From [email protected] Thu Aug 4 15:37:13 1994
Path: uunet!bounce-back
From: [email protected] (Daniel Druker)
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,comp.databases,comp.databases.theory,comp.databases.oracle,comp.databases.sybase,comp.databases.informix,comp.databases.rdb
Subject: RFD: comp.databases.olap
Followup-To: news.groups
Date: 4 Aug 1994 15:16:29 -0400
Organization: The Anderson School at UCLA
Lines: 212
Sender: [email protected]
Approved: [email protected]
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net
Xref: uunet news.announce.newgroups:5446 news.groups:111282 comp.databases:37365 comp.databases.theory:2693 comp.databases.oracle:17234 comp.databases.sybase:9571 comp.databases.informix:11345 comp.databases.rdb:1182
This is a formal Request For Discussion (RFD) regarding the formation of
the group comp.databases.olap. This usenet newsgroup will discuss
the issues encompassing On-Line Analytical Processing, as defined by E.F.
Codd of Codd and Date Inc. in his recent white paper entitled "Providing
OLAP (On-line Analytical Processing) to User-Analysts: an IT Mandate".
Topics which could be discussed in this newsgroup include
multidimensional databases, multidimensional analysis tools and
techniques, decision support systems (DSS), executive information systems
(EIS), data warehousing, data marting, and a host of other related
topics. In general, OLAP is about getting data out of transaction
procesing systems and turning it into information. A more complete
description of the Codd paper on OLAP is given below, along with
additional references that I have found to be helpful on this topic.
This is ***NOT*** a Call For Votes (CFV).
A CFV will be issued to the newsgroups that this RFD had been posted to
21 to 30 days from the date that this message first appears. This assumes
that no serious problems with the newsgroup proposal are noted. Voting
will be recorded by a neutral third party at the CFV stage.
This message will be reposted weekly until the CFV is issued.
Any follow-up to this RFD should be directed to news.groups.
Name : comp.databases.olap
Description : On-Line Analytical Processing, MDDBMS, DSS, EIS
Status : Unmoderated
Distribution : Worldwide
Proposed by : Daniel Druker ([email protected])
Important Note : I work for Arbor Software, which distributes a product,
Essbase, that will probably be discussed in this
group. My intent is NOT to use this group as a
marketing tool for Essbase, but rather to provide a
forum for discussion about all OLAP products and
concepts, including competing products and
technologies.
BACKGROUND:
===========
In August 1993, Codd and Date announced a major breakthrough in business
computing with 12 rules for On-Line Analytial Processing (OLAP).
Developed by Dr. E.F. Codd, with colleagues Clynch Salley and Sharon
Codd, OLAP is defined as the dynamic synthesis, analysis, and
consolidation of large volumes of multidimensional data. Dr. Codd is the
founder of Codd and Date, Inc, and is the inventor of the abstract model
and the 12 rules for relational technology.
With OLAP, Codd and Date has established and clarified a significant area
of business data processing and a new product category for
"multidimensional analysis" -- which are not adequately addressed by the
current combination of relational systems, spreadsheets, and query tools.
OLAP involves the dynamic and extensive manipulation of unlimited
variables of data, and complements On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP)
applications. OLAP applications include rapid consolidations and
multiple scenarios of forecasts, budgets, product plans, capital asset
plans, sales analyses, and performance reports. OLAP products make
multidimensional analysis easier and more efficient for business users.
RELEVANCE:
==========
There has recently been an explosion in industry interest in OLAP
concepts, techniques, and products. This is reflected both in an
increase in trade press articles and commercial products which serve this
segment. In the comp.databases hierarchy there has been a similar
increase in postings relating to the issues that would be covered by this
newsgroup.
It is my belief that the increasing interest has been largely driven by
the realization that now that we have figured out how to stuff 1000 TPS
into a database, we need better tools and techniques to get the data out
in a form that analysts can use to solve business problems. The intent
is for this newsgroup to provide a place to centralize issues, expertise,
and information relating to OLAP.
CHARTER:
========
The purpose of this group is to discuss all aspects of On-Line Analytical
Processing.
This newsgroup will be an unmoderated group.
