Title: Data Mart Author: Kriko Published: Jun 4, 2023 Last modified: Jul 7, 2026 --- 1. [Home](https://kriko.io/) / 2. [Glossary](https://kriko.io/glossary) / 3. D Letter # Data Mart A **data mart** is a data storage structure designed to meet the information and analytical needs of a specific department or business function within a company or organisation. It is commonly used as a subject-focused subset of a larger data warehouse. While data warehouses collect large volumes of information from different departments and systems within a central environment, data marts focus on smaller and more specialised datasets. As a result, they are often easier to manage, query and analyse. Data marts can be designed for specific functions such as sales, marketing, finance, human resources and customer relations. Each structure contains the metrics, reports and datasets required by its intended users. For example, a sales data mart may focus on sales revenue, order volume, product performance, customer segments and regional results. A marketing data mart may include campaign performance, conversion rates, customer acquisition costs and channel-level results. One of the main advantages of data marts is that they allow users to access relevant information more quickly. Smaller, subject-oriented datasets can improve query performance and simplify reporting processes. Data marts also help organisations address department-specific information requirements. Users can access relevant data without searching through large volumes of information that are unrelated to their responsibilities. A data mart may be designed as dependent, independent or hybrid. Dependent data marts receive data from a central data warehouse, while independent data marts collect information directly from operational systems. Hybrid data marts can combine data from both sources. The main **data modelling schemas** used in data marts include: **Star Schema:** This structure contains a central fact table that stores measurements such as sales, transactions or orders. The fact table is connected to dimension tables containing descriptive information such as customer, product, date and location. Its relatively simple structure supports fast querying and reporting. **Snowflake Schema:** This structure is created by dividing the dimension tables used in a star schema into smaller and related sub-tables. It can reduce data duplication and support the management of more complex hierarchies. However, the increased number of tables may make queries more complicated. Data can be transferred into a data mart using **ETL and ELT tools**, data integration platforms and business intelligence solutions. These tools simplify the extraction, transformation and loading of data from different sources into the target data mart. A properly designed data mart can help departments create reports more quickly, monitor performance indicators and make **data-driven decisions**. ## Discover it in the dictionary ### Cost Per Lead Cost Per Lead, commonly abbreviated as CPL, is a digital marketing metric that shows how much it costs to generate one potential customer through… ### Apache Hive Apache Hive is an open-source data warehouse system used to query, process and analyse large datasets. Developed as part of the Apache Hadoop ecosystem,… ### Black Hat SEO Black Hat SEO refers to aggressive, manipulative or deceptive SEO techniques that aim to gain rankings by violating search engine guidelines. These methods focus… ### Data Integration Data integration is the process of bringing information from different sources together within a common structure. Data may be collected, cleansed, transformed and prepared… ### App Store Optimization (ASO) App Store Optimization, commonly abbreviated as ASO, refers to the optimisation activities carried out to make mobile applications more visible and increase downloads in… ### Cost Per Action / Cost Per Acquisition Cost Per Action or Cost Per Acquisition, commonly abbreviated as CPA, is a digital marketing metric that shows the average cost of generating a… ### Domain Name A domain name is the readable internet address that users type into a browser to reach a website. Examples include kriko.blog, google.com and example.com.… ### Natural Language Processing (NLP) Natural Language Processing, or NLP, is a field of artificial intelligence that enables computer systems to understand and communicate using human language. It is… ### Meta Tags Meta tags are HTML elements that provide additional information about a web page to search engines, browsers and social media platforms. They are usually… ## Track the digital heartbeat with Kriko Subscribe to receive curated insights, news, and ideas shaping the digital landscape. By checking this box, you acknowledge and accept our [privacy policy](https://kriko.io/privacy-policy).