top of page
Writer's pictureBlair Kjenner

Composite Keys: The Obstacle to Seamless Data Exchange and Automatic Aggregation

The IT industry is in need of a new enterprise system architecture paradigm that is specifically designed to enable the automatic exchange of data and its subsequent aggregation into a data warehouse for reporting and AI. This will enable the seamless integration of various enterprise systems and help address seemingly insurmountable challenges, such as creating networks of systems for government or healthcare.


Enterprise systems that are based on composite keys will struggle to achieve this objective. To better understand this, consider trying to create a complex mapping tool, like Google Maps, without GPS. Instead, you only have a compass, a map, and a tool that can determine position by looking at the stars. While you may be able to create a mapping tool, it would be extremely difficult and limiting compared to GPS-based systems.


Similarly, upgrading an enterprise system based on composite keys to enable seamless data integration and aggregation is possible, but it is incredibly challenging. Composite keys vary on a table-by-table basis, making the process of broadcasting subscribed data and updating it when it changes unwieldy.


Moreover, it is crucial that the primary key is globally unique to prevent primary key collisions when aggregating master and transaction data. Since primary keys are based on user-entered data, it is impossible to guarantee their global uniqueness.


Composite keys have other limitations, such as being too bulky or being based on data entered by users that can be incorrectly entered.


In conclusion, we need to rethink the use of composite keys in enterprise system architecture to enable seamless data exchange and automatic aggregation. Thank you for your attention. I appreciate your comments.

4 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page