This page briefly describes the OLAP content at this site.

Introduction to OLAP (Last Updated January 21, 2002)

This article introduces the subject of OLAP, assuming you have no previous experience. The main elements of OLAP are defined: cubes, dimensions, members, formulas and hierarchies.

To Measure or not to Measure (Last Updated November 20, 2002)

This column discusses the issue of dimensional symmetry. In short, should MDDB implementations provide the same functionality for all dimensions, or they should define, either as optional or mandatory, some "special cases"? Most often these special cases relate to "Measures" or "Time".

Design alternatives are defined. Conceptual and practical consequences are explored.

This column assumes you have experience with OLAP.

About Time (First Published November 20, 2002)

Time seems to be a key aspect of most OLAP designs (there is some evidence it may be important in real life, too).

This article explore a few design issues and common problems related to Time dimensions, among them granularity and custom roll-ups.

This column assumes you have experience with OLAP.

Using MDX (Last Updated February 7, 2003)

This page will present a series of brief articles showing how to use MDX to solve common problems in cube design with Microsoft Analysis Services.

These examples assume you are familiar with MDX.

Please contact me with your comments and suggestions at : brianaltmann@yahoo.com