On-Line Analytical Processing Systems For Business

On-line analytical processing (OLAP) is clearly a new approach to information system technology—offering a much-needed way to make informed decisions better and faster. One of its most important characteristics is multidimensional analysis—analysis that goes beyond the conventional two-dimensional analysis and provides users with rapid retrieval of data from organizational databases, data warehouses, or both. Not only that, but most importantly, says Dr. Thierauf, it allows users to look at different dimensions of the same data, thus enabling them to do analyses across departmental and even corporate boundaries. How it works and OLAP's many benefits to aid users in the public and private sectors is spelled out here, comprehensively yet concisely, and with the author's customary well-developed examples and clear prose. His book will be important reading for people at all levels of management and in all types of organizations.

Another way of viewing OLAP is getting a typical company out of the custom-report-writing business and into the data-cube-server building business. An OLAP data structure can be thought of as a Rubik's Cube of data that users can twist and twirl in different ways to work through what-if and what-happened scenerios to get at the whys of the situation. Within an OLAP environment, the focus is on performing dictionary definition and maintenance as well as mapping flat files or relational columns to dimensions and measures. Although this may sound like a lot of work, managing one data cube is more efficient than writing a number of custom reports. Currently, some vendors provide administrative tools to get the data into the cubes in the first place, in the proper form, and on a regular basis. Hence, the job of managing data has been simplified for users.

Demonstrates the ways in which on-line analytical processing can present data in several dimensions, and thus provides new insights into organizational and business problem solving.

Booknews

Explains a new way of handling information, on-line analytical processing (OLAP). Part I introduces OLAP systems, discussing rationale, problem solving, and OLAP relationship to prior systems. Part II details essential elements of OLAP, with chapters on data warehousing and data communications, OLAP software, and implementing a system. Part III describes typical applications of OLAP systems, looking at marketing, manufacturing, accounting, and human resources. For practitioners and academics in information systems, systems analysts and MIS managers, company managers, and end users of OLAP. Can also be used as an undergraduate or graduate text. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

ROBERT J. THIERAUF is Professor of Information Systems at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio.