Data is moved from source tables to load tables via scripts, database links and ODBC links. These load tables are created by dragging and dropping from a connection object. Load tables are generally based on source system tables. Their main purpose is to be a destination for moving data as simply and quickly as possible from the source system. Load tables will generally hold a single unit of data (e.g. last night or last month), and will be truncated at the start of each extract. Transformations can be performed on the columns during the load process if required.

Load tables feed stage tables, which in turn feed data store,model or dimension tables. Data from multiple load tables can be combined at this level.

First tier transactional tables (fact or model) are created and updated from stage tables. Second tier tables (model, summary rollup, aggregate, KPI etc) are created and updated from lower level tables.

Cubes can be created from transactional tables or views.