Analytics for the Internet of Things (IoT)

Linking together datasets

When building each analytical dataset, you should ask yourself how you can link them to other analytical datasets? Which fields are natural bridges to related key datasets? Then, intentionally build the analytical dataset in a way that makes it easy to connect to others. This is typically done by creating a new or using an existing identifier key. The identify key would be the same in both datasets.

If this sounds familiar it is the exact same concept as with relational database design. It is also closely related to the star schema design in Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) data warehousing. The goal is, however, somewhat different.

With relational database design, the goal is to minimize or even eliminate data ...