What are OLAP tools

If your business needs support via proper data analysis, use OLAP tools for the most accurate business intelligence. OLAP tools are used for decision-making, operations research, and business modelling. They support multidimensional data analysis of different types of information – for OLAP analysis data is represented in a form of a multidimensional cube. For example, you need to analyze your business’ sales by product, seller, date, region, and more parameters. Each of these parameters transforms into a cube’s dimension.

OLAP cube tools

As stated earlier, all data for OLAP analysis is represented in a form of a cube with multiple dimensions. This method of data representation helps to see information from different perspectives and analyze it in a more significant way. The main OLAP cube operations used in data analysis and performed by OLAP tools are:

• • Slicing, an OLAP cube operation that helps to see and analyze less data. Use this function to pick single value from dimension and create a subcube with less data.
  • Dicing. Dicing is similar to slicing, but has one difference – when using this operation you are supposed to choose several values on multiple dimensions.
  • Drilling Down or Up. These OLAP cube operations allow navigating between the most summarized data and the most detailed one.
  • Rolling Up allows summarizing data on one dimension.
  • Pivoting is an operation used to rotate the cube and watch its various sides.

OLAP functions and tools in Ranet OLAP

Ranet OLAP is a powerful OLAP analysis tool that was designed to work specifically with Microsoft Analysis Services. Ranet OLAP tool easily integrates with Microsoft SQL server and supports all OLAP functions:

• • • • Advanced data aggregation, consolidation and so on. Different data sorting by parameters allows using the tool to analyze data across dimensions.
      • Additional computational functions allow using statistical, forecasting functions, financial and accounting ratios and more.
      • OLAP data modelling functions and tools to perform what-if scenarios, linear programming and more.
      • Advanced support of large databases and different data sources.

Ranet OLAP is also a reporting tool that provides users with an ability to create and update interactive reports online without using loads of different Excel files.