Defining OLAP Solutions and Data Warehouse design

Written by Exforsys.com


This tutorial covers OLAP solutions used by Data warehouses and understanding Data Warehouse design. The enterprise needs to ask itself certain fundamental questions before actually launching onrepparttar process of designingrepparttar 107218 data warehouse. It must begin with a conviction that a data warehouse would really help its business andrepparttar 107219 return on investment will make it worth it.

Defining OLAP Solutions

The data warehouse offloads data from a multitude of sources. The cleaned, validated and loaded data is voluminous and daunting. This data needs to be organized, categorized and arranged in meaningful order for analytical purposes. OLAP solutions are specifically designed to cater to this need.

OLAP solutions used by Data warehouses are:

Multidimensional views of data. Data inrepparttar 107220 data warehouse is organized into subject oriented categories and tables. Fact tables are constructed and linked to various dimensional tables in star or snowflake schemas or combinations of them to form multidimensional views of data. Cubes are built using these multidimensional schemas. Rapid browsing and querying then becomes possible. These views are independent ofrepparttar 107221 way in which data is stored inrepparttar 107222 data warehouse.

Interactive query and analysis of data is another OLAP solution that enables users drill down, drill up and slice data by using multiple passes. Users can drill down to successive lower levels of detail or roll up to higher levels of summarization and aggregation.

Analytical modeling is an OLAP tool that is a calculation engine for deriving ratios, variances etc., involving measurements and numerical data across many dimensions.

Functional models are made available by using OLAP for forecasting, trend analysis etc. They support users in data analysis.

Graphical OLAP tools are used to display data in 2D or 3D cross tabs and charts and graphs with easy pivoting of axis. This is important for users who need to analyze data from different perspectives andrepparttar 107223 analysis of one perspective leads to business questions that need to be examined from other perspectives.

Rapid response to queries is a must in any analysis of data andrepparttar 107224 measure of success forrepparttar 107225 OLAP tool. Nigel Pendse and Richard Creeth, authors ofrepparttar 107226 OLAP Report developedrepparttar 107227 FASMI (Fast Analysis of Shared Multidimensional Information) test to judge whether or not an application qualifies to an OLAP tool. Their contention was that an OLAP tool should provide fast browsing capabilities (< five seconds), should contain analytical tools both forrepparttar 107228 developer andrepparttar 107229 end user;repparttar 107230 cubes must be able to handlerepparttar 107231 security requirements of sharing confidential information and it should present data multi-dimensionally.

Multi dimensional data storage engine stores data in arrays. These arrays are logical representations ofrepparttar 107232 business dimensions.

Spyware and Adware – Are You Protected?

Written by Clyde Dennis


Spyware is without doubtrepparttar most prevalent threat to online computer privacy and security.

Exactly what is Spyware?

Spyware applications are programs and files that hide on your PC's hard drive without your direct knowledge. They allow hackers and advertising companies to track your every move, both online and even when you work offline.

Trackingrepparttar 107217 websites you visit,repparttar 107218 items that you buy online,repparttar 107219 emails you send and receive, your Instant Message dialog, and worst of all they can even record your credit card number, personal identification numbers, and all of your passwords.

If you use dial-up to connect torepparttar 107220 Internet then spyware can be used to bill 900 numbers to your telephone bill.

Spyware allows hackers to take control of your browser and alter your computer system files.

These computer parasites slow down your Internet connection by inundating you with unwanted Spyware pop-up ads.

This is just a short list ofrepparttar 107221 harm that Spyware can cause.

Note: Spyware and Adware cannot be detected by anti-virus and firewall software.

Some Disturbing Facts About Spyware:

· Spyware infects 91% of all computers. That equates to an alarming 9 out of 10 computers!

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