OLAP umbrella: Visualization model for multidimensional databases

Abstract

A good visualization model for Data Warehouse (DW) should be semantically enriched enough so that it can express analytical contents along with the multidimensional data model artifacts to the end-user and decision makers. In this paper the OLAP Umbrella visualization model has been proposed for the purpose. Besides preserving the classical multidimensional data model artifacts and OLAP specific contents, the model has visualization and navigational support for multiple measures associated with multiple facts. Also the proposed visualization model is flexible enough to map from any type of logical level DW schema like star, snowflake or constellation as well as different OLAP operations like Slice, Dice, Roll-up, Drill-Down and Drill-Across can be realized over it. Further, the model can transparently express multiple dimensions and their hierarchies associated with multidimensional database schema along with the related OLAP content in a single structure.