Hyperion Essbase Review (Oracle)

OLAP REPORT REVIEW: Hyperion Essbase 9.3.1 (Oracle)

Author: Nigel Pendse Released: 2007 Pages: 45 Single User Price: $995 USD An in-depth product evaluation and rating Nigel Pendse reviews the well-known MOLAP, now owned by Oracle. 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. A sample of the numerous specially generated screenshots from this review. Click to enlarge.

Contents: Vendor overview Product commercial issues Pricing Database structure and capacity Aggregate Storage Option Block Storage Option Comparing ASO and BSO Partitioning Essbase Integration Services Architecture and platforms Data access functionality Calculation functionality Reporting flexibility Smart View Web access Visual Explorer Search Automatic detection of exceptions and data mining Time series intelligence Currency support Security and DBMS issues End-user human factors Application building features Hyperion Objects Hyperion Application Builder Performance Conclusions and scores Ask a question about this product? Other customers also purchased: Microsoft Analysis Services SQL Server Review Business Objects Review Applix TM1 Review Email a colleague about this product

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