Topics appropriate to this newsgroup include but are not limited to:
- Decision Support Systems
- Executive Information Systems
- Multidimensional Database Systems
- Data Warehousing
- Data Marting
- Very Large Read-Only Databases
- Multidimensional Front-End Tools
- Sparse Data Models and Optimization Techniques
- Multidimensional Analysis using Relational Systems
- Limitations of SQL for business analysis
- Parallelization and other methods to speed processing.
- End User Query Tools
- Ad-Hoc Query Tools
- Business Reporting and Financial Analysis Tools
Commercial products which would probably be discussed in this newsgroup
include but are not limited to:
Multidimensional / Psuedo-Multidimensional Servers
--------------------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Arbor Software Essbase
Comshare FDC, Commander EIS
Dimensional Insight CrossTarget
IMRS Hyperion
IRI Express
Kenan Technologies Acumate, Multiway
Pilot Lightship Server
Data Warehouses / Relational Systems
------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Digital rdb
IBI Focus
IBM DB2
Informix Informix Database
NCR/Terradata Terradata Enterprise Server
Oracle Oracle7
Red Brick Warehouse
Sybase System 10
Tandem Non-Stop, Himalaya
Unify Unify/Uniface
Front Ends providing DSS, EIS, or Multidimensional Analysis
-----------------------------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Andyne Pablo
Brio DataPivot, DataPrism
Business Objects Business Objects
CA Compete, Supercalc
Cognos PowerPlay
Information Advantage Decision Support Suite
IntelligenceWare Corporate Vision
Lighten Advance
Lotus Improv
Metaphor DIS
Pilot Lightship
Power Thinking Tools FreeThink
Sinper TM/1 Perspectives
This list was taken from DBMS magazine, and augmented by me wherever
possible. If there are other products that you think should be added,
feel free to send me an email and I will add them to the list the next
time this RFD is posted.
REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION (RFD) DISTRIBUTION
=========================================
This RFD will be sent to the following newsgroups:
news.announce.newgroups
news.groups
comp.databases
comp.databases.informix
comp.databases.oracle
comp.databases.rdb
comp.databases.sybase
comp.databases.theory
This RFD has been proposed in accordance with the guidelines in
"How to Create a Usenet Newsgroup". A large portion of the
procedural text in this note was taken from a previous RFD written by
Paul N. Hayton.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RECOMMENDED FURTHER READINGS
=============================================
Codd, E.F., "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical Processing) to User-
Analysts: An IT Mandate", E.F. Codd and Associates, 1993
This white paper defined OLAP, and presents business cases for its
need and usefullness.
Finkelstein, Richard, "Understanding the need for On-Line Analytical
Servers" Performance Computing Inc., 1994
This white paper discusses the need for a seperate class of servers
for analytical processing.
Kimball, Ralph, "What's wrong with SQL", Datamation, June 1994.
This article discusses the limitations of SQL for business analysis.
It proposes a number of extensions to SQL. There is an associated
article which discusses modelling multidimensional data in
relational databases, but I couldn't remember its title off the top
of my head.
Kimball, Ralph, Interview in DBMS Magazine, June 1994.
Ralph discusses his experiences at Red Brick and Metaphor, two of
the seminal vendors in the DSS industry.
Survey of Multidimensional Analysis Tools", DBMS Magazine, June 1994.
This is a survey of multidimensional servers and products on the
market today.
--
Daniel Druker
Arbor Software Corporation
[email protected]
From [email protected] (RonDippold) Wed Aug 31 12:47:18 1994
Path: uunet!bounce-back
From: [email protected] (Ron "Asbestos" Dippold)
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,comp.databases,comp.databases.theory,comp.databases.oracle,comp.databases.sybase,comp.databases.informix,comp.databases.rdb,comp.databases.ingres,comp.client-server
Subject: CFV: comp.databases.olap
Followup-To: poster
Date: 30 Aug 1994 15:18:58 -0400
Organization: Usenet Volunteer Votetakers
Lines: 211
Sender: [email protected]
Approved: [email protected]
Expires: 21 Sep 1994 00:00:00 GMT
Message-ID:
References:
Reply-To: [email protected] (Ron Dippold Voting Alias)
NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net
Xref: uunet news.announce.newgroups:5554 news.groups:114441 comp.databases:38128 comp.databases.theory:2822 comp.databases.oracle:18406 comp.databases.sybase:10323 comp.databases.informix:11932 comp.databases.rdb:1350 comp.databases.ingres:8536 comp.client-server:5404
FIRST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)
unmoderated group comp.databases.olap
Newsgroups line:
comp.databases.olap Analytical Processing, Multidimensional DBMS, EIS, DSS
Votes must be received by 23:59:59 UTC, 20 September 1994.
