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An OLAP Report Review: Hyperion Essbase 9.3.1

Product Type: Market Research Report
Published by: BARC
Published: September 2007
Product Code: R3485-15
Description
Formerly a market-leading product, Hyperion Essbase is now under new ownership and looks like becoming Oracle's primary OLAP server. This review covers Essbase 9.3.1, the first new release since the acquisition of Hyperion Solutions by Oracle in April 2007.

Compared to the modest enhancements in version 9.0, version 9.3 is arguably a more significant release with new features including:
  • Support for SAP R/3 as a direct data source, using BAPI.
  • Support for bulk data loading from Teradata using the TelAPI API
  • Much improved time handling
  • Slowly changing attributes over all dimensions (not just time)
  • Trickle feed data into ASO partitions, with no down-time for cube reprocessing
  • Support for free-form search, using either Google OneBox or Oracle Secure Enterprise Search.
  • The XML for Analysis adapter was brought into line with Analysis Services 2005.
With ASO (the Aggregate Storage Option) now firmly established in Essbase and further enhanced in version 9.3.1 reviewed here, the issues of oversized databases and long pre-calculation times which blighted Hyperion in the past appear to have been overcome. As a consequence, Essbase looks to be in a much stronger position to compete in the marketplace.

In addition to a detailed evaluation of the server product, this review includes coverage of add-ins including Smart View, Hyperion’s new generation Microsoft Office integration module, and Visual Explorer (OEM'd from Tableau).

The findings and conclusions from this review by Nigel Pendse, OLAP Report lead analyst, will enable you to compare the product not only against other big integrated BI vendors such as Cognos and Business Objects, but other potential options in the marketplace..

Please note: The report file is password protected. Password will be delivered with PDF file. The PDF file may not be saved, however, one hard copy may be printed.
Table of Contents
    1. Vendor overview

    2. Product commercial issues

    3. Pricing

    4. Database structure and capacity

    5. Aggregate Storage Option

    6. Block Storage Option

    7. Comparing ASO and BSO

    8. Partitioning

    9. Essbase Integration Services

    10. Architecture and platforms

    11. Data access functionality

    12. Calculation functionality

    13. Reporting flexibility

    14. Smart View

    15. Web access

    16. Visual Explorer

    17. Search

    18. Automatic detection of exceptions and data mining

    19. Time series intelligence

    20. Currency support

    21. Security and DBMS issues

    22. End-user human factors

    23. Application building features

    24. Hyperion Objects

    25. Hyperion Application Builder

    26. Performance

    27. Conclusions and scores
Ordering and More Information
Price and Delivery Options


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