This is the second in a series of articles on how managing information and data can help your business. This article looks at data warehousing and data mining.

In simple terms, a data warehouse is a large database containing consolidated, historical and topical operational data that has been re-modelled for analytical purposes. It may be directly accessible by business users and have a business user context but not necessarily.
It is often the creation of a business user interface that provides the translation between the data warehouse database design and the common business terms. The key element of the user interface is referred to as meta-data (information about data) or a semantic layer and it provides the translation of the consolidated database design into common business terms.

Meta-data can pre-define common business measures and formulae and wrap them up as simple re-usable definitions, ensuring there is a single corporate version of the truth or what is commonly understood across the organisation.
To see where the use of data warehousing may be of benefit, consider a bank acquiring new credit card accounts. The bank employee who signed up the customer will be keen to register the account form the day the customer signed up, as their performance may well be measured against the amount of new business they generate. In corporate terms however, this may be too simplistic.
Customers who open an account but do not use their card, or cancel their agreement within 3 months of signing up, may actually cost the bank money. In such cases, the bank will want to differentiate between new sign ups and active accounts. Sign-ups may be counted at the time the customer signs, but active accounts may be considered to be those that have transactions equal to or above a certain monetary amount within the first 3 months after sign up.
Defining sign-ups and active accounts differently within the semantic layer by incorporating the necessary qualifying factors, ensures at a corporate level, that there is no ambiguity between the different performance measures. Anyone using these pre-defined measures in reporting analysis will always be using the same consistent definition. It also provides a starting point for managers to analyse the relationship between sign-ups and account activity, thus promoting a better understanding of the types of customers and activity that generates revenue rather than costs.

The semantic layer that sits on top of the data warehouse is the enabler for those capabilities termed Management Information (MI) and Business Intelligence (BI). These terms are closely aligned but BI typically offers a more hollistic benefit. Management information has historically been used to refer to the ability to report upon Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the business. The MI viewpoint tends to provide the benefit of consolidated reporting, but in a pre-determined, scheduled fashion such as daily sales reports that show progress against targets.
Business Intelligence takes this a step further by not only reporting out the current position of the business, but allowing detailed analysis (often referred to as data-mining) of current and historical information.
Key performance measures such as new customer accounts or product sales are combined with dimensional context information such as the store where a sale was made, demographics relating to the customer and time dependant elements. This holistic view of business information allows users not only to see how well the business is performing now, but gives insight into historical trends, customer profiles and their spending habits, the effects of changes to products and pricing structures and a wealth of other analytical information.

The next and final article will look at how effective use of Business Intelligence can be a powerful planning tool for your business. www.bis.gi <http://www.bis.gi/>

• 1st December sees parallel running commence.
• Remember to change numbers when ordering new stationery.
• Tell your clients and suppliers about the new dialling code.
• Update your website with new dialling codes.

As from the beginning of December, all 5-digit telephone numbers were extended by adding the digits 200 before 5-digit numbers. This was to end the shortage of telephone numbers that has affected Gibraltar for many years.
Following the implementation of the Cordoba Agreement, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority introduced a new Gibraltar Numbering Plan in order to overcome this acute shortage of telephone numbers. This one-off change will meet Gibraltar’s needs for phone numbers for the foreseeable future.
The main changes in the new Plan are:
• The introduction of fixed numbers which are 8 digits long; the same length as mobile numbers.
• All 5-digit numbers to be extended by adding
200 (two zero zero) in front of the number,
which will make the new customer number easy to remember.
The changes will be phased in over a period
of 14 months and will enable customers to dial both existing 5-digit numbers and the new
8-digit numbers.
Members are recommended to get into the habit of dialling with the new 200 prefix early on.
The changeover will be completed to coincide with the publication of the 2008/2009 Telephone Directory in September 2008.
During the period when both the old and new customer numbers may be dialled, existing 5-digit numbers may be dialled with or without adding 200 in front (e.g. 78376 or 200 78376). After the changeover period by the end of October 2008, all existing fixed-line customer numbers will only be connected in the 8-digit format.
Mobile numbers will remain unchanged.
Key dates:

