason for this conversion is that SXV4 databases are highly optimised and compressed to allow extremely fast response. This compression means SXV4 databases require substantially less disk space than other databases. SXV4 databases also have unique capabilities for handling complex hierarchies and relationships.
Designed with database administrators in mind, SuperCHANNEL provides quick and effective channelling of data from data warehouses and other repositories.
How does SuperCHANNEL work?
SuperCHANNEL has a user interface that presents the source database schema.
Tables and fields are dragged to the target database and the appropriate
attributes are set.
Multiple sources
SuperCHANNEL allows SXV4 databases to be built from a single data source or
incrementally from many distinct data sources. Connections are made via JDBC/
ODBC drivers to numerous databases. These include:
- Oracle
- Sybase
- SQL Server
- Access
- DB2
- Excel
- SAS
- Text files - for non JDBC/ ODBC data sources and legacy systems
The JDBC/ ODBC bridge means other data sources supporting JDBC/ ODBC can also be accessed. For existing customers, SuperCHANNEL offers direct connection to SXV3 databases, ensuring easy migration to future SuperSTAR releases.
Update and refresh databases
A powerful feature of SuperCHANNEL is its ability to update and revise. Once a
database is built, you can quickly and easily incorporate changes from the
source database into the SuperSTAR database. This means your data warehouse or
database can be easily and cheaply mirrored with SuperSTAR.
Table relationships (joins) can be established and data cleansing options for miscoded classification values can be specified. Once the attributes are set the build process can begin. During the build phase information is logged showing progress and identifying any data anomalies.
Choice of interfaces
SuperCHANNEL offers an attractive and easy to use interface as well as a
powerful command line interface (CLI). Either interface can be used to build
databases. However, the CLI allows SuperCHANNEL to be fully embedded in an
organisation's production process, enabling automatic database updates.
Recovery
SuperCHANNEL has the ability to recover from an interrupted build process. The
user can specify commit points and resume channelling from last committed
record.
Data integrity
The cleansing functions of SuperCHANNEL not only reveal any imperfections in the
data source but provide the database builder with options to deal with these
issues. This ensures a smooth cross-source channelling process as well as
providing a picture of the data quality.
SuperCHANNEL Features
- Direct connection to JDBC/ ODBC compliant data sources
- Simple and easy to use graphical interface
- Data cleansing facilities
- Fast data throughput (average 10 million records per hour)
- Update and revise facilities so only changed records need to be updated
- Support for table 'views'
- Partial build facilities so databases can be quickly built and checked
- Comprehensive database build logging information and status reporting
Platforms
SuperCHANNEL runs on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and 2003 Server, as well as Sun Solaris
9 and 10 for Sparc architecture.