Wide Area Network (WAN)

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographical area for the purpose of computer networking. In the context of business intelligence and data analytics, think of a WAN as a highway system connecting different cities, except instead of cars and trucks, it’s data that’s traveling. This is the network that helps businesses operate smoothly across different locations by allowing them to share, send, and receive data over long distances.

Within a company, a WAN can be used to connect offices that are miles apart, enabling them to communicate and share resources just like they’re in the same building. This is crucial for businesses that have branches in various cities or countries, as it allows them to collaborate and access the same databases and applications, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

A WAN can be built using leased lines, satellite links, or public internet connections. The key in business intelligence is that a WAN allows the centralization of data analysis because it can move data from various points to a central location where it can be studied and used to make decisions. This means that even if a company’s data is collected in many different places, it can be analyzed together to give a full picture, which is essential for accurate business decision-making.