☛ Subject-oriented, meaning that the data in the database is organized so that all the data elements relating to the same real-world event or object are linked together.

☛ Time-variant, meaning that the changes to the data in the database are tracked and recorded so that reports can be produced showing changes over time.

☛ Non-volatile, meaning that data in the database is never over-written or deleted, once committed, the data is static, read-only, but retained for future reporting.

☛ Integrated, meaning that the database contains data from most or all of an organization's operational applications, and that this data is made consistent.