Business intelligence is a huge segment of the software world. Gartner Group estimates that sales in this area surpassed $10 billion in 2010, with Oracle as the second largest vendor in the category. At the heart of these analytical-oriented applications are dimensional data models with OLAP as a critical component for achieving high-performance.
If you want to do development work in this area or understand how to maximize its value, read this book. A professional in the world of analytics and business intelligence needs an understanding of OLAP's specific data modeling principles, its analysis capabilities, and its relationship to other analytical approaches. All are presented here in a systematic fashion written in an easy-to-follow style.
The Multidimensional Data Modeling Toolkit takes you on an instructional journey into the world of OLAP. It provides a comprehensive examination of data modeling and analytical techniques for the native multi-dimensional information storage framework that Oracle OLAP provides. You will get an in-depth look at OLAP's analytical possibilities as well as comparison with the approaches used in data mining and statistics. You will learn the design issues and get step-by-step programming instructions for solving real-world problems. Written by an expert with over 15 years experience using Oracle OLAP and its predecessors, the book explains critical techniques rarely taught in university or technical training programs.
The Multidimensional Data Modeling Toolkit takes you under the covers and shows you what happens inside of Oracle's Analytic Workspaces where the multidimensional magic occurs. Programming instruction is based on the Oracle 10g database, but most of the statements shown will work with other editions of the database, such as Oracle 9i and 11g, and even earlier editions of the technology found in stand-alone products such Oracle Financial Analyzer and Oracle Sales Analyzer
The data analysis principles presented are universal and can be applied to application that uses OLAP, for example OBIEE, Essbase, Cognos, Business Objects, and Microsoft Analysis Services (SSAS). Whether you are new to business intelligence or a seasoned practitioner, you should find The Multi-dimensional Data Modeling Toolkit with plenty of valuable insights to offer.
