Introduction to Essbase <Course name> <Lesson number> - 1

<Course name> <Lesson number> - 2 Objectives After completing this lesson, you should be able to: Explain multidimensional analysis and the benefits of multidimensional databases Identify Essbase components and architecture Explain the Essbase development cycle Discuss the two Essbase business scenarios used in this class Describe the setup and development interface for the training environment <Course name> <Lesson number> - 2

About Multidimensional Analysis The fast, efficient exploration of business data across multiple perspectives. January gross sales for all products and all customers in the current year <Course name> <Lesson number> - 3

Avoiding Pitfalls of Spreadsheet-Based Analysis Analysis based on multiple spreadsheets presents hurdles. Data integrity suffers because of user errors or stale data. Validating spreadsheet reports wastes time and resources. Centralized database presents a single version of the truth. Two spreadsheets prepared by different users show two different totals. Which one is correct? <Course name> <Lesson number> - 4

Providing Business Perspective Multidimensional analysis uses a database that is structured on business concepts and that is designed around business needs. Accountant Region manager Multidimensional database Product manager Financial analyst <Course name> <Lesson number> - 5

<Course name> <Lesson number> - 6 Appealing to Analysts Analysts prefer to view multidimensional data in cubes, rather than in relational tables. Selection (slice and dice) Aggregation (roll up) Navigation to more detailed data (drill down) Visualization operations (pivot) Relational table Data cube Product Time Sales Lightbolt Jan 166 Feb 182 Thunderball 131 149 Jan Feb Lightbolt 166 182 Thunderball 131 149 1 measure: Sales 2 dimensions: Time, Product <Course name> <Lesson number> - 6

<Course name> <Lesson number> - 7 About Essbase Financial consolidation and reporting Customer and profitability analysis Sales tracking and analysis Product line analysis Customize Report Essbase Develop Planning and budgeting Executive information systems (EIS) Administer Performance and variance reporting <Course name> <Lesson number> - 7

Administration Services Console Essbase Architecture Administration Services Console Essbase Studio APIs MaxL Smart View Client Tier Middle Tier Provider Services Administration Services Essbase Studio Server Database Tier Essbase Server Essbase cube RDBMS <Course name> <Lesson number> - 8

Administration Services Client Tier APIs for developing customized user interfaces A command-based tool (MaxL) for performing batch loading and maintenance during off-peak hours Smart View for performing data retrieval, report design, and low-volume data updates Administration Services Console and Essbase Studio for administering the Essbase environment and building cubes Administration Services Console Essbase Studio APIs MaxL Smart View <Course name> <Lesson number> - 9

<Course name> <Lesson number> - 10 Middle Tier Provider Services for handling data retrieval and submission requests between Smart View and Essbase Server. Administration Services for coordinating development and administration tasks between Administration Services Console and Essbase Server. Essbase Studio Server for handling modeling and deployment activities during cube development in Essbase Studio. Provider Services Administration Services Essbase Studio Server <Course name> <Lesson number> - 10

<Course name> <Lesson number> - 11 Database Tier Essbase Server (where Essbase cubes are stored) Relational databases that support the Essbase environment: Repositories (log file analysis, metadata catalog) Relational data files (sources of data and metadata) Essbase Server Essbase cube RDBMS <Course name> <Lesson number> - 11

Essbase Cube Development Cycle Design & build Essbase cube Designing an Analytic Services database is a cyclic process that typically moves from a planning stage to verification stage. The process includes the following basic steps: Build MDB: In this step you determine the information needs that the database must satisfy. You identify source data, user information, and access needs. As a result of this step, you design the database outline that determines the structure of the database. Load Data: After an outline and security plan are in place, you load the database with test data to enable the later steps of the process. Calculate: In this step, you test the consolidations in the outline and write and test formulas and calculation scripts for specialized calculations. Report and verify: Users access data through reports and spreadsheets. In this step, you design the report layouts and run the reports. You also verify with users whether the database satisfy the analytic goals. If the initial database design requires fine tuning, you repeat the cycle. Report & verify Load data Calculate & aggregate Copyright © 2003 HP corporate presentation. All rights reserved 12

