12.4. Overview of the Business Data Catalog
Before delving deeper into the mysteries of the Report Center and Excel Services, it's important to address a vital aspect of business intelligence and of SharePoint Server 2007—the business data catalog (BDC). The BDC is a new shared service in SharePoint 2007 that allows users to access information from back-end applications within the site collection using the usual SharePoint tools such as web parts, lists, search, and so on. The BDC is not a storage method but rather a cataloging method that keeps track of and allows real-time access to dissimilar data sources as well as defining SharePoint-relevant business applications.
The BDC tracks the various different data sources you need to function productively ...
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