Season 2: Episode #1 | Redefine Reporting and Eliminate Routine with Data Marts
🔍 Discover the untapped potential of your reporting with data marts and start making smarter, data-driven decisions.
🚀 Ready to transform your reporting game? Start Season 2 of The Data Crunch Podcast with an in-depth look at data marts — the ultimate cheat code for reporting efficiency.
Vadym is joined by Ruslan, OWOX’s Head of Product, to uncover how data marts can:
🎯 Empower business users with live, up-to-date data.
💡 Reduce analysts' repetitive tasks and enhance their strategic focus.
🛡️ Strengthen data security with custom filters and automation.
Podcast listing
Vadym:
Hey everyone, welcome back to The Data Crunch Podcast! I’m Vadym, Growth Marketing Manager here at OWOX, and today, we’re diving into something that could change the way you think about reporting forever.
Imagine not having to start from scratch every time you need a report – sounds like magic, right? Well, that’s the beauty of data marts! We have Ruslan, our Head of Product at OWOX joining me today to unpack this game-changer.
Hey, Ruslan, how are you today?
Ruslan:
Hey Vadym, great to be here! And yeah, data marts really are a bit like magic—once you set them up, they can completely transform how businesses handle data reporting. But magic aside, they’re built on solid data practices, and I’m excited to break it all down today.
Vadym:
Alright, as we launched the second season of the Data Crunch Podcast, let’s start with the reality check. Reporting—what’s the current situation for most businesses?
Ruslan:
Sure, Vadym. For many businesses, reporting is still very static. Analysts prepare reports in tools like Google Sheets or Looker Studio, and these reports are often exported as PDFs or CSVs. They’re great for a snapshot in time, but here’s the catch: they quickly become outdated.
Vadym:
Right, and when that happens, clients or teams come back with requests for updates, new metrics, or different filters. It’s a cycle, isn’t it?
Ruslan:
Exactly. This creates two big problems. First, it piles on repetitive work for analysts—they spend more time updating reports than on strategic tasks. Second, as the business grows, this approach just doesn’t scale. Analysts end up stretched thin, and the report management process becomes a bottleneck.
Vadym:
Okay, let’s talk about the magic. What makes data marts different?
Ruslan:
Here’s the beauty of data marts: they’re not just reports—they’re “windows to data.” Instead of delivering a static report, you’re giving clients or teams the ability to access live, up-to-date data whenever they need it.
Vadym:
That’s a huge shift. No more back-and-forth emails or waiting for updates!
Ruslan:
Exactly. And because data marts are flexible, they let businesses scale. For example, an analyst can write a simple SQL query that gives clients (or end users) the exact data they need. Once that’s set up, the client can run the query themselves and get the latest information in seconds—no extra work for the analyst.
Vadym:
So it’s like empowering the client while lightening the analyst’s workload. Win-win!Alright, before we get carried away, let’s talk about limitations. What’s the catch with basic data marts?
Ruslan:
Good question. The first limitation is access—clients or teams often need direct access to the database or storage system, which isn’t always possible due to security policies.
Vadym:
And I imagine things get messy when there are a lot of queries involved, right?
Ruslan:
Absolutely. Managing multiple SQL queries, especially ones with fixed parameters like dates, can get out of hand quickly. And when an analyst supports multiple clients with different needs, it can feel like juggling too many balls at once.
Vadym:
Alright, so how do we make data marts work smoothly? What are the best practices?
Ruslan:
First, think of a data mart as a well-defined “window to data.” You don’t want to give access to everything—just what the user needs. This can be controlled through the SQL query.
Vadym:
Got it—so the “window” is customized. What else?
Ruslan:
Second, data marts should be treated like deliverable artifacts. As an analyst, you must maintain control over this growing stuff. Document their structure, track meta-information, and ensure you know who’s using them and how.
Vadym:
That makes sense for managing multiple clients or teams.
Ruslan:
Exactly. You should also make the data mart user-friendly. Add filters and settings, so users can slice and dice the data without editing SQL. And automation is key—set up schedules, so reports are updated automatically, like sending a report at 10 a.m. every day.
Vadym:
And what about security?
Ruslan:
Only analysts should have the ability to edit SQL. This keeps the data accurate and avoids accidental errors from users.
Vadym:
This all sounds great for businesses, but what’s in it for the analysts?
Ruslan:
For starters, it saves them a ton of time by cutting down on repetitive tasks. They can focus on strategic projects instead of constantly updating reports.
Vadym:
And I bet that makes them more valuable to the company, right?
Ruslan:
Exactly. Analysts who build tools like data marts position themselves as enablers for the entire business, which can positively impact their career growth and income. Plus, working with data marts is a skill that’s in high demand—it’s a great way to level up professionally.
Vadym:
Let’s zoom out for a moment. Why is all this so important for businesses?
Ruslan:
Because most companies are sitting on a goldmine of data—but over 70% of it goes unused. Data marts activate this untapped potential by turning raw data into actionable insights.
Vadym:
So it’s not just about efficiency—it’s about staying competitive.
Ruslan:
Exactly. Businesses that use tools like data marts can make faster, data-driven decisions. It’s the difference between reacting to market changes and leading the way. In fact, this approach has been around for quite some time. But in the market, we see that instead of reaping its benefits, inefficient approaches with a lot of manual work that do not scale continue to be used.
Vadym:
Alright, Ruslan, this has been awesome. Any final thoughts for our listeners?
Ruslan:
Just this: data marts are a game-changer. They save time, reduce workload, and unlock the full potential of your data. And once you set them up, it’s like having a cheat code for reporting—you’re no longer stuck building reports from scratch every time.
Vadym:
I love that—cheat code for reporting! And for anyone ready to dive deeper, check out the link in our description for details on OWOX’s Shared Data Marts and Filters.
Ruslan:
Absolutely. And remember, the magic of data marts isn’t just in the tool—it’s in how you use it to empower your business.
Vadym:
Thanks, Ruslan, and thanks to everyone listening. If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from The Data Crunch Podcast! See you next time.
Ruslan:
See you, everyone! Stay curious and keep exploring your data.