Isola & Isola are delighted to welcome two new lawyers, Deirdre Diomède and Nicola Wynne, to the practice.
Deirdre Diomède LLB (Hons)
Deidre, who speaks French, Spanish and Italian, obtained an LLB Honours Degree in Law and before being called to the Bar in 2000 worked for BBC Radio 4 where she was involved in the production of foreign language broadcasts. After a number of years at the BBC she moved to the North West and worked in the field of Management Accountancy. She received the Richard Isaacson Memorial Scholarship which is awarded to one pupil in North-West England each year. Following her call, Deidre practiced as a Barrister at Oriel Chambers, one of the larger Chambers in Liverpool, and now specialises in Personal Injury, Clinical and Professional Negligence, Housing Law, Ancillary Relief and General Common Law.

Nicola Wynne LLB (Hons)
Nicola obtained an LLB Honours Degree in Law and after leaving University, served 4 years as a Constable in the Metropolitan Police Service before returning to the law and qualifying as a Solicitor in 2003. She completed her training contract with CMS Cameron McKenna, one of the top ten law firms in the UK, gaining experience in Pensions, Insurance, Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law. Nicola went on to specialise in the area of Pensions and before coming to Gibraltar, worked for the leading UK Pensions law firm, Sacker & Partners LLP.

Peter Isola, Managing Partner of Isola & Isola said: “As the firm continues to develop and expand I can’t think of a better time for Deidre and Nicola to join us. They are important members of our team who both bring with them a degree of expertise which will, without doubt, contribute to the continued development of the practice. I am delighted to welcome them to the firm and wish them every success in Gibraltar.”

Mark Truman-Davies MCMI
Mark has joined the Triay & Triay team as Office Manager following the departure of his predecessor Charles Gubbins. Well known locally following almost 16 years in Private and Premium Banking, the last 8 years of which were with NatWest, Gibraltar, where he successfully led the local Higher Net Worth customer relationship team. He has a wealth of experience in Man Management and Administration hailing from his prior 8 years in The Queen’s and The Royal Gibraltar Regiments.
The remit in the Office Manager role is to coordinate and manage the Human Resource, Administration, Marketing & PR, Partners and Special Projects functions for the firm.
He says ‘This is a particularly exciting time to be joining Triay & Triay. It is a long established and extremely successful practice, which has ambitious plans for the medium and long term future. To be involved in the planning and taking the lead in implementing these changes is a challenging and exciting prospect. The firm has a great ‘family’ atmosphere, and I have felt at home from the minute I walked in on my first day. I am hoping to be able to use my knowledge, experience and relationships for the benefit of Triay & Triay as a whole as we move forward.’

Ivan Robba LL.B LL.M
As part of Triay & Triay’s ambitious plans for growth the firm is delighted to introduce as part of the team, Ivan Robba.
Ivan completed his degree in Law at Leeds University before obtaining a Masters in E-Commerce Law. Further study at Newcastle University saw him complete his BVC and he was, thereafter, called to the Bar in October 2006.
Joining the firm’s growing Commercial Department, he has worked on a number of different projects already but aspires to specialise in, but not be limited to, the E-Commerce sector which is currently an area of Gibraltar’s economy that is thriving.
He says ‘I was extremely excited at the prospect of working and developing at a firm as prestigious as Triay & Triay. I have been made most welcome and am delighted to be able to tap into the breadth of experience we have here, in order to assist the firm in achieving it’s vision and goals for the future’.

Major Patrick H Canessa ED LLB (Hons)
Another addition to Triay & Triay’s team and one who needs little introduction locally; having been a stalwart of the business community and The Gibraltar Regiment for many years, as well as the Honorary Consul for Italy, is Patrick Canessa.
Fulfilling a lifelong ambition to embark on a career in law he brings with him valuable commercial experience, which is already paying dividends within the litigation department.
Receiving his Law Degree through the Open University, he took the bold step to leave Gibraltar for a year and studied for the BVC at the College of Law in London. Called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in July 2007 he returned home and joined Triay & Triay as an Associate in September.
He says “I feel honoured to be part of the Triay & Triay team. I am very close to the family and can’t imagine having gone anywhere else. I was fifty years old on the 1st November and on that day I also defended (and won!) my first trial at the Magistrates Court. It all feels very strange. However, I could not have done any of this without the support of Vivian my wife and Christina and Julian my children, and the encouragement of the firm.”

