System and method for processing and/or analyzing olap based data according to one or more parameters

Abstract

A system and method for processing a base vector derived from data stored in an OLAP cube. The system comprises a component configured for defining a base vector and a comparison vector, wherein the comparison vector comprises one or more dimensions corresponding to dimensions of the base vector. The system includes a component configured for defining a time scope associated with the base vector. The system further comprises a component configured for performing one or more analysis operations on the comparison vector to generate comparison values and a component configured for rendering the base and comparison vectors. According to another aspect, the system includes a component for altering or modifying individual data cells in the base vector and/or parameters associated with the base vector and/or analysis operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for processing a base vector derived from data in an OLAP database, said system comprising:
 a component configured for defining the base vector, the base vector having a time dimension and one or more other dimensions;   a component configured for defining a comparison vector and selecting one or more dimensions for said comparison vector wherein said selected one or more dimensions correspond to one or more dimensions of said base vector;   a data analysis engine, said data analysis being configured to apply one or more analysis operations to said comparison vector and modify the base vector according to said one or more analysis operations; and   a component for rendering said base vector.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a component for configuring a time scope for the base vector. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said time scope includes a periodicity parameter, and said comparison vector being defined with the same periodicity as the base vector. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said analysis operations includes one or more of a delta operation and a delta percentage operation. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein component for rendering comprises a component configured to display the base vector and said comparison vector in a graphical format, wherein the base vector comprises a plurality of data cells and said comparison vector comprises a plurality of data cells having a periodicity corresponding to the data cells of the base vector. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein one or more of said plurality of data cells are selectively modifiable. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 6 , further including a component configured for performing an adjustment operation on values in one or more of said data cells, and said adjustment operation comprising one of an adjust by amount operation, an adjust by percentage operation, an inflate by percentage operation, a discount by percentage operation, and an interpolate operation. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said component for configuring and said component for rendering comprise elements in a graphical user interface, and said component for rendering comprises a display window having a grid display mode and a chart display mode. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method for analyzing a base vector comprising data from an OLAP database, said method comprising the steps of:
 configuring the base vector wherein the base vector comprises a time dimension and one or more other dimensions;   configuring a comparison vector and selecting one or more dimensions for said comparison vector wherein said selected one or more dimensions correspond to one or more dimensions of the base vector;   applying one or more analysis operations to said comparison vector and modifying the base vector according to said one or more analysis operations; and   rendering the resulting base vector.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method as claimed in  claim 9 , further including the step of configuring a time scope for the base vector. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said time scope includes a periodicity parameter, and said comparison vector being defined with the same periodicity as the base vector. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said analysis operations includes one or more of a delta operation and a delta percentage operation. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said step of rendering comprises displaying the base vector and said comparison vector in a graphical format, wherein the base vector comprises a plurality of data cells and said comparison vector comprises a plurality of data cells having a periodicity corresponding to the data cells of the base vector. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein one or more of said plurality of data cells are selectively modifiable. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method as claimed in  claim 14 , further including the step of performing an adjustment operation on values in one or more of said data cells, and said adjustment operation comprising one of an adjust by amount operation, an adjust by percentage operation, an inflate by percentage operation, a discount by percentage operation, and an interpolate operation. 
     
     
         16 . A computer program product for processing a base vector comprising data from an OLAP database, said computer program product comprising:
 a storage medium configured to store computer readable instructions;   said computer readable instructions including instructions for,   defining the base vector wherein the base vector comprises a time dimension and one or more other dimensions;   defining a comparison vector and selecting one or more dimensions for said comparison vector wherein said selected one or more dimensions correspond to one or more dimensions of the base vector;   applying one or more analysis operations to said comparison vector and modifying said base vector according to said one or more analysis operations; and rendering the resulting base vector.   
     
     
         17 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said instructions for rendering the resulting base vector comprise generating a display window for a graphical user interface and said display window having a grid display mode and a chart display mode. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein in said grid display mode the base vector and said comparison vector comprise a plurality of data cells and the plurality of data cells for comparison vector have a periodicity corresponding to the data cells of the base vector. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein one or more of said plurality of data cells are responsive to an input device and are selectively modifiable. 
     
     
         20 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 19 , further including executable instructions for performing an adjustment operation on values in one or more of said data cells, and said adjustment operation comprising one of an adjust by amount operation, an adjust by percentage operation, an inflate by percentage operation, a discount by percentage operation, and an interpolate operation.