OLAP

Online analytical processing, or OLAP is an approach to answer multi-dimensional analytical queries. OLAP is part of the broader category of business intelligence which also encompasses relational reporting and data mining. The typical applications of OLAP are in business reporting for sales, marketing, management reporting, business process management(BPM), budgeting and forecasting, financial reporting and similar areas. Database configured for OLAP use a multi-dimensional data model, allowing for complex analytical and ad-hoc queries with a rapid execution time. They borrow aspects of navigational databases and hierarchical databases that are faster than relational databases.