Adapting on-line analytical processing for decision modelling: the interaction of information and decision technologies

The introduction of new technologies and concepts has redefined the relativ e positioning of information systems (IS) and decision technologies in a co rporate context, Corporate IS have been extended to include not only transa ction processing databases but also analytical databases, often known as Da ta Warehouses. On-Line analytical processing (OLAP), as introduced by Codd et al. [E.F. Codd, S.B Codd, C.T. Salley, Providing On-Line Analytical Proc essing to User-Analysts: An IT Mandate, E.F. Codd and Associates, 1993], is capable of capturing the structure of the real world data in the form of m ultidimensional tables which are known as 'datacubes' by management informa tion systems (MIS) and statistical systems specialists. Manipulation and pr esentation of such information through multidimensional views and graphical displays provide invaluable support for the decision-maker. We illustrate the natural coupling, which exists between data modelling, symbolic modelli ng and 'What if' analysis phases of a decision support system (DSS). In par ticular, we explore the power of roll-up and drill-down features of OLAP an d show how these translate into aggregation and disagreggation of the under lying decision models. Our approach sets out a paradigm for analysing the d ata, applying DSS tools and progressing through the information value chain to create organisational knowledge, (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.