Final answer:
Companies store their databases in a 'data warehouse', a central repository designed for data analysis, reporting, and data mining, and crucial for business intelligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Companies use a data warehouse to store all of their databases so they are available when needed. The term 'data warehouse' refers to a large repository where a company collects and manages data from various sources. This data is usually structured and used for analysis, reporting, and data mining purposes. A data warehouse is essential for business intelligence activities as it allows for the storage of large volumes of information and enables efficient data retrieval and processing.