OLAP 

Purpose

SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence uses OLAP technology to analyze the data that is stored in the data warehouse. Online Analytical Processing(OLAP) characterizes business intelligence as a Decision Support System since it allows decision makers to analyze multidimensionally modeled data quickly and interactively in accordance with business management needs.

InfoProviders provide the view of the data. Because the data in InfoCubes is stored in a read-optimized form, InfoCubes and MultiProviders based on InfoCubes are the preferred InfoProvider.

Integration

The OLAP Processor, a component of the BI server, lies between the user and the database: It makes the multi-dimensionally formatted data available to both the BI front end and, using special interfaces (Open Analysis Interfaces) to third-party administrator front ends too. For this reason, the OLAP processor is optimized for the analysis and reporting of very large datasets. Users can request ad hoc individual views of business-relevant data using the Business Explorer (see BI Suite: Business Explorer).

The following graphic displays the status and tasks of the OLAP processor within the data processing process when a multidimensional analysis is executed:

Queries are the basis of every analysis in SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence. To formally define a multidimensional request, a query determines:

●     the structure – analog to a worksheet (see Structures, Defining Restricted Key Figures, Defining Calculated Key Figures, Defining Exception Cells).

●     the filter that affects this structure

●     the navigation space (free characteristics) (see Restricting Characteristics).

The BI system has a number of analysis and navigation functions for formatting and evaluating a company’s data. These allow the user to formulate individual requests on the basis of multi-dimensionally modeled datasets (InfoProviders). Subsequently the user is able to view and evaluate this data from different perspectives at runtime. The overall functionality for retrieving, processing and formatting this data is provided by the OLAP processor.

In the context of BI Integrated Planning, you can use input ready queries for manual planning. For more information, see BI Integrated Planning and Input Ready Queries.

Features

The following table offers an overview of the OLAP functions and services implemented in the analytic engine of SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence.

For more information, see Special OLAP Functions and Services, Performance Optimization and the BI Suite: Business Explorer section.

OLAP functions and services: an overview

OLAP Function	Operations in Detail
Navigation	·         Drilldown to characteristic / structure element. Remove element drilldown from the view (dice) ·         Expand (drilldown) and hide (drill up) hierarchy nodes ·         Exchange drilldown elements (swap)
Filtering	·         Restrict (slice) characteristics to selections (single value, value range, hierarchy element, exclusion)
Aggregation	·         Standard aggregation: Default, key figure-dependant calculation formula for the aggregation of single result values) ·         Exception aggregation: Special aggregation setting in relation to a particular characteristic. For example, aggregation average of account balance with reference to the characteristic ‘time’ ·         Local aggregation or local calculation: (for example, the calculation of individual values displayed for normalizing from the overall result)
Layout	·         Layout of the characteristics as key / description ·         Display / suppress results rows ·         Change position of hierarchy nodes (up / down)
Result-dependant selection and layout	·         Threshold values (exceptions): (Colored highlighting of uncommon variance in key figure values) ·         Conditions: (Key figure-dependent restriction of characteristics according to defined conditions)
Structuring	·         Hierarchical assignment of characteristic values with drill down for more than one element (‘Universal Display Hierarchy’)
Generic and business analysis functions	·         Sorting with reference to characteristics and key figures ·         Calculated key figures and formulas (enables statistical and mathematical calculation on the basis of key figure values) ·         Currency translation ·         Elimination of internal business volume: (business elimination of internal transactions)
Concepts for optimizing runtime	·         Non-cumulatives ·         Aggregates ·         OLAP Cache (can be implemented in cache mode, depending on the query)
Integrated additional functions	·         Variables for parameterization and increased reusability of queries ·         Report-report interfaces for navigation in different reports ·         Authorization concept for controlling user authorizations with reference to accessing data