Nowadays, practically all organizations can’t but accept big data streaming and processing as the most valuable resource to profit in their business. Due to data mining and handling companies are able to apply analytics and collect vital insights for forecasts and future strategies. Such technologies as OLAP and OLTP are especially helpful here.

OLTP and OLAP are online processing systems to operate data of business environment. In this article, we are going to describe each system and its function whereupon you will see a comparison of both.

What is OLAP?

First of all what are those technologies about? Let’s try to figure it out together and define OLAP and OLTP first.

If you refer to the definition of OLAP, you will find out that it is short for Online Analytical Processing. This technology analyzes a large amount of data kept in a data warehouse. In OLAP environment all the data performed in multidimensional cubes, enabling users to detail, consolidate, and rotate it so that to see it from various perspectives and analyze trends.

OLAP software architecture includes two basic components:

• OLAP server: provides data storage, performing the necessary operations on it and the formation of a multidimensional model at the conceptual level.

• Online analytical processing client: presents the user with an interface to the multidimensional data model, providing him with the ability to conveniently manipulate data to perform analysis tasks.

The procedure of filling the OLAP system from the source systems takes place by using ETL (extract-transform-load). These actions simplify the data management and simultaneously reduce the absorbed effort. MDX queries can be small, but mostly they are rather extensive and need much time to accomplish. Aggregated incoming OLAP queries accommodate all data of a specific subset. So users are able to analyze trends, averages, aggregations, etc. OLAP applications are exploited by techniques for Data Mining most often. OLAP database allows to set up the data by the criterion as the user wants it to be visualized.

OLAP is usually divided into 3 types: MOLAP, ROLAP, and HOLAP. MOLAP which is a multidimensional online analytical processing is a standard type of OLAP and is often mentioned as OLAP itself. ROLAP takes its name from “relational” as it operates specifically with relational databases. HOLAP is a hybrid and the difference between this OLAP database and relational database as well as between multidimensional is that it aims to unite advantages of both MOLAP and ROLAP.

However, it’s better once to see then hear for one hundred times. So let’s now take a closer look at the example of OLAP and OLTP.

Example of OLAP

A simple example for a user would be an array containing data of the sales depending on territory and gender. The MDX query, in this case, would look the following way:

SELECT
 
NON EMPTY VISUALTOTALS(HIERARCHIZE(HIERARCHIZE([Employee].[Gender].Levels(0).Members)), '* - Total**') DIMENSION PROPERTIES PARENT_UNIQUE_NAME, HIERARCHY_UNIQUE_NAME, CUSTOM_ROLLUP, UNARY_OPERATOR, KEY0, MEMBER_TYPE ON 0,
 
NON EMPTY VISUALTOTALS(HIERARCHIZE(HIERARCHIZE([Sales Territory].[Sales Territory Country].Levels(0).Members)), '* - Total**') DIMENSION PROPERTIES PARENT_UNIQUE_NAME, HIERARCHY_UNIQUE_NAME, CUSTOM_ROLLUP, UNARY_OPERATOR, KEY0, MEMBER_TYPE ON 1
 
FROM
 
[Adventure Works]
 
CELL PROPERTIES BACK_COLOR, CELL_ORDINAL, FORE_COLOR, FONT_NAME, FONT_SIZE, FONT_FLAGS, FORMAT_STRING, VALUE, FORMATTED_VALUE, UPDATEABLE, ACTION_TYPE

What is OLTP?

Continuing introduction to OLAP and OLTP we are moving to the second technology definition.

OLTP is generally compared to OLAP as both of the systems operate data. OLTP is short for Online Transaction Processing, which is typically marked by far less complex queries which are conducted in a larger volume. OLTP is to process a big number of online transactions, though short, in real time dealing with such kinds of queries as Read, Insert, Update and Delete.

The main goal for OLTP systems is to conduct rapid query processing, storing data integrity in multi-access environments. The efficiency is determined by a number of transactions per second. In order to conduct vast series of successful transactions in OLTP system, those transactions have to be atomic, consistent, isolated, and durable (ACID).

Example of OLTP

A query selects all issues owned by a user with ID=1 with statuses 'Resolved', 'Published', 'Closed', 'Done', sorts them, groups them by projects, and displays their number.

