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On Line Analytical Processing, OLAP, is one of the most efficient ways
of sophisticated data processing and interpretation reporting.
OLAP helps analyze
data in various ways, including finance budgeting,
planning, simulation, data warehouse reporting, and trend analysis. A
main component of OLAP is its ability to make multidimensional
calculations, allowing a wide and lightning-fast array of possibilities.
In addition, the bigger the business, the bigger its business reporting
needs. Multidimensional calculations enable a large business to complete
in seconds what it otherwise would have waited a handful of minutes to
receive.
Benefits of OLAP
One main benefit
of OLAP is consistency of calculations. No matter how fast data is
processed through OLAP software , servers, the reporting that results is
presented in a consistent presentation, so executives always know what
to look for where. This is especially helpful when comparing information
from previous reports to information contained in new ones and projected
future ones. "What if" scenarios are some of the most popular uses of
OLAP software and are made eminently more possible by multidimensional
processing.
Another benefit of
multidimensional data presentation is that it allows a manager to pull
down data from an OLAP database in broad or specific terms. In other
words, reporting can be as simple as comparing a few lines of data in
one column of a spreadsheet as complex as viewing all aspects of a
mountain of data. Also, multidimensional presentation can create an
understanding of relationships not previously realized. All of this, of
course, can be done in the blink of an eye.
Currently, ORACLE OLAP is being used in finance and will soon venture
into other areas
like alumni and enrollment.
For more
information contact UIS group at
Cletus Rickert at 94431.
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