Newsgroups: comp.databases.olap,comp.databases,comp.databases.theory,comp.client-server Path: news3.digex.net!news2.digex.net!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!noc.netcom.net!ix.netcom.com!netcom.com!NewsWatcher!user From: ddruker@netcom.com (Daniel Druker) Subject: Monthly Posting: comp.databases.olap Charter Message-ID: Followup-To: comp.databases.olap Keywords: OLAP, EIS, DSS, Multidimensional, Warehouse, FAQ Sender: ddruker@netcom3.netcom.com Organization: None Whatsoever Date: Thu, 4 May 1995 05:19:17 GMT Lines: 384 Xref: news3.digex.net comp.databases.olap:906 comp.databases:30986 comp.databases.theory:4021 comp.client-server:9645 Last Updated: May 1, 1995 New this time: Several new pointers in the internet resources section, and a reference to a recent article on OLAP in the April issue of Database Programming and Design that I thought was pretty informative. Charter of comp.databases.olap: This usenet newsgroup will discuss the issues encompassing On-Line Analytical Processing, as defined by E.F. Codd of Codd Inc. in his recent white paper entitled "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical Processing) to User-Analysts: an IT Mandate". Topics which could be discussed in this newsgroup include multidimensional databases, multidimensional analysis tools and techniques, decision support systems (DSS), executive information systems (EIS), data warehousing, data marting, and a host of other related topics. In general, OLAP is about getting data out of transaction procesing systems and turning it into information. A more complete description of the Codd paper on OLAP is given below, along with additional references that I have found to be helpful on this topic. Recently, Nigel Pendse of OLAP Solutions (100442.1025@compuserve.com) along with Richard Creeth has performed an amazingly in-depth study of OLAP tools and has come up with an excellent practical definition for OLAP he calls "Fast Analysis of Shared Multidimensional Information" or FASMI for short. Contact Nigel directly for additional details. BACKGROUND: =========== In August 1993, Codd and Date announced a major breakthrough in business computing with 12 rules for On-Line Analytial Processing (OLAP). Developed by Dr. E.F. Codd, with colleagues Clynch Salley and Sharon Codd, OLAP is defined as the dynamic synthesis, analysis, and consolidation of large volumes of multidimensional data. Dr. Codd is the founder of Codd and Date, Inc, and is the inventor of the abstract model and the 12 rules for relational technology. With OLAP, Codd and Date has established and clarified a significant area of business data processing and a new product category for "multidimensional analysis" -- which are not adequately addressed by the current combination of relational systems, spreadsheets, and query tools. OLAP involves the dynamic and extensive manipulation of unlimited variables of data, and complements On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP) applications. OLAP applications include rapid consolidations and multiple scenarios of forecasts, budgets, product plans, capital asset plans, sales analyses, and performance reports. OLAP products make multidimensional analysis easier and more efficient for business users. RELEVANCE: ========== There has recently been an explosion in industry interest in OLAP concepts, techniques, and products. This is reflected both in an increase in trade press articles and commercial products which serve this segment. In the comp.databases hierarchy there has been a similar increase in postings relating to the issues that would be covered by this newsgroup. It is my belief that the increasing interest has been largely driven by the realization that now that we have figured out how to stuff 1000 TPS into a normalized relational database, we need better tools and techniques to get the data out in a form that analysts can use to solve business problems. The intent is for this newsgroup to provide a place to centralize issues, expertise, and information relating to OLAP. CHARTER: ======== Topics appropriate to this newsgroup include but are not limited to: - Decision Support Systems - Executive Information Systems - Applications benefitting from dimensional modelling - Multidimensional Database Management Systems - Data Warehousing, Marting, and Mining - Very Large Databases - Multidimensional Front-End Tools - Sparse Data Models and Optimization Techniques - Dimensional Analysis using Relational Systems - Denormalization and the relational star model - Limitations of and improvements to SQL for business analysis - Parallelization and other methods to speed processing. - End User Query Tools - Ad-Hoc Query Tools - Business Reporting and Financial Analysis Tools - Financial Budgeting, Forecasting, and Consolidation Tools Commercial products