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Chapter 2
[ 35 ]
Study carefully how the MYR 2009 number can be easily added to the MYR 2010
number to give us the Total Model Year number.
This is a highly simplied example of an Essbase database outline, its structure, and
relationships. In the next chapter, we will go over the Essbase database outline much
more thoroughly.
In the next section, we shall use what we have learned here to make decisions on
the best methods to store data in our Essbase database.
Determine data storage options
Get ready to toss out everything you've ever learned about storing data in a typical
relational database with tables, rows, and columns. Keeping the above example of
the Essbase outline in mind, we will now begin covering how the data is stored in
Essbase and the various options available to you (the Essbase programmer).
An Essbase cube usually stores less physical data than a typical relational
database must store to deliver the same results to the user. Usually,
the greatest saving is in the expense of data retrieval times. The results
returned from a typical Essbase database require less processing overhead
than the similar results being delivered as the result of queries performed
against relational database tables.
Essbase stores data in what is commonly referred to as a multidimensional array.
This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009
8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423
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Essbase Data and Design Considerations
[ 36 ]
Inside the multidimensional array are the data cells. It is these data cells where the
data is actually stored.
The smallest vehicle that Essbase uses to store data is a cell. A data cell however,
cannot stand alone. The smallest usable vehicle to store data, contained in an
Essbase database, is the data block (see the following gure). These data blocks


are the building blocks of the Essbase cube:
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Production
Sales
Stock
Profit
Jan Feb
Mar
Apr
A simplied explanation is that the data blocks are made up of data cells.
The number of data cells are, for the most part, in direct relation to the number
of dimensions in the Essbase outline (the data attributes explained previously),
and the number of possible data combinations or intersections that can be created.
Relational Sales Table
Country
Country
Vehicle
Vehicle Model Year
Retail
Retail
Fleet
Fleet
Total
Total
US
US
US
US
Sedan

Sedan
4-Door
4-Door
2010
2010
2010
2010
50
33
200
67
250
100
Relational Stock Table
7575
45 155
150
200
Model Year
In a traditional relational database, one new element of data may require an entire
new row of data in one to many tables. Looking at the previous screenshot, you can
see that if you need to add stock information on a vehicle, you will need to insert
a new row in the Stock table of your relational database.
In Essbase, that same new piece of data is plugged into the waiting data cell that was
created in the data block, when the database outline was structured or restructured.
You can add a new dimension to the database outline or add new members to an
This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009
8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423
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Chapter 2

[ 37 ]
existing dimension at any time. By adding dimensions to the database outline, you
are actually increasing the size of the data block. When a data block is created by
Essbase, it contains cells for all of the various dimensions whether you have the
data at that point or not. In our example, the data block created by the database
would already contain a cell for stock, even if you did not yet have a value to store
there. When you have a value for stock, it just gets plugged into its data cell and
the size of the database is unaffected.
When you add or remove information from the outline and save the outline,
Essbase will automatically restructure the database and modify the data blocks
(add/remove data cells) to incorporate the new outline information as necessary.
In Oracle Essbase there are two distinct storage options that can be used when
creating a database. These storage options are known as the Block Storage
Option (BSO) and the Aggregate Storage Option (ASO). These storage options
are discussed in greater detail later in this book. For most transactional Essbase
applications, the more suitable of the two options is the BSO. For our example
in this book, we will create an Application|Database using the BSO.
It should be mentioned that the size of the data blocks can have a
dramatic effect on the performance of the system. It is always best to
try and avoid extremely large and complex database outlines. As we
explained previously, the data blocks are structured roughly in relation
to the possible combinations of data based on the number of members in
the database outline.
More members = larger data blocks.
Less members = smaller data blocks.
Oracle Essbase offers an extremely valuable option to help keep block
sizes to a minimum in order to help keep your database running at peak
performance. The dynamically calculated database member!
This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009
8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423

Download at Boykma.Com
Essbase Data and Design Considerations
[ 38 ]
The dynamically calculated member is a measure typically derived from other
data elements in the database. It is not physically stored in the database. Instead,
it is only created (calculated) at the time you ask for it. There are three great
benets for building your database with dynamically calculated members:
1. There is a huge potential to create many new measures without adding
new sources of data or writing expensive programs to derive the values.
2. While the dynamically calculated member occupies a place in the database
outline, it does not affect the block size in the database, therefore, it does
not affect performance.
3. The resultant measure is always accurate to the other measures in the
database and will always tally (the derived number will always equal
the result of the stored component numbers). There is never a question
of "where did this number come from?".
Types of Essbase applications
A nice feature of Oracle Essbase is that it allows you to create high level
umbrella applications under which you can group similar databases.
The similarity in databases means they are either similar in function or purpose.
When we speak of an Essbase application, it must be noted that all
databases are created under an umbrella application. You may have one
or many databases under an application, but you cannot create a database
without a parent application. Likewise, an application is virtually useless
without dependent databases.
Oracle recommends that we have only one database for an application.
The reason for this is that when you restructure a database, the entire
application is locked and you will not be able to perform any other
actions on the application or dependent databases.
This Application|Database structure allows for a more organized layout

and design and also allows for better data and security management.
As mentioned, an Essbase application can be one of two types:
1. Aggregate Storage Option
2. Block Storage Option
Let's discuss them in detail.
This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009
8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423
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Chapter 2
[ 39 ]
Aggregate Storage Option (ASO)
In Essbase 9.x versions, the ASO is also called Essbase analytics. The ASO is most
suitable for the sparser data sets of high dimensionality, allowing a greater number
of dimensions and members. The ASO model is not a replacement for the BSO, but
it is an alternative for the business users depending on the needs of the customer.
In an Essbase Application|Database built using ASO, the data is loaded into the
leaf nodes or lowest levels, but are not aggregated into the upper levels using typical
Essbase
calc and store methods. Rather, they are calculated dynamically on the
y (per user request).
It must also be mentioned that the ASO is best suited as a Read Only application.
It is best used when analysis on large amounts of data is necessary for presentation,
analysis, or reporting purposes.
We will talk more about ASO, and the differences between ASO and BSO, in
Chapter 10.
This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009
8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423
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