Product Description

OLAP enables users to access information from multidimensional data warehouses almost instantly, to view information in any way they like, and to cleanly specify and carry out sophisticated calculations. Although many commercial OLAP tools and products are now available, OLAP is still a difficult and complex technology to master.

• Substantially updated with expanded coverage of implementation methods for data storage, access, and calculation; also, new chapters added to combine OLAP with data warehouse, mining, and decision support tools
• Teaches the best practices for building OLAP models that improve business and organizational decision-making, completely independent of commercial tools, using revised case studies
• Companion Web site provides updates on OLAP standards and tools, code examples, and links to valuable resources

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #531321 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.56" h x 7.64" w x 9.22" l, 2.59 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 696 pages

From the Publisher
This book is a hands-on guide to using OLAP to create multidimensional data systems that quickly retrieve information from storage. Explaining what OLAP actually is, the book details the many available OLAP tools, how to select the proper tool, and how to apply multidimensional structuring to existing data sets. CD-ROM includes a copy of software package TM1, a fully functioning version of each case study covered in the book, and a copy of visualization product "Data Diamond."

From the Back Cover
A complete, practical, hands-on guide to mastering OLAP technology "I was awestruck by the range, depth, and quality of this book." -Rick Crandall, OLAP Council Spokesman and Comshare Board Chairman Written in a clear and engaging style by one of the leading experts in the field, this book takes you on a comprehensive and richly illustrated journey from the most basic concepts to the most advanced areas of OLAP technology. The book describes both logical OLAP features, such as dimensions and hypercubes, and physical features, such as storage and access methods, using real-life case studies to illustrate concepts. You can follow these case studies, step-by-step, using the OLAP software provided on the accompanying CD-ROM. Inside this comprehensive resource you'll find:
* An overview of OLAP and its relationship to data warehousing
* Complete coverage of multidimensional features, including dimensions, hypercubes, hierarchies, data, links, and formulas
* Thorough treatment of how to visualize multidimensional data sets
* Practical steps for designing multidimensional information systems
* Case studies covering such topics as global planning for sales and marketing, portfolio analysis, air transportation, and cost-benefit analysis for infrastructure projects
* Guidelines for evaluating OLAP products, with OLAP vendor and product descriptions
On the CD-ROM you'll find:
* A copy of the OLAP software package used to create the book's case studies
* A functional version of each case study covered in the book
* A copy of the product used to create the book's visualizations
* A functional version of the visualizations created in the book
* A full listing of major OLAP vendors and tools
Visit our Web site at: http://www.wiley.com/compbooks/

About the Author
ERIK THOMSEN (ethomsen@dsslab.com) is Chief Scientist at DSS Lab, Inc., where he consults on the design and implementation of OLAP-based decision support systems, teaches at corporations and universities, and conducts research in the field of unified information systems. He also writes the "Analytic Solutions" column for Intelligent Enterprise. He is a coauthor of Microsoft OLAP Solutions (Wiley).