Monthly Posting: comp.databases.olap Charter
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 1995 03:11:36 GMT
Message-ID: <ddruker-0201951911360001_at_192.0.2.1>
Last Updated: January 2, 1995.
Differences Since Last Posting:
Vendor / Product List Updated
Internet Resources Section Created
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 decision support systems (DSS), executive information systems (EIS), data warehousing, multidimensional databases, multidimensional analysis tools and techniques, 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.
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 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 Warehouses / Relational Systems
Vendor Product Digital rdb Evolutionary Technologies Extract! IBI Focus IBM DB2 Illustra Illustra Information Builders FOCUS, EDA/SQL Informix Informix Database Inmon Prism NCR/Teradata Teradata Enterprise Server Oracle Oracle7 Praxis International OmniWarehouse, OmniReplicator, OmniInfo Red Brick Red Brick Warehouse Software AG Adabas Sybase System 10, Expressway Tandem Non-Stop, Himalaya Trinzic Infopump UC Berkeley Postgres Unify Unify/Uniface UW Madison Paradise, SHORE
Financial Consolidation Tools
Comshare FDC IMRS Hyperion
Multidimensional Front-End Tools
Ambit Research Ark Andyne Pablo Cognos Powerplay Comshare Commander OLAP Lotus Improv Metaphor / IBM DIS Micro Strategy EIS Toolkit SABRE Decision Technologies Interactive Analysis System Sinper TM/1 Perspectives
Query Tools and Front Ends targeted at Decision Support and EIS
Vendor Product Andyne GQL Applix Arcade Bluestone dbViewer Borland Delphi95 Brio DataPivot, DataPrism, DataEdit Business Objects Business Objects Cambridge Quality Mgmt Performance Tracker Computer Associates Compete, Supercalc, Visual Express Cognos Impromptu Comshare Commander EIS 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 IntelligenceWare Corporate Vision, Iconic Query Informix Viewpoint 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 Software AG Esperant Software Interfaces SQL Assist Spinnaker Personal Access 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.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RECOMMENDED FURTHER READINGS
Codd, E.F., "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical Processing) to User-
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.
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_at_compuserve.com for more information.
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. 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.microsoft.com/ Microsoft Corporation 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
This is a new section for this posting, hence it is small. Please send me pointers to your favorite internet resources for OLAP and I will include them next month.
Disclaimer: This posting is not officially sponsored by Arbor Software.
Happy New Year !
- Dan
Home: Office:
Daniel Druker Daniel Druker
14190 Wild Plum Lane Arbor Software Corporation
Los Altos Hills, CA, 94022 1325 Chesapeake Terrace
ddruker_at_netcom.com Sunnyvale, CA, 94089
(800) 858-1666 x4027
ddruker_at_arborsoft.com
Received on Tue Jan 03 1995 - 04:11:36 CET