Typically, it is used with ERP systems to help make strategic decisions based on the patterns that come out of the data review. It is also that more formal and statistical analysis of large sets of data within complex ERP Systems. Data warehousing is a term meaning the storage of information for an organization. The data warehouse is the place that the data is stored and organized. Data warehousing, per se, is passive; while data mining is active. One needs to have the data in a depository of some kind before it can be mined for use. Both data mining and data warehousing are essential to the effective management of the strategic planning process. The amount and quality of the data warehoused is directly related to the organization's ability to use that data appropriately. Mining data from various sources increases the statistical validity of the data set, and provides more useful information quicker.
Student...
It is clear from their analysis that the power of data mining is only as good as the data itself, and that a real key to any program is finding the appropriate way to handle the voluminous amounts of data and make something meaningful out of it -- like patterns, hidden statistical similarities and abnormalities, etc. Another use of data mining in healthcare, though, might be from a human resource standpoint; finding skill levels and appropriate human capital to utilize within a larger organization to improve efficiency. Really, the possibilities are endless; technical, quantitative, qualitative studies, and even patient satisfaction surveys -- usable data for managers who may not have the time or expertise to wade through large amounts of data, but need specific questions answered in a timely manner.
