Loading Non-Financial Data in Essbase

Question

I am new to Essbase and would some help understanding how I would load non-financial data into Essbase. The specific type of data that I'm looking to report on is from a university, reporting on the number of students that fall into various categories. I consider that this project would be similar to an employee reporting application. The project was originally implemented using OBIEE, but I was wondering how it could be done in Essbase.
Thanks for any help,
Mark

Answer 1

My recommendation is to model the database in excel with the following restrictions:
1) Use a single data grid (per sheet) with consistent "dimensions" for rows and columns, and an overall "header" to represent the entire set if more than one sheet is needed.
2) Establish subtotals and totals with any appropriate formulas kept as simple as possible (i.e. SUM(range)).
3) Use unique, meaningful names for all headers.
This is an oversimplification, but if you can model your database this way, you will have a direct baseplate to use when creating the database in Essbase. You may have to make some changes, but you'll have a good start.
A suggestion on the initial dimensionality based on what you said:
- Accounts
- Students
- Classes
- Categories
- Periods
If you can put a pivot table together with the data, you are nearly done already (well, mostly).