DataBase Activity OLAP ,Types ,Benefits and Application.

Two types of Database Activity 

1. OLTP (Online Transcation processing)  2. OLAP (Online Analytical Processing)

Here focus is on OLAP..

What is OLAP ?

OLAP is stand for Online Analytical Processing.It is a type of Software tool especially developed for Dataware houses(A data warehouse is a subject-oriented, integrated, time-variant and non-volatile collection of data in support of management's decision making process.). OLAP allows user to analyse database information from multiple database systems at a time.It allows Analyst to get an insight of the information through Fast ,Consistent and Interactive Access.its database size is 100GB-TB.

It has been growing in Popularity due to increase in Data Volume and recognition of Busniess value analytics. For instance ,OLAP technology could provide management with fast answer to complex queries on thier operational data or enable them to analysis their company's  historical data for trends and patterns.

Some Popular OLAP Server program includes:

Oracle Express Server,

Hyperion solution Essbass.

OLAP are typically design for Multi-user-environment.


Diagram ,when OLAP is used in process.

                                  The Olap Cube

The Olap cube is a data structure used for fast analysis of data.The arrangement of data into cubes overcomes a limitation of relational databases.

A multidimensional cube can combine data sources and store the information in a form that are logical for business user.

Types Of OLAP

1.Relational OLAP (ROLAP)

2. Multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP)

3.Hybrid OLAP (HOLAP)

Relational OLAP

->Provide functionalty for using relational database and relational query tools to store and analysis multidimensional data.

->Build on Existing relational technologies and represent exixtence to all those companies who already used RDBMS.

->support for very large database.
Implementation : 
Data is stored in tables in Relational database.They use RDBMS to manage the warehouse data and aggregation using Star schema.
Advantage: Scalable.

Multidimensional OLAP

->MOLAP extends OLAP functionality to MDBMS.

->Best suited to store data, analyse multidimensional data.

->Database size Small to Medium.
Implementation:
Implement the multidimensonal view by storing data in multidimensional data structures.
Advantage : Only value are stored.

Benefits of OLAP

1. Main benefit of OLAP is Consistency of information and Calculation.

2.OLAP creates Single information for all the information and busniess needs ,planning, budgeting, forcasting, reporting and analyse.

Application of OLAP

1. OLE DB for OLAP
 -> is Microsoft published specification and industry standard for multidimensional data processing.

2. Market and Sales Analysis.

3. Consumer goods Industry .

4. Financial Service industry ( banks, insurance etc).

5. Database Marketing.