And with CRM and clickstream analysis , data warehouses are becoming enormous. Not only are you tracking all the customer orders, support calls, and sales force prospecting activities, now you need to analyze every click that Web surfers make on your web site so that you can determine their shopping and buying patterns. Plus you need real-time updates. Multidimensional databases have constraints on the number of dimensions and volume of data they can support before build and load times become intolerable. Data warehouse users obtain immediate answers to their queries, with no limit to the number of dimensions or criteria they can specify.
Multidimensional queries require multidimensional indexes for optimal performance.
See graphic for comparison. Fast, dynamic data aggregations, with fast indexed access back to underlying detail data, and without the need to build or maintain numerous summary tables. Unequaled access times through efficient indexes that simplify database design and optimize your investment in hardware. Transparent integration with your existing access tools via ODBC, such as Microsoft Access or Excel, BusinessObjects, Impromptu, BrioQuery, and MicroStrategy's DSS Agent. Reduced need to constantly tune database for specific queries, which typically yields minimal or short-lived results.