Essbase Business Scenarios and Training Environment In the classroom using a single machine, you build an Essbase cube for each of two fictitious companies, each with its own analytical needs. For Bigcorp Corporation, you build a predesigned Essbase cube through a series of classroom exercises. For Country Kitchen Desserts, you design and build an Essbase cube by completing a case study. Designing an Analytic Services database is a cyclic process that typically moves from a planning stage to verification stage. The process includes the following basic steps: Build MDB: In this step you determine the information needs that the database must satisfy. You identify source data, user information, and access needs. As a result of this step, you design the database outline that determines the structure of the database. Load Data: After an outline and security plan are in place, you load the database with test data to enable the later steps of the process. Calculate: In this step, you test the consolidations in the outline and write and test formulas and calculation scripts for specialized calculations. Report and verify: Users access data through reports and spreadsheets. In this step, you design the report layouts and run the reports. You also verify with users whether the database satisfy the analytic goals. If the initial database design requires fine tuning, you repeat the cycle. Bigcorp Corporation Country Kitchen Desserts Copyright © 2003 HP corporate presentation. All rights reserved 13

Business Scenario: Bigcorp Corporation Bigcorp Corporation, a high-tech manufacturer of hard disk drives, recently purchased Essbase. Bigcorp has designed—but not yet built—a multidimensional analysis system for analysis and reporting. It needs you to build an Essbase cube that enables analysis in three functional areas: Finance (costs and revenues) Manufacturing (volume) Sales (product and customer) Designing an Analytic Services database is a cyclic process that typically moves from a planning stage to verification stage. The process includes the following basic steps: Build MDB: In this step you determine the information needs that the database must satisfy. You identify source data, user information, and access needs. As a result of this step, you design the database outline that determines the structure of the database. Load Data: After an outline and security plan are in place, you load the database with test data to enable the later steps of the process. Calculate: In this step, you test the consolidations in the outline and write and test formulas and calculation scripts for specialized calculations. Report and verify: Users access data through reports and spreadsheets. In this step, you design the report layouts and run the reports. You also verify with users whether the database satisfy the analytic goals. If the initial database design requires fine tuning, you repeat the cycle. Bigcorp Corporation Copyright © 2003 HP corporate presentation. All rights reserved 14

Business Scenario: Country Kitchen Desserts Country Kitchen Desserts (CKD), an international food services company, is growing at a fast pace. CKD needs you to design and build an Essbase database that focuses analysis on cost containment during a period of expected growth. Analysis will be heaviest in the following areas: Finance (income statement and variances) Sales (region, salesperson, product) Designing an Analytic Services database is a cyclic process that typically moves from a planning stage to verification stage. The process includes the following basic steps: Build MDB: In this step you determine the information needs that the database must satisfy. You identify source data, user information, and access needs. As a result of this step, you design the database outline that determines the structure of the database. Load Data: After an outline and security plan are in place, you load the database with test data to enable the later steps of the process. Calculate: In this step, you test the consolidations in the outline and write and test formulas and calculation scripts for specialized calculations. Report and verify: Users access data through reports and spreadsheets. In this step, you design the report layouts and run the reports. You also verify with users whether the database satisfy the analytic goals. If the initial database design requires fine tuning, you repeat the cycle. Country Kitchen Desserts Copyright © 2003 HP corporate presentation. All rights reserved 15

Training Environment: Setup Bigcorp Administration Services Administration Services Console Provider Services CKD Essbase Server Smart View <Course name> <Lesson number> - 16

Training Environment: Developer Interface Interface for Essbase developers and system administrators Object window Navigation frame Message frame Administration Services Console <Course name> <Lesson number> - 17

Quiz Select the correct description of an Essbase cube. Presentation Title Quiz Select the correct description of an Essbase cube. A multidimensional matrix that facilitates analysis from many perspectives A collection of related dimensional tables that are analyzed using SQL queries A three-dimensional data view, similar to an Excel workbook with multiple worksheets A metaphor for relational data storage Answers: 1

Presentation Title Quiz Essbase is multidimensional database software optimized for both operational and financial analysis. True False Answer: 1

Presentation Title Quiz Select the correct order of steps for creating a production Essbase database. A. Analyze data B. Create a database C. Calculate data D. Load data D, C, A, B A, C, B, D B, D, C, A C, B, A, D Answer: 3

<Course name> <Lesson number> - 21 Summary In this lesson, you should have learned to: Explain multidimensional analysis and the benefits of multidimensional databases Identify Essbase components and architecture Explain the Essbase development cycle Discuss the two Essbase business scenarios used in this class Describe the setup and development interface for the training environment <Course name> <Lesson number> - 21