BI-Blend is a “read-only” aggregate storage model that supports large-volume reporting for data that is not appropriate to store in a traditional Cube. BI Blend data is large in volume and often transactional. For example, to analyze data by invoice, a standard cube requires metadata to store the data records. Soon, most of the invoice metadata would not be needed given the transactional nature of the data. Therefore, storing transaction data in a Cube design is not a best practice.
A key challenge of reporting on transactional data is presenting data in a uniform format for standardized reporting, while flexibility supporting ever changing records and reporting requirements. The overall large size of the data sets requires a model suitable for responsive reporting and analysis.
The BI Blend solution approaches these challenges in a unique and innovative way. BI Blend rationalizes source data for uniform and standardized reporting, like the Standard Cube models, but stores the data in a new relational column store table for responsive reporting.
Use BI-Blend to analyze large volumes of highly changing data, such as ERP system transaction data, which typically would not reside in a Cube. Processing is free from the intensive audit controls within a traditional Consolidation Cube, such as managing calculation status.
Key Elements of BI Blend
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Flexible for change
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Fast Aggregation (through data as Stored Relational Aggregation)
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Single Reporting Currency translation
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Leveraged Metadata, Reporting and Integration tools
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Non-Cube, executed to a relational table optimized for reporting on large data sets by storing results in a column store index
For more information, see the BI Blend Design and Reference Guide.
