In the Business Intelligence context, Analysis/OLAP tools refer to:

• Tools used to convert information from a relational database into a what is called a “cube”, in order to facilitate fast and flexible reporting and analysis; as well as
• Front-end tools used to query OLAP cubes.

OLAP tools can be invaluable tools in the decision making process of a business. Unlike traditional reports, OLAP reports are designed to empower users to rapidly and easily analyse and “explore” information in the business, by slicing & dicing, and drilling into information.

Tagra specialises in providing powerful OLAP solutions with the following best-of-breed tools:

COGNOS POWERPLAY AND COGNOS 8

Powerplay, from Cognos, is one of the leading OLAP tools in the market. Cubes with millions of rows of data can be analysed in seconds, allowing users to create reports, slice and dice, and drill, with a virtually instantaneous response.

Key Features:

• Supports the following client interfaces:
• Web Browser
• Windows Client
• Excel
• Drill down, slice & dice, graphical analysis
• Integrates into Cognos Connection (the Cognos portal)
• Thin client architecture
• Easy to user – empowers users to create their own reports with limited training overhead.
• Cognos Transformer provides a graphical interface to allow Administrators to easily design powerful cubes.

Tagra has extensive experience in designing and implementing Powerplay solutions.

MICROSOFT ANALYSIS SERVICES

In recent years, Microsoft has made a very strong entry into the BI market with its extremely powerful OLAP offering, known as “Analysis Services”. This product is packaged with SQL Server, and is available at no additional cost.

This product looks set to dominate the BI market in the future. It offers exceptional power and performance at a low cost, and supports multiple interface methods, with tools already familiar to most users.

Key Features:

• Supports the following client interfaces:
• Excel
• Web Browser
• Other
• Exceptionally fast performance
• Offers high ROI, since no licensing costs additional to SQL Server
• MDX support, to allow complex cube querying
• Windows integrated security model.
• Supports ROLAP, HOLAP, and MOLAP storage options
• Allows write-back.

Using Analysis Services, Tagra is skilled in delivering powerful reporting and forecasting/budgeting solutions.

 

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