If one has a number of databases (due to separate application front-ends) that provide a complete picture – for example a CRM, accounting, and product database – what methods are available to centralize/abstract this data for easy reporting?
Essentially, I’m wondering if there is a way to automatically pull data from multiple databases into a central repository that is continuously updated from the three databases and which can be used for reporting?
I’m also open to alternative best practice suggestions?
Look into building a Data warehouse.
It is difficult to provide very specific info, since no version of SQL Server is given, but SQL Server Data Warehouse Cribsheet has some general information.