Page 110 - DCAP208_Management Support Systems

Unit 7: Business Analytics and Data Visualization

A cube is a multi-dimensional structure consisting of dimensions and measurements. Cells are Notes
the points where dimensions intersect and contain the measurements.
Dimensions provide the context for analysis which are used for labels on reports and selection
criteria for queries. Dimensions answer questions like:
Who (customers, employees, partners, ...)

When (year, quarter, month, ...)
What (products, contracts, ...)
Where (state, zip code, territory, ...)
How (method, process, formula, ...)
Cells supply quantitative information. Cells answers questions like:

How many (customer count, inventory count, ...)
How much (revenue amount, budget amount, ...)
An atomic measurement is one that is stored at the lowest level, such as an individual sale or a
single receipt of goods. The benefit of atomic data is that it supports detailed analysis and atomic
data can be summed as needed. The drawbacks of atomic data are that it takes more space to
store and it requires time to aggregate into totals for analysis.
Aggregated data is a summation of atomic data.

Example: Sales by quarter and rejects by month are aggregations.
The benefit is that query and analysis time are reduced. The drawbacks are that analysis detail
can be lost and it is difficult to predict which aggregations the analyst will want to use.
Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
4. ........................... is a method of using multidimensional databases to support quick reporting,
frequently involving trend-analysis.

5. ........................... OLAP works similar to the relational database as and store the information
in the form of rows and columns in the particular sequence serialized by address.
6. ........................... OLAP divides the total data between the relational database and the
specialized storage area for storing important data elements.
7. ........................... is used to judge the performance of almost any analytical application over
time.
8. An ........................... is one that is stored at the lowest level, such as an individual sale or a
single receipt of goods.

7.3 Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

GIS refers to three integrated parts.
Geographic: Of the real world; the spatial realities, the geography.
Information: Data and information; their meaning and use.

Systems: The computer technology and support infrastructure.

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