Ohio State’s Reporting and Analytics Environment (RAE) is a centralized data lake style system that provides a place to capture, organize, enhance, and query core information about the university’s business processes.
The RAE holds data needed for both extended and detailed analytics. The data lake also provides capabilities for university areas to store and share data as well as allowing data analysts to bring additional datasets into the system for deep, cross-functional analytics.
What data is in the RAE?
Use the public RAE Object Domain Directory dashboard to learn more about what data is in the RAE. With the dashboard you can see the different domains (HR, Finance, etc.), specific tables, and permissions needed to access the data in the RAE.
In June 2025, student data was transferred from the Operational Data Store (ODS)/DWHCRPT to the Reporting and Analytics Environment (RAE)/AWS Redshift. Mow that this transition is complete, the ODS has been retired, and all student reporting data is now stored in the RAE. Help materials and job aids for the RAE are available in the Administrative Resource Center (ARC).
Components
Data Storage
Data lakes are often used to consolidate all of an organization’s data in a single, central location, where it can be saved “as is,” without the need to impose a schema (i.e., a formal structure for how the data is organized). This helps us to avoid lock-in to a proprietary system like a data warehouse, which has become increasingly important in modern data architectures. Data lakes are also highly durable and low cost, because of their ability to scale and leverage object storage.
Data Ingest
There are a number of tools and capabilities that come into play for loading data into a data lake. We’ve designed the system to accept data from other databases, web APIs, and file inputs. Currently, we support both batch (in frequent) and micro-batch (near time) data feeds from sources across Ohio State, including Workday, SIMS, Salesforce, and Peoplesoft SIS. In the near future, we will also offer support for streaming datasets (real time), as well as unstructured data inputs.
Optimized Data
While many analysts are comfortable working with “as is” data, it is best practice to apply learnings to the data to make other analysts work much easier. Thus, we work with data analysts and engineers to apply well designed and vetted transformations that will increasingly make the data more usable and accessible for analytics needs. As data goes through each progressive transformation, we categorize these “new datasets” using the Medallion Data Architecture nomenclature: Bronze, Silver, & Gold.
Student Data Moving to the RAE FAQs
Is there a checklist available to help me know what action is required?
Yes. The Checklist for Moving ODS to RAE Information is available in the ARC.
RAE access questions
After January 1, 2025, no new accounts should be requested for the ODS. Any new user accounts requesting access to student data should be requested in the RAE.
If you already have an account in the RAE to access data other than student data, you will need to request permission to have student data added to your account.
If you do not have access to the RAE, you will need to request a new account.
The updated request form with specific information on how to request a new service account will be available when security updates have been made and access to the RAE can be granted. The same approval process used for access to the ODS will be continued in the RAE. The request for access will be approved by the data stewards prior to access being granted.
- If you are requesting either the student financials or student financials sensitive data domains, please complete “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) FY25” training in BuckeyeLearn prior to submitting your security request. To complete the training, log in to BuckeyeLearn and search for either the “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) FY25” or “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) FY25 Accessible Version” trainings.
What tools can I use to get data from the RAE database?
You will need to be connected using an appropriate VPN (eg, Cisco Secure Client-OSU Managed Devices)
Several software programs can be used to access the data and your choice depends on your use case. We recommend the dBeaver SQL client, but other tools such as Tableau and MS-Access can be used as well.
OTDI is able to provide guidance and help resources to learn SQL through both a BuckeyeLearn playlist and peer institution Northwestern University’s Knight Lab community.
Is there any new student data in the RAE?
In addition to the new curated cumulative datasets, you will also have access to daily historical change tables for most ODS tables and custom objects.
Will the connection information to the RAE be different than the ODS?
Yes. See the Checklist for Moving ODS to RAE Information available in the ARC.
Will there be schema changes?
Yes. See the Schema Changes for Student Data in RAE information in the ARC.
I am having issues with MS Access. Are there tips for converting my MS Access to use the RAE?
Yes. See the Frequently Asked Questions section of the RAE help materials in the ARC.
