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The On-Line Executive Journal for Data-Intensive Decision Support
*** June 16, 1998: Vol. 2, No. 24 ***
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IN THIS ISSUE:

ASSESSING ACADEMIC POTENTIAL WITH DM TECHNOLOGY: PART I
BY MIRIAM MASULLO
HOW TO THINK ABOUT METADATA
BY ROBERT SEINER
WHO HAS THE DATA?
BY JOHN THOMPSON

GOLDEN MEANS: DISCOVERING THE ACADEMIC POTENTIAL OF OUR CHILDREN PART I
by Miriam J. Masullo, guest columnist

This week, executive editor at large Dr. Inderpal Bhandari presents the first of a two-part commentary by guest columnist Miriam J. Masullo. Dr. Masullo is Director, Educational Technology at the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering -- NACME. Dr. Masullo is an expert in educational technology, having received her Ph.D. from the City University of New York for her interdisciplinary work with the departments of computer science and educational psychology. She has been a leading force in the application of artificial intelligence, digital libraries and telecommunications infrastructure to K-12 education. Her current work focuses on equity access and equal education opportunity for all Americans. You can reach Dr. Masullo by email at mmasullo@nacme.org

Masullo writes: "Just as not all that shines is gold, some things that do not always shine are as precious as gold. So it is with the minds of our children. There is a lot of value buried in the depths of data warehouses being built by corporations, but it is in the depths of time yet to come that the real gold lies, hidden in the future of our youth. Certain problem solving styles and cognitive behavior reflect the academic potential that leads to success in college. Often, students who are bypassed by traditional recruiting activities have been known to demonstrate such potential. In such cases, potential that is unrealized, wasted, lost."

META DATA IS THE ANSWER; NOW WHAT WAS THE QUESTION? PART I
by Robert S. Seiner -- Spectrum Technology Group

Robert S. Seiner is a Senior Consultant for Spectrum Technology Group, Inc. Spectrum is a Data Management consulting company based in Somerville, New Jersey. Bob is recognized for his knowledge of meta data management, repository implementation and information stewardship, and he speaks often at major conferences and user group meetings. Bob is also the publisher and editor of The Data Administration Newsletter (TDAN) located on the internet at http://www.tdan.com Bob can be reached at rseiner@tdan.com

In this first installment of a three-part series Seiner observes: "Some people talk about meta data all the time as though it holds the answer to ALL questions about managing data. I may even be considered as one of those people. If YOU are already getting tired of talking about meta data, you are probably in the wrong business."

DATA, DATA WHO HAS THE DATA?
by John K. Thompson

John K. Thompson is the Vice President of Marketing for Magnify, Inc. Thompson has over 15 years experience spanning all major technology management functions for software organizations. In his current role, as Vice President of Marketing, Thompson formulates and executes the strategic direction for Magnify, Inc. and the PATTERN product line. His technology expertise includes knowledge discovery, decision support, data warehousing, and database systems. Prior to joining Magnify, Inc., he held a number of senior technology and marketing positions at PLATINUM technology, IBM, and Metaphor Computer Systems. Thompson has consulted in Latin America, Europe, and Asia regarding the issues around building world class data warehouses and decision support systems. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ferris State University and a MBA in Marketing from DePaul University.

Thompson observes: "In the past 20 years the computing power and infrastructure installed in companies, governments and in society in general has exploded. We, the people in the software industry, are quite excited about this. But, as I look back on my 15+ years in the software and services business, I am struck by the fact that, first of all, we are again asking our clients to create yet another collection of data from existing data elements, and secondly how we are doing it."

New Tool Developed for ERP Data Extraction and Analysis
A Silicon Valley startup company has developed a tool combining extraction capabilities for data in SAP AG's R/3 applications with OLAP and predefined database schemas.

Fair, Isaac Introduces Credit Bureau-Based Fraud Model For Application Screening
Fair, Isaac and Company, Inc. and Trans Union of Canada have collaborated to develop RAVEN, a powerful fraud detection system to help Canadian credit grantors detect fraud at the earliest possible point of prevention -- during application screening.

SAS Institute to Develop Clinical Data Warehouse Aimed at Improving Clinical Data Flow
SAS Institute Inc. announced that it is creating a clinical data warehouse -- adding to a suite of Institute products aimed at pharmaceutical R&D. The clinical warehouse is being built on top of the Institute's SAS/Warehouse Administrator software, which builds and maintains data warehouses, to accommodate the special rigors of submitting new medical products for regulatory approval.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Existing DWs were built with the goal of understanding and explaining trends and activities within well known business functions and as such contain data that is probably not predictive or even descriptive in nature in discovering new insights into the market."

• John K. Thompson

CONFERENCES & SEMINARS 06.16.98

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