This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party. For voting
questions only contact [email protected]. For questions about the
proposed group contact Daniel Druker
CHARTER
This usenet newsgroup will discuss the issues encompassing On-Line
Analytical Processing, as defined by E.F. Codd of Codd and Date Inc.
in his recent white paper entitled "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical
Processing) to User-Analysts: an IT Mandate".
Topics appropriate to this newsgroup include but are not limited to:
- Decision Support Systems
- Executive Information Systems
- Multidimensional Database Systems
- Data Warehousing
- Data Marting
- Very Large Read-Only Databases
- Multidimensional Front-End Tools
- Sparse Data Models and Optimization Techniques
- Multidimensional Analysis using Relational Systems
- Limitations of SQL for business analysis
- Parallelization and other methods to speed processing.
- End User Query Tools
- Ad-Hoc Query Tools
- Business Reporting and Financial Analysis Tools
Topics which could be discussed in this newsgroup include
multidimensional databases, multidimensional analysis tools and
techniques, decision support systems (DSS), executive information
systems (EIS), data warehousing, data marting, and a host of other
related topics. In general, OLAP is about getting data out of
transaction procesing systems and turning it into information. A more
complete description of the Codd paper on OLAP is given below, along
with additional references that I have found to be helpful on this
topic.
Note from Daniel Druker ([email protected]): I work for Arbor
Software, which distributes a product, Essbase, that will probably be
discussed in this group. My intent is NOT to use this group as a
marketing tool for Essbase, but rather to provide a forum for
discussion about all OLAP products and concepts, including competing
products and technologies.
BACKGROUND:
===========
In August 1993, Codd and Date announced a major breakthrough in business
computing with 12 rules for On-Line Analytial Processing (OLAP).
Developed by Dr. E.F. Codd, with colleagues Clynch Salley and Sharon
Codd, OLAP is defined as the dynamic synthesis, analysis, and
consolidation of large volumes of multidimensional data. Dr. Codd is the
founder of Codd and Date, Inc, and is the inventor of the abstract model
and the 12 rules for relational technology.
With OLAP, Codd and Date has established and clarified a significant area
of business data processing and a new product category for
"multidimensional analysis" -- which are not adequately addressed by the
current combination of relational systems, spreadsheets, and query tools.
OLAP involves the dynamic and extensive manipulation of unlimited
variables of data, and complements On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP)
applications. OLAP applications include rapid consolidations and
multiple scenarios of forecasts, budgets, product plans, capital asset
plans, sales analyses, and performance reports. OLAP products make
multidimensional analysis easier and more efficient for business users.
RELEVANCE:
==========
There has recently been an explosion in industry interest in OLAP
concepts, techniques, and products. This is reflected both in an
increase in trade press articles and commercial products which serve this
segment. In the comp.databases hierarchy there has been a similar
increase in postings relating to the issues that would be covered by this
newsgroup.
It is my belief that the increasing interest has been largely driven by
the realization that now that we have figured out how to stuff 1000 TPS
into a database, we need better tools and techniques to get the data out
in a form that analysts can use to solve business problems. The intent
is for this newsgroup to provide a place to centralize issues, expertise,
and information relating to OLAP.