What will happen to the data in the data mart (DWDMOSU)?
See the Frequently Asked Questions section of the RAE help materials in the ARC.
Helpful information was shared during the project regarding SQL. Can I access that information?
See the Frequently Asked Questions section of the RAE help materials in the ARC.
I heard there is an update to MS Access that we can use with the transition to RAE.
See the Frequently Asked Questions section of the RAE help materials in the ARC.
Request Data Lake (RAE) Access
Learn how to request Reporting Access or Direct Access
Connecting to Data Lake (RAE)
Configure a client to connect after receiving credentials
Data Lake at a Glance
Content
The Enterprise Data Lake team is constantly working with data partners around campus to acquire, store, and make datasets available to analysts. The RAE’s primary focus is to capture data about Ohio State’s key business processes and systems. We do not store information or data related to OSU’s research mission, nor data from any OSU Medical Center systems (eg. EPIC). To learn more about the data we have currently loaded into the RAE, you can view the RAE Object Domain Directory Tableau dashboard.
Target Audience
The RAE forms the hub for data storage of datasets that analysts use daily to derive insights about Ohio State’s business operations and systems. The core user of the data lake will be someone that is skilled in:
- Relational databases
- SQL query writing
- Working with “as is” or “raw” data, including building your own transformation and join logic
- Building insights from the ground up using SQL queries and/or tools like Tableau, python, R, and SAS
As we previously mentioned, as data gets progressively cleansed and more aligned to a “final business view”, analysts that may not be as skilled in the above capabilities, may only referenced the RAE to utilize pre-built Silver or Gold layer data objects, sourcing them into tools like Tableau for dashboard building and reporting.
Technology Set
Today, the RAE data lake is powered by components within OSU Amazon Web Services that are combined into a customized system implementation. The core AWS components utilized by the RAE are:
- Redshift
- Glue
- Lambda
- S3
You can read more about AWS and its analytics tools and capabilities.
FAQs
What is the RAE?
The Reporting and Analytics Environment (RAE) is both a place to source and store data. It will provide an environment for data analysts interested in creating reports and performing analytics with cross-functional datasets. The RAE will house historical data, as well as data from other systems that will not be converted to Workday.
How is the RAE related to the implementation of Workday?
Workday’s robust reporting environment helps leverage Ohio State data quickly and easily for operational decisions at all leadership levels.
Much of the data that now resides in local data marts distributed across campus will be brought together in Workday and the Reporting and Analytics Environment. Teams in different units who rely on these data for their units’ processes will access them from Workday and the Reporting and Analytics Environment. Historical data from local data marts can be included in RAE.
If you aren't sure what step to take next for your reporting needs, check out the Reporting Overview information contained in the Administrative Resources Center (ARC), the repository of how-to information for many OTDI supported tools.
What tools can I use to access data in the RAE?
Data in the RAE can be accessed using Tableau Web (using Enterprise Tableau Data Sources), Tableau Desktop or any SQL-capable desktop tool (such as DBeaver).
How can I connect directly to the Redshift tables available to me?
If you have been granted access to any Redshift tables in the RAE, you can access them with a SQL navigation program. DBeaver is the selected tool of choice for accessing the RAE, however, you can still use your current software. You will need to update your settings in your SQL navigation program to be able to connect. Instructions on how to install DBeaver and what settings to use are located in the OTDI Knowledge Base.
I need a contact person for additional help with Workday reporting and historical data.
Contact information for reporting leads and business area representatives is available in the Adminsitrative Resource Center to help with your data and Workday reporting needs. Log in to the ARC with your Ohio State credentials.
If you still have questions about getting historical data or reporting help after consulting the information in the previous link, please contact the Service Desk by calling 614-688-4357 (HELP) or emailing servicedesk@osu.edu and ask that your question be routed to the “Administrative Services Data Warehouse” group.
Who should I contact for RAE technical support?
If you are having technical issues with connecting to or querying the RAE, please contact the IT Service Desk.
Need Help?
If you are having technical issues with connecting to or querying the RAE, please contact the IT Service Desk.