Temporal Data

What was the price then...

Working with complex business data requires that you have access to data. Very often systems lose or erase data that is old. The update of a price in a system my not detail the change or what range of time the old price was in effect. Temporal Data is best explained as weather data. Knowing what the average temperature of a day or month over the prior 5 years helps you predict when it is best to plant a crop or plan an event.

Exactly how does this help?

The executive summary for temporal data boils down to more data sets. When preforming projections or reviewing performance the context or the canvas needs to be established with the complete supply chain at that time. Having this data is important to review when a consumable of a product manufacture process is under review. Every department from legal, sales, manufacturing and accounting can find use of temporal data if easily accessible.

Methods of implementation

There is no magic button to push to integrate or extend existing systems. Often database snap-shots and schema copies provide some level of Temporal Data to existing systems. Reporting plays an important role as the temporal price of a product needs to also be presented with the relating temporal supply chain or even marketing campaigns.