The following diagram is an example of a dimensional model that can be
used to track web access using data consolidated from a web server log, an
authenticated or un-authenticated Internet Application and a database
containing customer information. By consolidating data in a Data Warehouse,
business intelligence about "customers" and un-authenticated visitors can be
gleaned.
The dimensions depicted in white represent data that is available from
most web server logs. Normally, the "device" is a personal computer
connected to the Internet, however it can also be an automated agent (e.g.
robot). The "country" is the location where the "device" is
physically located. This is not always the location where the visitor
is physically located. The "organization" is normally the ISP that the
visitor uses to connect to the Internet. The "originating URL" is the
web page that the visitor is hyper-linking from and the "destination URL" is
the web page that the visitor requests.
The dimensions shown in yellow represent additional information that is
available when the visitor initiates an Internet Application (e.g.
e-business, e-commerce). That application system must programmatically
track the visitor through the application and record pages that are visited.
The "customer" dimension is only available when an application
"authenticates" a visitor using a login ID and password. Once
identified, the customer can be uniquely identified regardless of how or
where he/she is accesses the Internet.
