Analysis Services

Real-Time OLAP

Real-time OLAP provides a multidimensional OLAP view of data that is continually updated as the underlying data changes. Real-time cubes implement real-time OLAP by using ROLAP storage for partitions and dimensions, new SQL Server 2000 indexed views for aggregations, and automatic notification by the SQL Server 2000 relational engine when data changes. Real-time cubes provide the capability to develop new categories of OLAP solutions such as call-center management, stock market analysis, or campaign management. For more information, see Real-Time Cubes.

Linked Cubes

A cube can be stored on a single Analysis server and then defined as a linked cube on other Analysis servers. End users connected to any of these Analysis servers can then access the cube. This arrangement avoids the more costly alternative of storing and maintaining copies of a cube on multiple Analysis servers. Linked cubes can be connected using TCP/IP or HTTP. To end users, a linked cube looks like a regular cube. For more information, see Linked Cubes.

Indexed Views for Aggregations

Indexed views for increased performance and flexibility are used instead of aggregation tables for ROLAP partitions if the partition's source data is stored in SQL Server 2000 and if certain criteria are met. For more information, see Indexed Views for ROLAP Partitions.

Cube Processing

You can use lazy aggregations to make cube data available to end users while aggregations are being calculated. When processing cubes for which the underlying data contains dimension key errors, you can elect to stop processing on key errors, stop processing after a specified number of errors, or ignore all key errors. You can have errors logged to a file for later review. For more information, see Processing Cubes.

Calculated Cells

You can specify formulas that apply to individual cells or to sets of cells in a cube. These formulas can contain conditional calculations that compute a new value for a cell or set of cells based on values in the cell or cells, or on values in other cells in the cube. Calculated cells use Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) expressions and you can specify calculations to be performed in multiple passes. Calculated cells can be used in complex financial modeling and budgeting applications; for example, you can specify a default value such as a percentage of a parent cell if the cell value is zero, or to use the actual value if it is not zero. For more information, see Calculated Cells.

Drillthrough

Client applications that support drillthrough can now allow end users to select a cube cell and retrieve a result set from the source data for that cell. You can use roles to control user access to the drillthrough functionality. For more information, see Specifying Drillthrough Options.

Actions

Actions enable end users to act upon the outcomes of their analyses. An action is a predefined operation that an end user can initiate upon a selected cube or portion of a cube. The operation can start an application with the selected item as a parameter or retrieve information about the selected item. A wizard is provided to help you create actions. For more information, see Actions.

Distinct Count

You can use the new DistinctCount aggregate function to analyze the number of unique occurrences of events or transactions in your data, such as unique users visiting a Web site. For more information, see DistinctCount.

Hidden Cube Elements

You can hide complete cubes, dimensions, levels, measures, or member properties from end users who browse cubes with client applications. The visibility of these objects is controlled by the Visible property. For more information, see Properties Pane (Cube Editor Data View) and Properties Pane (Dimension Editor Data View).

Named Sets

You can create, name, and save sets of dimension members or set expressions in a cube. Client applications can use a named set like a dimension by placing the named set on an axis. For more information, see Named Sets.

Default Measures

Default measures can be specified for each cube and varied by role to control end users' default views of cubes. For more information, see Properties Pane (Cube Editor Data View) and Custom Rules in Dimension Security.

Virtual Cube Editor

This new editor for virtual cubes is similar in function to Cube Editor. Virtual Cube Editor replaces and expands the functionality provided by the Calculated Member Manager Add-in for SQL Server version 7.0 OLAP Services. For more information, see Virtual Cube Editor.