Centralizing / abstracting SQL Server data from multiple tables / databases

Question

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?

Answer 1

you can have views that join data from all your other databases.

Or do you want replicated data on all servers?

Answer 2

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.