Oracle Essbase 9 Implementation Guide- P12:Essbase is a multidimensional database management system. The name Essbase stands for Extended Spread Sheet dataBASE. Using the custom add-in provides the end-user with near seamless compatibility in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program. | Essbase Data and Design Considerations Block Storage Option BSO The BSO is best suited for denser concentrations of data. The BSO also supports write back or update capabilities from Microsoft Excel using the Lock and Send method within the Essbase add-in or from automated batch data load operations. The Essbase add-in has built-in functionality that allows the user to update data directly in the database by simply selecting the Lock and then Send selections from the Essbase add-in menu. When selected the Lock function will lock all the data blocks affected by the range of data contained in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The Send function will then send the data values back to the database. After a successful update the locked data is automatically unlocked. This database model is best suited for Financial Applications where the users can perform complex calculations. In BSO each dimension is tagged as either a dense or sparse data concentration. In a dense dimension the data cubes have the likelihood that all the cells in a data block will be populated with data. In a sparse setting the opposite is true there would likely be empty data cells. For example in your database the Calendar Periods dimension would most likely be a dense dimension since there would be data for most items for each time period. The Market dimension would probably be sparse as chances are that not all of your products are sold in all of the countries. Shown below is a snapshot of the sample BSO application provided with the Essbase installation. You will note as indicated by the pink number in braces that each dimension has a relatively low number of children. As mentioned in the ASO section a BSO database is best suited for moderate amounts of data complexity where features like updatability tend to have a higher priority to the user than high performance. The Essbase server agent installation is equipped to handle multiple applications that can be all ASO all BSO or any mix of ASO and .