Commercial products which would probably be discussed in this newsgroup
include but are not limited to:
Multidimensional / Psuedo-Multidimensional Servers
--------------------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Arbor Software Essbase
Comshare FDC, Commander EIS
Dimensional Insight CrossTarget
IMRS Hyperion
IRI Express
Kenan Technologies Acumate, Multiway
Pilot Lightship Server
Data Warehouses / Relational Systems
------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Digital rdb
IBI Focus
IBM DB2
Informix Informix Database
NCR/Terradata Terradata Enterprise Server
Oracle Oracle7
Red Brick Warehouse
Sybase System 10
Tandem Non-Stop, Himalaya
Unify Unify/Uniface
Front Ends providing DSS, EIS, or Multidimensional Analysis
-----------------------------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Ambit Research Ark
Andyne Pablo
Brio DataPivot, DataPrism
Business Objects Business Objects
CA Compete, Supercalc
Cognos PowerPlay
Information Advantage Decision Support Suite
IntelligenceWare Corporate Vision
Lighten Advance
Lotus Improv
Metaphor DIS
Pilot Lightship
Power Thinking Tools FreeThink
SAS Institute SAS
Sinper TM/1 Perspectives
Sycomp Pty Ltd CorVu
This list was taken from DBMS magazine, and augmented by me wherever
possible. If there are other products that you think should be added,
feel free to send me an email and I will add them to the list.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RECOMMENDED FURTHER READINGS
=============================================
Codd, E.F., "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical Processing) to User-
Analysts: An IT Mandate", E.F. Codd and Associates, 1993
This white paper defined OLAP, and presents business cases for its
need and usefullness.
Finkelstein, Richard, "Understanding the need for On-Line Analytical
Servers" Performance Computing Inc., 1994
This white paper discusses the need for a seperate class of servers
for analytical processing.
Kimball, Ralph, and Strehlo, Kevin "What's wrong with SQL", Datamation,
June 1994.
This article discusses the limitations of SQL for business analysis.
It proposes a number of extensions to SQL
Kimball, Ralph and Strehlo, Kevin "Why Decision Support fails and how
to fix it." Datamation, June 1994.
This article discusses modelling multidimensional data in
relational databases.
DBMS Magazine Interview "The Doctor of DSS", DBMS Magazine, July 1994.
Ralph Kimball discusses his experiences at Red Brick and Metaphor,
two of the seminal vendors in the DSS industry.
Frank, Maurice, "A drill down analysis of Multidimensional Databases,"
DBMS Magazine, July 1994.
This is a survey of multidimensional servers and products on the
market today.
McGill, "Multidimensionality - An alternative database format,"
April 1994.
A detailed theoretical comparison of relational vs. multidimensional
databases.
Lots of people have emailed asking how to get the Codd and Date and the
Finkelstein Papers. Arbor Software is providing them at no charge. TO
get a copy call 1-800-858-1666 or internationally +44-734-566749. Some
of the other vendors also offer the Codd paper, and numerous other
documents about OLAP. Contact them directly for more information. There
are efforts underway to make the white papers at least available on the
net, but this will take some time.
HOW TO VOTE
Send MAIL to: [email protected]
Just Replying should work if you are not reading this on a mailing list.
Your mail message should contain one of the following statements:
I vote YES on comp.databases.olap
I vote NO on comp.databases.olap
You may also ABSTAIN in place of YES/NO - this will not affect the outcome.
Anything else may be rejected by the automatic vote counting program. The
votetaker will respond to your received ballots with a personal acknowledge-
ment by mail - if you do not receive one within several days, try again.
It's your responsibility to make sure your vote is registered correctly.
One vote counted per person, no more than one per account. Addresses
and votes of all voters will be published in the final voting results list.
From [email protected] (RonDippold) Wed Sep 7 16:29:23 1994
Path: uunet!bounce-back
From: [email protected] (Ron "Asbestos" Dippold)
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,comp.databases,comp.databases.theory,comp.databases.oracle,comp.databases.sybase,comp.databases.informix,comp.databases.rdb,comp.databases.ingres,comp.client-server
Subject: 2nd CFV: comp.databases.olap
Supersedes:
Followup-To: poster
Date: 7 Sep 1994 16:12:26 -0400
Organization: Usenet Volunteer Votetakers
Lines: 218
Sender: [email protected]
Approved: [email protected]
Expires: 21 Sep 1994 00:00:00 GMT
Message-ID:
References:
Reply-To: [email protected] (Ron Dippold Voting Alias)
NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net
Xref: uunet news.announce.newgroups:5598 news.groups:115277 comp.databases:38368 comp.databases.theory:2851 comp.databases.oracle:18757 comp.databases.sybase:10520 comp.databases.informix:12079 comp.databases.rdb:1432 comp.databases.ingres:8657 comp.client-server:5545
LAST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)
unmoderated group comp.databases.olap
Newsgroups line:
comp.databases.olap Analytical Processing, Multidimensional DBMS, EIS, DSS
Votes must be received by 23:59:59 UTC, 20 September 1994.
