OLAP or “on-line analytical processing” is an enabling application technology and database model that grants users—such as functional managers—strategic decision making capabilities. OLAP analyzes the results of daily business, so tactical and strategic decisions can be made to change the way business is done and gain competitive advantage. OLAP tools include programs that show Multi-Dimensional Data, rather like a spreadsheet with six or seven dimensions instead of only two with drill down capability. …showed first 75 words of 752 total…

…showed last 75 words of 752 total…brings about the introduction of the “multidimensional conceptual view.” This is why OLAP models should be multidimensional in nature for maximum flexibility. Consequently, the quality and speed of the underlying database is distinguishing factor for OLAP tools. Such multidimensional tools are capable of rows or columns in a database hundreds of times faster than a relational database, so they are ideal to calculate and store consolidated data, and give us fast and consistent response times.