which would probably be discussed in this newsgroup include but are not limited to: Multidimensional / Non-Relational Servers ----------------------------------------- Vendor Product Arbor Software Essbase Codework Helm Dimensional Insight CrossTarget Dunn & Bradstreet (Pilot) Lightship Server Holistic Systems Holos IRI Software Express Kenan Technologies Acumate, Multiway Metapraxis EKS Planning Sciences Gentium Sinper Systems TM/1 Spreadsheet Connector Data Warehouse Datastores ------------------------- Vendor Product AT&T GIS/NCR/Teradata Teradata Enterprise Server Computer Associates CA OpenIngres IBM DB2/ [2, 400, MVS, 6000] Illustra Illustra Information Builders Focus Database Informix Informix Database MasPar Decision Series Oracle Oracle7, rdb Red Brick Red Brick Warehouse Software AG Adabas Sybase System 10, IQ Accellerator Tandem Non-Stop, Himalaya UC Berkeley Postgres UW Madison Paradise, SHORE VMARK uniVerse Data Warehouse Infrastructure ----------------------------- Evolutionary Technologies Extract! Hewlett Packard Intelligent Warehouse IBM Dataguide, DDCS Information Builders EDA/SQL Inmon Prism Praxis International OmniWarehouse, OmniReplicator, OmniInfo Trinzic Infopump Unify Unify/Uniface Financial Consolidation Tools ----------------------------- Comshare FDC Hunt Systems Consolidation Auditor Hyperion Software Hyperion IRI Software FMS Multidimensional Front-End Tools -------------------------------- Advanced Visual Systems AVS Visualization Toolkit Ambit Research Ark Andyne Pablo Cognos Powerplay Comshare Commander OLAP, Execuview Lotus Improv Metaphor / IBM DIS Metapraxis Empower Micro Strategy EIS Toolkit SABRE Decision Technologies Interactive Analysis System Sinper TM/1 Perspectives Trinzic Forest & Trees Query Tools and Front Ends targeted at Decision Support and EIS --------------------------------------------------------------- Vendor Product Andyne GQL Applix Arcade Bluestone dbViewer Borland Delphi95, Reportsmith Brio DataPivot, DataPrism, DataEdit Business Objects Business Objects Cambridge Quality Mgmt Performance Tracker Cognos Impromptu Computer Associates Compete, Supercalc, Visual Express Comshare Commander EIS, Detect and Alert Concentric Data Systems R & R Reportwriter Coromandel Industries QBE Vision Data Ease Express Gupta SQL Windows, Quest IBM Visualizer Icons International Data Partner+ Information Advantage Decision Support Suite Information Builders Focus EIS, Focus 4GL IntelligenceWare Corporate Vision, Iconic Query Informix Viewpoint IRI Software Express EIS IQ Software IQ Access JAM JYACC Lighten Advance Lotus 1-2-3, Approach Mapinfo Mapinfo Microsoft Excel, Query, Access, EIS Toolkit Neuron Data Open Interface, DB Access Open Books Open Books Oracle Data Browser, Card, Data Query Osoft Development WinList ParcPlace VisualWorks Pilot Lightship Power Thinking Tools FreeThink Programmed Intelligence Intelligent Query Q+E Software Q+E Qualix dbViewer SAS Institute SAS Show Business Show Business Software AG Esperant Software Interfaces SQL Assist Spinnaker Personal Access SPSS SPSS Sterling Journey Sybase EasySQL Sycomp Pty Ltd CorVu TechGnossis SequeLink Template Software SNAP Trinzic Forest & Trees Unify Uniface, Personal Access, Personal Query This list was taken from DBMS magazine, and augmented by a number of contributers from the net. If there are other products that you think should be represented here, or if you wish to submit corrections or clarifications, feel free to send me an email and I will make all appropriate changes. The OLAP Council ================ The OLAP Council is a software industry association incorporated at the beginning of 1995 to provide education about the benefits of OLAP technology for business intelligence applications. Current members are Arbor Software Corporation, Comshare Incorporated, Holistic Systems, IRI Software, Pilot Software, and Planning Sciences. The Council is currently approaching additional vendors, consultants, and users for membership. The Council's fundamental tenets of on-line analytical processing are summarized as follows: o The need of end users to analyze corporate data for the purpose of making better decisions is of paramount importance. o OLAP technologies are essential to delivering this end-user value and are a critical component of a broader information technology architecture. o Corporate data needs to be transformed into multidimensional aggregations supporting enterprise-scale data volumes and hierarchies. o Fast, consistent response to end-user requests is critical to interactive, ad-hoc exploration, comparison and analysis of data, regardless of database size and complexity. o End users must be able to manipulate and derive data for analysis purposes by applying analytical operations such as ratios, cumulative totals, trends and allocations across