This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party. For voting
questions only contact [email protected]. For questions about the
proposed group contact Daniel Druker
CHARTER
This usenet newsgroup will discuss the issues encompassing On-Line
Analytical Processing, as defined by E.F. Codd of Codd and Date Inc.
in his recent white paper entitled "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical
Processing) to User-Analysts: an IT Mandate".
Topics appropriate to this newsgroup include but are not limited to:
- Decision Support Systems
- Executive Information Systems
- Multidimensional Database Systems
- Data Warehousing
- Data Marting
- Very Large Read-Only Databases
- Multidimensional Front-End Tools
- Sparse Data Models and Optimization Techniques
- Multidimensional Analysis using Relational Systems
- Limitations of SQL for business analysis
- Parallelization and other methods to speed processing.
- End User Query Tools
- Ad-Hoc Query Tools
- Business Reporting and Financial Analysis Tools
Topics which could be discussed in this newsgroup include
multidimensional databases, multidimensional analysis tools and
techniques, decision support systems (DSS), executive information
systems (EIS), data warehousing, data marting, and a host of other
related topics. In general, OLAP is about getting data out of
transaction procesing systems and turning it into information. A more
complete description of the Codd paper on OLAP is given below, along
with additional references that I have found to be helpful on this
topic.
Note from Daniel Druker ([email protected]): I work for Arbor
Software, which distributes a product, Essbase, that will probably be
discussed in this group. My intent is NOT to use this group as a
marketing tool for Essbase, but rather to provide a forum for
discussion about all OLAP products and concepts, including competing
products and technologies.
BACKGROUND:
===========
In August 1993, Codd and Date announced a major breakthrough in business
computing with 12 rules for On-Line Analytial Processing (OLAP).
Developed by Dr. E.F. Codd, with colleagues Clynch Salley and Sharon
Codd, OLAP is defined as the dynamic synthesis, analysis, and
consolidation of large volumes of multidimensional data. Dr. Codd is the
founder of Codd and Date, Inc, and is the inventor of the abstract model
and the 12 rules for relational technology.
With OLAP, Codd and Date has established and clarified a significant area
of business data processing and a new product category for
"multidimensional analysis" -- which are not adequately addressed by the
current combination of relational systems, spreadsheets, and query tools.
OLAP involves the dynamic and extensive manipulation of unlimited
variables of data, and complements On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP)
applications. OLAP applications include rapid consolidations and
multiple scenarios of forecasts, budgets, product plans, capital asset
plans, sales analyses, and performance reports. OLAP products make
multidimensional analysis easier and more efficient for business users.
RELEVANCE:
==========
There has recently been an explosion in industry interest in OLAP
concepts, techniques, and products. This is reflected both in an
increase in trade press articles and commercial products which serve this
segment. In the comp.databases hierarchy there has been a similar
increase in postings relating to the issues that would be covered by this
newsgroup.
It is my belief that the increasing interest has been largely driven by
the realization that now that we have figured out how to stuff 1000 TPS
into a database, we need better tools and techniques to get the data out
in a form that analysts can use to solve business problems. The intent
is for this newsgroup to provide a place to centralize issues, expertise,
and information relating to OLAP.
