OLAP Full Form

OLAP [Online analytical processing] is an initiative of technology for resolving queries related to multidimensional analytics. Mainly OLAP is designed for maintaining databases of large businesses. One more specialization of OLAP is to support the complex analysis of large businesses. 

Online analytical processing can be considered as a piece of business intelligence. It has a wide role in maintaining business intelligence. The third of those tasks is data mining. OLAP is used for answering complex queries related to MDA (multidimensional analytics) without affecting systems related to transactions.  so the databases which are used by the business for storing the records and transactions of the business are known as online transaction processing databases.

What are the uses of OLAP online analytical processing in business intelligence?

Generally, there are various uses of Online Analytical Processing in business intelligence, but mainly there are three uses that are specified for business intelligence. One of those important tasks is encompassing relational databases. The second of those important tasks is report writing. The third of those tasks is data mining. OLAP is used for answering complex queries related to MDA (multidimensional analytics) without affecting systems related to transactions.

What are the OLTP databases? 

So, basically, databases are used for storing records. Businesses need databases for storing their records and transactions, so the databases which are used by the business for storing the records and transactions of the business are known as online transaction processing databases. These OLTP online transaction processing databases are designed to contain records that are entered one at a time. OLTP databases contain quite important information about the organization. From a design point of view, OLTP databases are not designed for analysis, so they are not flexible for answering MDA (multidimensional analytics) queries. That’s why answering or resolving MDA (multidimensional analytical) queries by the OLTP databases is not feasible. If we try to resolve multidimensional analytical queries from the Online transaction processing databases, then it will be costly from the time and efforts point of view. It means Online transaction processing databases are not made for answering analytical queries. 

What is the specialization of OLAP databases? 

OLAP Online analytical processing databases are designed for the purpose of resolving multi-dimensional analytical queries. So these online analytical processing databases are feasible for low writing and heavy reading types of workloads.

What are the features of OLAP online analytical processing technology? 

If we talk about features of OLAP technology, then we can consider OLAP technology a quick solution for analytical queries. OLAP is quite rapid in processing MDA (multi-dimensional queries). It executes rapidly and answers the queries without affecting transactions. OLAP technology can be considered an important unit for business intelligence, as it provides strength for data mining. It also provides strength for trend analysis. OLAP Online Analytical Processing technology is able to analyze a big data amount that too from a different point of view or different perspectives quickly. There is one more feature of OLAP online analytical processing tools. OLAP is a software designed for organizing analytical queries, so this software enables users to analyze important information from multiple databases at the same moment. Users can analyze the information from multiple databases from different points of view and can extract the information. 

What are the basic operations of OLAP? 

As we know, OLAP is designed for analytical purposes, so there are analytical operations of OLAP. These analytical operations are three in number, which are basic and important from an analytics point of view. So these three basic analytical operations of OLAP are drill down, consolidation (roll-up), slicing, and dicing. 

What are the types of OLAP? 

There are various types of OLAP online analytical processing. So the types of OLAP are described below. There is a multidimensional online analytical processing OLAP. Relational OLAP is also a type. Hybrid OLAP is also another type of OLAP. There is an OLAP based on the Web so-known as Web-based OLAP. Another OLAP is a Desktop OLAP. There is an OLAP known as Real-time OLAP. There is a Graph OLAP. Last but not least, there is a context-aware semantic CASE OLAP. 

What are the typical applications of OLAP? 

Now, we talk about the applications of OLAP. First, OLAP is used for business reporting, and it’s quite a common use of OLAPs. OLAP is also used in sales marketing. Management reporting is also performed by OLAP. The management of the business process is efficiently done by OLAP. OLAP is also used for forecasting. Budgeting is also an application of OLAP. Financial reporting is also a quite common application of OLAP.

Conclusion

OLAP databases are the result of technology. These are designed for solving or answering analytical queries or multidimensional analytical queries. These are feasible for heavy reading. They are advanced or specialized databases of OLTP online transaction processing databases. There are various types of OLAP. All types of OLAP are categorized on the basis of work or application. Nowadays, OLAP is used in many areas, including business and Marketing. OLAP is an important unit for business intelligence.