OBJECTIVES:
This course provides lecture and hands-on technical training on how to use Show Case Essbase, a component of the Show Case Suite from SPSS. The course begins with an introduction to the concepts and terminology of multidimensional data structures and a discussion of the basics of multidimensional database design.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This course is intended for new users and data administrators who need to understand the basic concepts and functionality of Essbase for developing and managing a multidimensional database on an iSeries (AS/400) system
PROGRAM TOPICS:
Overview of Essbase and Multidimensionality:
- Describe the business need for transforming data into information.
- Describe the Essbase product and its functionality.
- Discuss the concept of multidimensionality.
- Describe the process for creating an Essbase database.
- Identify and compare the types of storage options available for Essbase databases.
Basics of Outline Design:
- Describe how to implement Essbase within your corporation.
- Define some common terminology used in Essbase.
- Describe the structure of an Essbase database.
- Explain how to structure dimensions, members, and attribute dimensions in an Essbase outline.
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exercise.
Building a Block Storage Outline:
- Describe the features that are unique to block storage:
- The Time dimension
- Dynamic Time Series
- Formulas
- Expense reporting and variance calculation
- Shared members
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exercise.
Optimizing a Block Storage Outline:
- Describe the structure of a block storage database.
- Identify some techniques for improving performance when loading data and calculating the database.
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exercise.
Loading Data in Block Storage:
- Identify the ways to load data into a block storage database.
- Describe how to load data from a spreadsheet using the Lock and Send function in the Essbase add-in menu.
- Describe how to load data from an SQL source using an Essbase rules file.
- Identify some common errors that can occur during a data load.
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exercise.
Calculating a Block Storage Database:
- Describe a database calculation.
- Describe the process for calculating the database.
- Describe the various options for calculating the database.
- Discuss why it is important to validate the data in the database after the calculation.
- Identify some methods for accessing data in the database for review purposes.
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exercise.
Building an Aggregate Storage Outline:
- Identify the features unique to the Aggregate Storage Option:
- Dimensions (more, sparse)
- Label only members
- Formulas and MDX
- Database restructuring
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exercise.
Loading Data in Aggregate Storage:
- Describe the methods available for loading data into an aggregate storage database.
- Discuss some general considerations for loading data.
- Discuss some special considerations for performing incremental loads.
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exercise.
Aggregating an Aggregate Storage Database:
- Define aggregation.
- Describe the phases of the aggregation process.
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exercise.
Automating the Essbase Build Process:
- Identify the processes for automating the build for each type of database.
- Describe how to use Warehouse Builder to automate the build for a block storage database.
- Review some examples of commands to use in a CL program to automate the build for a block storage database.
- Describe how to use MaxL to automate the build for an aggregate storage database.
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exercise.
Managing the Essbase Environment:
- Describe how to set Essbase security to manage access to applications and databases.
- Describe how to manage users and groups.
- Describe how to work with database filters.
- Describe how to define and use a substitution variable.
- Perform selected tasks in a lab exe
WORKSHOP STYLE:
A mixture of short presentations, interactive discussion, individual exercises and group work. The emphasis throughout is on a practical approach using case material and examples