Commercial products which would probably be discussed in this newsgroup
include but are not limited to:
Multidimensional / Psuedo-Multidimensional Servers
--------------------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Arbor Software Essbase
Comshare FDC, Commander EIS
Dimensional Insight CrossTarget
IMRS Hyperion
IRI Express
Kenan Technologies Acumate, Multiway
Pilot Lightship Server
Data Warehouses / Relational Systems
------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Digital rdb
IBI Focus
IBM DB2
Informix Informix Database
NCR/Terradata Terradata Enterprise Server
Oracle Oracle7
Red Brick Warehouse
Sybase System 10
Tandem Non-Stop, Himalaya
Unify Unify/Uniface
Front Ends providing DSS, EIS, or Multidimensional Analysis
-----------------------------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Ambit Research Ark
Andyne Pablo
Brio DataPivot, DataPrism
Business Objects Business Objects
CA Compete, Supercalc
Cognos PowerPlay
Information Advantage Decision Support Suite
IntelligenceWare Corporate Vision
Lighten Advance
Lotus Improv
Metaphor DIS
Pilot Lightship
Power Thinking Tools FreeThink
SAS Institute SAS
Sinper TM/1 Perspectives
Sycomp Pty Ltd CorVu
This list was taken from DBMS magazine, and augmented by me wherever
possible. If there are other products that you think should be added,
feel free to send me an email and I will add them to the list.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RECOMMENDED FURTHER READINGS
=============================================
Codd, E.F., "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical Processing) to User-
Analysts: An IT Mandate", E.F. Codd and Associates, 1993
This white paper defined OLAP, and presents business cases for its
need and usefullness.
Finkelstein, Richard, "Understanding the need for On-Line Analytical
Servers" Performance Computing Inc., 1994
This white paper discusses the need for a seperate class of servers
for analytical processing.
Kimball, Ralph, and Strehlo, Kevin "What's wrong with SQL", Datamation,
June 1994.
This article discusses the limitations of SQL for business analysis.
It proposes a number of extensions to SQL
Kimball, Ralph and Strehlo, Kevin "Why Decision Support fails and how
to fix it." Datamation, June 1994.
This article discusses modelling multidimensional data in
relational databases.
DBMS Magazine Interview "The Doctor of DSS", DBMS Magazine, July 1994.
Ralph Kimball discusses his experiences at Red Brick and Metaphor,
two of the seminal vendors in the DSS industry.
Frank, Maurice, "A drill down analysis of Multidimensional Databases,"
DBMS Magazine, July 1994.
This is a survey of multidimensional servers and products on the
market today.
McGill, "Multidimensionality - An alternative database format,"
April 1994.
A detailed theoretical comparison of relational vs. multidimensional
databases.
Lots of people have emailed asking how to get the Codd and Date and the
Finkelstein Papers. Arbor Software is providing them at no charge. TO
get a copy call 1-800-858-1666 or internationally +44-734-566749. Some
of the other vendors also offer the Codd paper, and numerous other
documents about OLAP. Contact them directly for more information. There
are efforts underway to make the white papers at least available on the
net, but this will take some time.
HOW TO VOTE
Send MAIL to: [email protected]
Just Replying should work if you are not reading this on a mailing list.
Your mail message should contain one of the following statements:
I vote YES on comp.databases.olap
I vote NO on comp.databases.olap
You may also ABSTAIN in place of YES/NO - this will not affect the outcome.
Anything else may be rejected by the automatic vote counting program. The
votetaker will respond to your received ballots with a personal acknowledge-
ment by mail - if you do not receive one within several days, try again.
It's your responsibility to make sure your vote is registered correctly.
One vote counted per person, no more than one per account. Addresses
and votes of all voters will be published in the final voting results list.
comp.databases.olap Bounce List - No need to revote
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
linus%zythera.UUCP Robert 'linus' Thona
[email protected] R. Michael Williams
From [email protected] (RonDippold) Thu Sep 22 22:49:33 1994
Path: uunet!bounce-back
From: [email protected] (Ron "Asbestos" Dippold)
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,comp.databases,comp.databases.theory,comp.databases.oracle,comp.databases.sybase,comp.databases.informix,comp.databases.rdb,comp.databases.ingres,comp.client-server
Subject: RESULT: comp.databases.olap passes 175:25
Supersedes:
Followup-To: news.groups
Date: 22 Sep 1994 21:29:38 -0400
Organization: Usenet Volunteer Votetakers
Lines: 415
Sender: [email protected]
Approved: [email protected]
Message-ID:
References:
NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net
Xref: uunet news.announce.newgroups:5672 news.groups:117315 comp.databases:38774 comp.databases.theory:2930 comp.databases.oracle:19474 comp.databases.sybase:11104 comp.databases.informix:12504 comp.databases.rdb:1546 comp.databases.ingres:8959 comp.client-server:5804
RESULT
unmoderated group comp.databases.olap passes 175:25
There were 175 YES votes and 25 NO votes, for a total of 200 valid votes.
