multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP)
For the storage of multidimensional data structures, so-called OLAP cubes, there are different techniques: Multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP), Relational OLAP( ROLAP), Hybrid OLAP( HOLAP). In MOLAP, Multidimensional Online Analytical Processing (OLAP), the data is stored completely in the OLAP server.
Both the detailed data and the aggregations of the OLAP structure are stored multidimensionally. I.e. they are stored directly on the OLAP-Sever. After the OLAP cube has been prepared, it is no longer necessary to access the database server.
The graphic shows where the data is located in the different storage techniques.
The three storage techniques have different characteristics:
Multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP) is particularly suitable for multidimensional data with limited scope, for example, if the database already consists of aggregations or if a separate OLAP cube is formed for each country organization.
A special variant of MOLAP is Desktop OLAP( DOLAP).