Benefits of OLAP

	Powerful tools which enable multi-dimensional data analysis – together with drilldown to the particular item(s).
	Flexible architecture, which enables the data views to be changed quickly and dynamically.
	Sophisticated tools for the connecting and processing of the data.
	Standard integration mechanisms, which facilitates the interchange between differing data sources.
	Scalable architectures which are designed for high volume and intricate data manipulation.
	Widely available data – by making the information browser based it can readily be accessed from the companies Intranet or Extranet.

Implementing OLAP

A number of vendors provide OLAP technologies and products each with its own strengths and weaknesses. However, with the dominance of Microsoft’s Excel and products within the client desktop, Microsoft’s OLAP Services have shown to be not only very cost effective but provides seamless integration into the data sources.

Defining the requirement – without question, the first step has to be to agree WHAT information is required and to which level. Creating the OLAP Cubes – Once the data has been identified, it needs to be extracted and incorporated into an internal format which facilitates multi-dimensional data extraction. This is an intensive process as it does require a thorough understanding of the data and its relationships. Once created, the mechanisms for refreshing and updating the data are automated.

Accessing the Data – the two most favoured mechanisms are Excel, which has in-built integration facilities using its Pivot Table features and specific program interfaces. The Excel interface does give considerable power and access but it does not make all the data available which in turn makes it difficult to restrict specific usage. The second mechanism, a program interface such as a WEB Page, has specific queries and reports tailored for a department. The latter is particularly useful as specific reports can be devised, together with audited procedures for data processing and manipulation.

Review and refinement - as the information becomes available, it needs enrichment and further refinements i.e.repeat the above process.

Our offering within OLAP

Every association continues to develop its businesses as quickly and as efficiently as possible. With the ever increasing demand for information and cost reduction, automation can often be the only viable solution. 

However, incorporation of new technology is not simply about installing a piece of software and new hardware. It is time consuming and does require tight project management and qualified resources to ensure that the benefits are quickly realised.

At ILLY we regard our business clients as our partners and to whom we offer a guaranteed service which is based on our three founding principles:

Customers are the reason we exist

Quality is not for compromise

Focus and Delivery are our Strength

As a professional software house, we believe in delivering a production quality solution to our clients using a tried and tested methodology. This includes:

	Clearly understanding the business and technical requirements.
	Recommending business solutions which will meet the requirements and enable future expansion using the most up-to-date technologies.
	Guaranteeing a fixed price and delivery to meet our client's expectations.
	Tailored training and service levels to ensure independent usage of the system

Information Analysis is vital to the associations and will continue to play an increasing role in their viability. We understand both the technology and the analysis process - right from the simple queries through to the more complex modelling of the whole association especially during a merger phase. Our offering is in providing the quality resource to make the information available and offer easy to use tools which will empower and promote the value of the information.

See LINKS OLAP Client for more information.