There was 200 invalid ballot.
For group passage, YES votes must be at least 2/3 of all valid (YES and NO)
votes. There also must be at least 100 more YES votes than NO votes.
There is a five day discussion period after these results are posted. If no
serious allegations of voting irregularities are raised, the moderator of
news.announce.newgroups will create the group shortly thereafter.
Newsgroups line:
comp.databases.olap Analytical Processing, Multidimensional DBMS, EIS, DSS
This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party. For voting
questions only contact [email protected]. For questions about the
proposed group contact Daniel Druker
CHARTER
This usenet newsgroup will discuss the issues encompassing On-Line
Analytical Processing, as defined by E.F. Codd of Codd and Date Inc.
in his recent white paper entitled "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical
Processing) to User-Analysts: an IT Mandate".
Topics appropriate to this newsgroup include but are not limited to:
- Decision Support Systems
- Executive Information Systems
- Multidimensional Database Systems
- Data Warehousing
- Data Marting
- Very Large Read-Only Databases
- Multidimensional Front-End Tools
- Sparse Data Models and Optimization Techniques
- Multidimensional Analysis using Relational Systems
- Limitations of SQL for business analysis
- Parallelization and other methods to speed processing.
- End User Query Tools
- Ad-Hoc Query Tools
- Business Reporting and Financial Analysis Tools
Topics which could be discussed in this newsgroup include
multidimensional databases, multidimensional analysis tools and
techniques, decision support systems (DSS), executive information
systems (EIS), data warehousing, data marting, and a host of other
related topics. In general, OLAP is about getting data out of
transaction procesing systems and turning it into information. A more
complete description of the Codd paper on OLAP is given below, along
with additional references that I have found to be helpful on this
topic.
Note from Daniel Druker ([email protected]): I work for Arbor
Software, which distributes a product, Essbase, that will probably be
discussed in this group. My intent is NOT to use this group as a
marketing tool for Essbase, but rather to provide a forum for
discussion about all OLAP products and concepts, including competing
products and technologies.
BACKGROUND:
===========
In August 1993, Codd and Date announced a major breakthrough in business
computing with 12 rules for On-Line Analytial Processing (OLAP).
Developed by Dr. E.F. Codd, with colleagues Clynch Salley and Sharon
Codd, OLAP is defined as the dynamic synthesis, analysis, and
consolidation of large volumes of multidimensional data. Dr. Codd is the
founder of Codd and Date, Inc, and is the inventor of the abstract model
and the 12 rules for relational technology.
With OLAP, Codd and Date has established and clarified a significant area
of business data processing and a new product category for
"multidimensional analysis" -- which are not adequately addressed by the
current combination of relational systems, spreadsheets, and query tools.
OLAP involves the dynamic and extensive manipulation of unlimited
variables of data, and complements On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP)
applications. OLAP applications include rapid consolidations and
multiple scenarios of forecasts, budgets, product plans, capital asset
plans, sales analyses, and performance reports. OLAP products make
multidimensional analysis easier and more efficient for business users.
RELEVANCE:
==========
There has recently been an explosion in industry interest in OLAP
concepts, techniques, and products. This is reflected both in an
increase in trade press articles and commercial products which serve this
segment. In the comp.databases hierarchy there has been a similar
increase in postings relating to the issues that would be covered by this
newsgroup.
It is my belief that the increasing interest has been largely driven by
the realization that now that we have figured out how to stuff 1000 TPS
into a database, we need better tools and techniques to get the data out
in a form that analysts can use to solve business problems. The intent
is for this newsgroup to provide a place to centralize issues, expertise,
and information relating to OLAP.
