What is OLAP?
OnLine Analytical Processing
It is the technology behind many Business Intelligence (BI) applications. OLAP is a powerful technology for data discovery, including capabilities for limitless report viewing, complex analytical calculations, and predictive “what if” scenario (budget, forecast) planning.
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Scenario Maintenance – Analyzing the 2023 Rugby World Cup with OLAP Cube Technology
This is where OLAP technology can be especially helpful: we can demonstrate to ourselves how various scenarios generate different versions, all rooted in distinct assumptions. We can even consolidate all these assumptions into a single workbook, allowing us to work with these assumptions where the numbers exist or where actual calculations occur.
Dreamkillers-Analyzing the 2023 Rugby World Cup with OLAP Cube Technology
Unique perspectives can unveil insights that other technologies might not provide. In this case, I’ve employed OLAP to investigate a distinct facet of Rugby World Cup data—specifically, the concept of “dream killers.”
Retail OTB (Open to Buy) Planning with PowerExcel
OTB (Open-to-Buy) is a forward-looking metric based on future projections. In retail, it involves assessing current stock and estimating the exact amount of stock needed to achieve a predetermined target. It’s a blend of sales forecasting and stock planning, requiring accurate data and meticulous calculations.
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The Importance of Planning and Forecasting in BI
From PARIS Technologies
The budgeting and forecasting process for most organizations is long and tedious and occurs on an annual basis, at least. Companies try to do it more often to improve accuracy and aim to ultimately implement a procedure for continuous planning, rolling forecasts, and driver-based planning.
Unlike any other business process, budgeting and forecasting is unique because it is forward thinking. Business processes like accounting, inventory tracking, invoicing, shipping, etc. are based on actual events from the past and present.
This is a fundamental difference as it also defines how the data from these processes are managed. Essentially, actual events are captured as transactions in ERPs, supply chain systems, invoicing and accounting systems, etc., and data related to it is effectively stored in its databases. On the other hand, budgets and forecasts typically reside in spreadsheets where aggregate data is entered by several people in the organization.
OLAP Resources
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OLAP 101
This ebook offers context for newbies to OLAP technology. Learn where OLAP came from and how it developed into the Business Intelligence technology we know today.
OLAP Timeline
Learn about the history of OLAP technology with this comprehensive inforgraphic
OLAP Terms
Learn all the terms you need to start your OLAP journey.