Forthcoming MicroStrategy Tool To Tap Multidimensional DatabasesForthcoming MicroStrategy Tool To Tap Multidimensional Databases

Business intelligence software maker MicroStrategy said this week that the latest release of its flagship analytics and reporting platform will be able to access multidimensional data sources, such as Microsoft Analysis Services and Hyperion Essbase. MicroStrategy expects to release the software upgrade in the first quarter of this year.

The change means MicroStrategy 8 users will be able to report on, analyze and monitor data held in relational databases and multidimensional sources from SAP, Microsoft and Hyperion. The BI firm hopes the upgrade will help it capitalize on companies' growing desire to standardize on fewer reporting and analysis apps.

"By providing direct access to multidimensional data sources, our customers have added flexibility and functionality to use MicroStrategy across their enterprise," said MicroStrategy COO Sanju Bansal in a prepared statement.

MicroStrategy's Relational Online Analytical Processing engine uses an optimized dynamic SQL capability to access data warehouses. The upcoming release of MicroStrategy 8 will include a Multidimensional Expressions engine, which is capable of tapping into MDX data sources such as Microsoft Analysis Services and Hyperion Essbase.

The MDX engine is built on the XML for Analysis standard. MDX uses a syntax similar to SQL, but whereas SQL is used to query relational tables, MDX is used to query multidimensional cubes, or OLAP databases.