Commercial products which would probably be discussed in this newsgroup
include but are not limited to:
Multidimensional / Psuedo-Multidimensional Servers
--------------------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Arbor Software Essbase
Comshare FDC, Commander EIS
Dimensional Insight CrossTarget
IMRS Hyperion
IRI Express
Kenan Technologies Acumate, Multiway
Pilot Lightship Server
Data Warehouses / Relational Systems
------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Digital rdb
IBI Focus
IBM DB2
Informix Informix Database
NCR/Terradata Terradata Enterprise Server
Oracle Oracle7
Red Brick Warehouse
Sybase System 10
Tandem Non-Stop, Himalaya
Unify Unify/Uniface
Front Ends providing DSS, EIS, or Multidimensional Analysis
-----------------------------------------------------------
Vendor Product
Ambit Research Ark
Andyne Pablo
Brio DataPivot, DataPrism
Business Objects Business Objects
CA Compete, Supercalc
Cognos PowerPlay
Information Advantage Decision Support Suite
IntelligenceWare Corporate Vision
Lighten Advance
Lotus Improv
Metaphor DIS
Pilot Lightship
Power Thinking Tools FreeThink
SAS Institute SAS
Sinper TM/1 Perspectives
Sycomp Pty Ltd CorVu
This list was taken from DBMS magazine, and augmented by me wherever
possible. If there are other products that you think should be added,
feel free to send me an email and I will add them to the list.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RECOMMENDED FURTHER READINGS
=============================================
Codd, E.F., "Providing OLAP (On-line Analytical Processing) to User-
Analysts: An IT Mandate", E.F. Codd and Associates, 1993
This white paper defined OLAP, and presents business cases for its
need and usefullness.
Finkelstein, Richard, "Understanding the need for On-Line Analytical
Servers" Performance Computing Inc., 1994
This white paper discusses the need for a seperate class of servers
for analytical processing.
Kimball, Ralph, and Strehlo, Kevin "What's wrong with SQL", Datamation,
June 1994.
This article discusses the limitations of SQL for business analysis.
It proposes a number of extensions to SQL
Kimball, Ralph and Strehlo, Kevin "Why Decision Support fails and how
to fix it." Datamation, June 1994.
This article discusses modelling multidimensional data in
relational databases.
DBMS Magazine Interview "The Doctor of DSS", DBMS Magazine, July 1994.
Ralph Kimball discusses his experiences at Red Brick and Metaphor,
two of the seminal vendors in the DSS industry.
Frank, Maurice, "A drill down analysis of Multidimensional Databases,"
DBMS Magazine, July 1994.
This is a survey of multidimensional servers and products on the
market today.
McGill, "Multidimensionality - An alternative database format,"
April 1994.
A detailed theoretical comparison of relational vs. multidimensional
databases.
Lots of people have emailed asking how to get the Codd and Date and the
Finkelstein Papers. Arbor Software is providing them at no charge. TO
get a copy call 1-800-858-1666 or internationally +44-734-566749. Some
of the other vendors also offer the Codd paper, and numerous other
documents about OLAP. Contact them directly for more information. There
are efforts underway to make the white papers at least available on the
net, but this will take some time.
comp.databases.olap Final Vote Ack
Voted Yes
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[email protected] Zach Shoher
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[email protected] Robert
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Robinson_George/[email protected]
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[email protected] Tony Scandora 708-252-7541
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[email protected] Sean O'Sullivan
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[email protected] Seth GRIMES, DCC/SDD (Tel (33-1)
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Smith_Avery/[email protected]
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Voted No
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[email protected] Neil Andrew Brench
[email protected] Mark Kupferman
[email protected] dionisopoulos panagiotis
[email protected] Kenneth P Crouch
[email protected] Christopher Ward
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[email protected] David Boothroyd
[email protected] drew
[email protected] Eric W Burger
[email protected] Emery Lapinski
[email protected] Pete 'Happy' Thomas
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[email protected] J. Porter Clark
[email protected] Richard H. Miller
[email protected] Ralph Waters
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[email protected] Steve Rogers
[email protected] Dwight Brown
[email protected] David Veal
Votes in error
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! Invalid address