Enterprise Data: Overview to Working with University Data

Enterprise data is a valuable institutional asset that requires organization and governance in support of institutional decision making and daily operations.

The University’s enterprise data landscape generally consists of the data’s systems of record, data warehouses, reporting, analytics and data modeling tools, and systems integrations.

Numerous University policies and procedures help protect the University’s enterprise data and ensure that it is shared in accordance with local and federal privacy guidelines.

Numerous University policies and procedures help ensure that the University’s enterprise data is handled securely.

Data governance plays a critical role in helping the University use data effectively, supporting academic excellence, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

The University has created a Data Literacy Program to provide introductory, intermediate, and advanced information about enterprise data, reporting, analytics, and systems integrations. The program is self-guided and hosted in Canvas; UMN faculty and staff can access program components as needed.

Clearly defined data definitions help ensure that data users can answer questions and make decisions consistently and with clear understanding. Broadly-available term definitions are available in the Idera Term Glossary, and Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW)-specific data definitions are available in the EDW Data Dictionary.

Individual access to the University’s enterprise data is granted based on business need, data security classifications, and type of interaction with the data.

Access to data and systems may be granted dynamically (e.g., based on job code) or manually via an Access Request Form (ARF).

Operational reports and analytical dashboards utilizing enterprise data are available for broad use to most University employees. Those reports and dashboards are published on the MyU Reporting Center.

Ad hoc reporting tools are available for individuals to create their own reports and dashboards using enterprise and local data when enterprise-delivered content doesn’t meet business needs.

Prior to gaining access to ad hoc reporting tools and enterprise data, individuals need to complete the Sharing Enterprise Data Training course. Additional tool-specific and data-specific training may also be required.

UM Analytics is an enterprise tool that central units use to build and publish analytical dashboards using data from the Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW). Individuals can also become a UM Analytics Author in order to create their own ad hoc dashboards using data from the EDW.

Departments and units can purchase a Tableau Creator license in order to publish and share visualizations on the University’s Tableau Server.

PeopleSoft is the University’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, the system of record for finance, human resources, and student business processes. PeopleSoft users can use PeopleSoft Query Viewer and Manager to run queries against this PeopleSoft data.

Standard SQL client tools can be used to directly query systems of record and data warehouses. Oracle SQL Developer is pre-configured and available through UMN AppsToGo.

The OIT Integration Team helps colleges and units connect to governed data for systems integration through the Common Data Layer via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) or custom integration solutions.

Official requests for enterprise data can be submitted to University Data and Institutional Reporting (UDIR) and to the Data Access and Privacy Office for public records.

The Enterprise Data Management and Reporting team facilitates the University’s data governance program and offers general support to and resources for the University’s data community.

User and special interest groups managed by various groups and related to data and analytics are available for University employees to join. Many are organized using Google Groups in the Twin Cities Google domain; employees from non-Twin Cities campuses should email [email protected] to request membership support if they have difficulty joining any of these.