Data virtualization

Data virtualization is a process of offering a data access interface that hides the technical aspects of stored data, such as location, storage structure, API, access language, and storage technology.

• Analogous to concept of views in databases
• Data virtualization tools come with capabilities of  data integration, data federation, and data modeling
• Requires more memory caching
• Can integrate several data marts or data warehouses through a  single data virtualization layer
• This concept and software is a subset of data integration and is commonly used within business intelligence, service-oriented architecture data services, cloud computing, enterprise search, and master data management.
• Composite, Denodo, and Informatica are the largest players in the area of data virtualization

References for definition:
http://www.b-eye-network.com/view/14815