dimensions and across hierarchical levels. o An OLAP Server may either physically stage the processed multidimensional information or populate its data structures in real-time from relational, OLTP or other databases, as long as it delivers consistent and rapid response to end users. The Council is working toward the specification of a standard Application Program Interface (API) for multidimensional navigation through data stored in an OLAP server. As its first deliverable, the Council created a set of terms and definitions to help IS professionals and end users understand the key benefits and applications of OLAP servers. This glossary is available from the Council free of charge. For information about OLAP technology or about membership in the OLAP Council, call (800) 474-OLAP BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RECOMMENDED FURTHER READINGS ============================================= Codd, E.F., "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical Processing) to User- Analysts: An IT Mandate", E.F. Codd and Associates, 1993 This white paper defined OLAP, and presents business cases for its need and usefullness. Finkelstein, Richard, "Understanding the need for On-Line Analytical Servers" Performance Computing Inc., 1994 This white paper discusses the need for a seperate class of servers for analytical processing. Rich can be reached at (312) 549-8325. Finkelstein, Richard, "MDD: Database Reaches the Next Dimension." Database Programming and Design, April, 1995. This is a very comprehensive article covering the differences between relational and multidimensional DBMS for OLAP applications. Kimball, Ralph, and Strehlo, Kevin "What's wrong with SQL", Datamation, June 1994. This article discusses the limitations of SQL for business analysis. It proposes a number of extensions to the SQL language to address common business analytical needs. Kimball, Ralph and Strehlo, Kevin "Why Decision Support fails and how to fix it." Datamation, June 1994. This article discusses modelling multidimensional data in relational databases. This is a good introduction to the star model for denormalized design. DBMS Magazine Interview "The Doctor of DSS", DBMS Magazine, July 1994. Ralph Kimball discusses his experiences at Red Brick and Metaphor, two of the seminal vendors in the DSS industry. Frank, Maurice, "A drill down analysis of Multidimensional Databases," DBMS Magazine, July 1994. This is a survey of multidimensional servers and products on the market today. Xenakis, John, "Multidimensional Databases," Application Development Strategies," Volume VI No. 4, April 1994. An industry analysis of the various multidimensional products on the market. Contact 73352.1625@compuserve.com for more information. There are also published analyst reports on OLAP from Gartner, Yankee, Patty Seybold, IDC, Meta, and Business Intelligence among others. Lots of people have emailed asking how to get the Codd and Date and the Finkelstein Papers. I expect to have them on line in EPS format in the next few months. In the meantime, Arbor Software is providing them at no charge. To get a copy call 1-800-858-1666, 408-727-5800, or in the U.K. +44-734-566749, or send me an e-mail with your name, title, company, phone number, and mailing address. Some of the other vendors also offer the Codd paper, and numerous other documents about OLAP. Contact them directly for more information. INTERNET RESOURCES ================== http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~anp/TheDataMine.html The Data Mine http://info.gte.com/~kdd/ Knowledge Discovery Mine http://www.cityscape.co.uk/users/ae29/olap.htm Savant Associates OLAP Page http://www.microsoft.com/ Microsoft World-Wide-Web Server http://www.apple.com/ Apple Computer Home Page http://www.ibm.com/ International Business Machines http://www.sun.com/ Sun Microsystems Home Page http://www.hp.com/ Hewlett Packard Home Page http://bbs.andyne.on.ca/ Andyne Home Page http://www.bf.rmit.edu.au/Oracle Oracle FAQ http://www.lpac.ac.uk/SEL-HPC/Articles/DBArchive.html Database Article Archive http://www.oracle.com/ Oracle Home Page http://www.redbrick.com/ Red Brick Home Page http://www.tandem.com/ Tandem Home Page http://www.informix.com/ Informix Home Page http://www.sybase.com/ Sybase Home Page This section is still under development, hence it is small. Please send me pointers to your favorite internet resources for OLAP and I will include them next month. Disclaimers: This posting is not officially sponsored by Arbor Software. This posting is not officially sponsored by the OLAP Council. - Dan Home: Office: Daniel Druker Daniel Druker 14190 Wild Plum Lane Strategic Alliances Los Altos Hills, CA, 94022 Arbor Software Corporation ddruker@netcom.com 1325 Chesapeake Terrace Sunnyvale, CA, 94089 (408) 727-5800 x4027 ddruker@arborsoft.com