Powerful OLAP Technology

Online analytical processing (OLAP) is a technology that provides an interactive connection to business information—the foundation for powerful multi-dimensional data analysis such as drillthrough to underlying data, slicing and dicing, multiple dimension hierarchies, and trend analysis between versions and time periods. Prophix leverages Microsoft Analysis Services, the leader in OLAP database services.

With OLAP, there is no need to compile numerous spreadsheets since all data is shared on a centralized server across the organization; therefore, everyone is always looking at the same data. Even further, multiple roll-ups in OLAP allow users to view the same data from multiple points of view with a simple click of the button. Data is aggregated and summarized across multiple business units quickly and securely providing different consolidation and sub-consolidation levels on the fly.

Being multi-dimensional, OLAP business models allow users to analyze data across multiple business perspectives. The ability to analyze data in an ad hoc manner is inherent in the technology and can further be exported to Excel for other uses. Drillthrough capabilities (e.g. from reported data to transactional details) are also integral in the product. OLAP gives users the ability to drag and drop and slice and dice the data to manipulate information to test different scenarios or find answers to business questions. Detailed as well as high-level consolidated data can be reviewed and analyzed within seconds without the need for IT resources.