hi sander,
just a quick one, i hope ...
when you state "...Inbound ODS layer is optional. If it is used, then the data retention period is rather short (e.g. one week). "
i was revisiting some documentation and here LSA++ (Layered Scalable Architecture) for SAP NetWeaver BW on SAP HANA page 40 and forward, it says some interesting things
1. Real time querying
2. Source for EDW
disregarding the virtual sources, such as smart data access, i do not read that this layer is optional. from what i can read, it is used to populate the EDW layer, and can also be queried upon.
there is nothing in that document that suggests the ODS is temporary.
thanks
glen