Jeremy Acton BA (Hons)
Another recent addition to Triay & Triay’s team is Jeremy Acton. Jeremy has an undergraduate degree in politics and carried out his legal studies as a post-graduate, completing his call to the Bar in England in 2006.
Prior to studying law, Jeremy worked for a number of years in structured finance and investment banking. This background provides the firm with additional experience and expertise in banking, finance, and all matters commercial. Jeremy works primarily alongside Javier Triay, but also assists two other of the firm’s partners, Monchi Triay and Robert Vasquez.
Triay and Triay are delighted to welcome Jeremy on board as an Associate. Mark Truman-Davies, Office Manager says “The future of T&T is bright, with a number of capable young lawyers joining the ranks of the firm. This growth is just a part of the firm’s exciting plans for the coming years.” Jeremy said “I’ve really enjoyed the start I have had at Triay & Triay. It is a well respected firm with a lot of work to get my teeth into, and the atmosphere’s great”.

Edward Morland MA (Hons)
Triay & Triay’s team has also expanded with the addition of Edward Morland. Eddy has an undergraduate degree in Mediaeval History at the University of St. Andrews, before carrying out his legal studies as a post-graduate at BPP in London. He completed his call to the Bar in England in 2005.
Prior to studying law, Eddy worked for a Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Club. This background provides the firm with additional experience and expertise in shipping, insurance and all matters commercial. Eddy works primarily alongside Freddie Vasquez QC, but also assists one other of the firm’s partners, Charles Simpson.
Eddy says “I was extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to join a firm such as Triay and Triay whose values of integrity, commitment, entrepreneurship, teamwork, and fun so closely mirrors my own outlook on life”.

Yvette Sanguinetti LL.B LL.M
Yvette completed her Degree in law at Kingston University with a class 2:1 with honours in June 2004. She then went on to do a Masters Degree at Kingston University and obtained a distinction in 2005, before completing the Bar Vocational Course at the Inns of Court in 2006. She was then admitted as a Barrister of England and Wales by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple on the 12th October 2006 and then in Gibraltar on the 15th December 2006.
Yvette works closely with one of the firm’s partners Mark Isola, the firm’s specialist in employment law, and her key areas of practice include Personal Injury and Employment Law.
“I am very proud and honoured to be a part of such a prestigious firm as Triay & Triay. I appreciate the fact that the firm mixes traditional values with a progressive modern outlook. I am also excited to be a part of Triay & Triay’s ambitious plans for significant growth and to achieve a higher profile both locally and internationally.

Adrian previously at ABN AMRO Bank N.V. for 15 years held a number of senior positions within the branch, his last role being Country Compliance Representative.

His new role at Merchant Corporate Services will involve the developing of client business relationships. Adrian holds an MA in Enterprise Management from Durham University Business School. He is the current Chairman of the Gibraltar Association of Compliance Officers and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management.”

MH Bland have recently appointed Ian Penfold as a Director of the company.

Ian, 34 years old, joined 14 years ago as a shipping clerk and quickly worked his way up to become Marine Operations Manager. Within the past few years Ian has spearheaded the company’s growth in Spain and now leads busy agencies in Algeciras and Ceuta as well as the home port of Gibraltar.
Announcing the appointment, Johnnie Gaggero welcomed the enthusiasm and experience in marine operations that Ian would bring to the Board.
“I am both pleased and honoured to be appointed a Director of MH Bland & Co Ltd and would like to extend my gratitude to my now fellow members of the Board for their faith in me. I have always believed in, and felt very much a part of, the company and my appointment only gives me more confidence to continue in my efforts to take MH Bland further.”
He joins Johnnie Gaggero, George Gaggero and Clive Moberley on the Board.