About Aggregate Storage Cubes

Consider using Essbase aggregate storage (ASO) cubes if data in your business is large and sparse, and requires frequent aggregation, but not so frequent updates.

This topic explains how calculation and query considerations of your data model might lead you to select aggregate storage option (ASO) for your Essbase database.

Consider using aggregate storage if the following is true:

• Your cube is sparse and has many dimensions, and/or the dimensions have many levels of members.

• The cube is used primarily for read-only purposes, with few or no data updates.

• The outline contains no formulas except in the dimension tagged as Accounts.

• Calculation of the cube is frequent, is based mainly on summation of the data, and does not rely on calculation scripts.

Note the applicability of the following elements for aggregate storage cubes:

• MDX—Used for querying on block storage and aggregate storage cubes. Additionally, MDX numeric-value expressions can be used for developing formulas on aggregate storage outlines. For more information, see Aggregate Storage and MDX Outline Formulas.

• Calculation commands—Not supported, because calculation scripts are not relevant to aggregate storage.

• Calculation functions—Not relevant to aggregate storage cubes. Instead, MDX formulas can be written using MDX numeric-value expressions. Only the Accounts dimension can have formulas in aggregate storage cubes.