SELECT tab2.`key` AS project_key, tab1.`status` AS issue_status, COUNT(*) AS t_count
FROM jira_issues AS tab1
LEFT JOIN jira__project AS tab2 
    ON tab1.project_id = tab2.id
WHERE tab1.user_assigne = 1
    AND tab1.`status` IN ('Resolved','Published','Closed','Done')
GROUP BY project_key, tab1.`status`
ORDER BY project_key

Advantages and disadvantages of OLAP and OLTP

The next question is why are those systems so popular? Let advantages of OLAP and OLTP speak for themselves.

However, despite all the possible issues system can cause, advantages of OLAP and OLTP are higher than reasons to refuse of their using. Moreover, in some cases advantages of OLAP over OLTP are in greater number.

What about integration?

The frequent question business users ask: is the use of OLTP and OLAP on same server possible? The answer is yes, it is possible especially in such case as integration of OLAP and OLTP in ERP. However, it is important to take into account all possible challenges such integration can cause:

• OLAP database queries are often complex and time consuming. Direct access to the OLTP database significantly reduces the overall performance of the operating system;

• OLTP database does not store data in an aggregated, denormalized form, which is necessary for rapid analytical processing. Thus, OLTP to OLAP conversion of data during the execution of queries is too time consuming;

• Information for the past periods is lost when the OLTP database is updated (when new, up-to-date data is written into it). This impedes the implementation of time trend analysis, which is so important for many business areas;

• As a rule, there is no single enterprise-wide data model. In addition, when designing databases for an accounting system, different data models can be used (hierarchical, relational, object-oriented, flat files, “proprietary” models).

Difference between OLAP and OLTP databases

OLTP vs OLAP systems are in constant confrontation. As we have already mentioned OLTP handles transactions while OLAP serves as reporting for business intelligence. Whereas OLAP systems are mostly streamlined for reading, OLTP has to manage various kinds of queries: read, insert, update and delete. If OLTP needs to preserve transactions accuracy and integrity, it's not the purpose of OLAP. OLAP has a smaller group of users (executives, data scientists, marketers, managers) than OLTP systems and its interactions last longer. OLTP must be fast and sustained to mainstream plenty of transactions at a time, while OLAP ought to be large and powerful enough to encompass all relevant business data.

To define which system is better for you we need to compare characteristics of OLAP and OLTP. So let’s take a look at the difference between OLAP and OLTP in tabular form:

As you can see, it is hard to say what is better OLTP or OLAP. It is all depends on your requirements and purposes of use. Talking about similarities of OLAP and OLTP both systems are aimed at daily business processes improvement and simplification.

How to get OLTP and OLAP systems?

We have already touched upon OLAP and OLTP definitions, pros and cons, difference between systems. Now it’s high time to know where to buy those great systems. Meet the list of top vendors and applications of OLAP and OLTP improvement:

1. Micro Strategy

An enterprise analytics software that helps in decision-making and business improvements. Suggests forecasting and advanced analysis, real-time reports, SaaS, Big Data solutions.

2. IBM Cognos

Interactive BI tool for sharing and analyzing data through the enterprise. Allows creating reports and dashboards.

3. Ranet OLAP

A ready-to-use OLAP tool for reporting, analyzing, forecasting. Enables users to create reports of any complexity, so it can be utilized by different categories of specialists. Ranet OLAP offers free 30-day trial, thus you can try OLAP software and make a choice for free.

4. Hadoop

Apache Hadoop is a group of software tools aimed to assist in the progress of computer problem-solving processes. The modules of Hadoop are developed with an idea that hardware breakdowns are commonplaces which should be managed by the framework. The frequent question is about possibility to work with OLAP and OLTP in Hadoop. However, Hadoop is more related to OLAP technology and combination of these systems leads to the number of business improvements.

5. MySQL

The world's most popular open source database. Due to its proven performance, reliability and ease of use, the MySQL database is most commonly used for web applications.

Thread: OLAP and OLTP interview questions

Our OLAP and OLTP tools discussion is slowly moving to the end. However, before drawing the bottom line, we’d like to highlight the top questions users ask regarding the systems:

What are OLAP and OLTP?

OLAP or Online Analytical Processing is a technology that analyzes a large amount of data kept in a data warehouse. In OLAP environment all the data performed in multidimensional cubes, enabling users to detail, consolidate, and rotate it so that to see it from various perspectives and analyze trends.

OLTP stands for Online Transaction Processing, which is typically marked by far less complex queries which are conducted in a larger volume. OLTP is to process a big number of online transactions, though short, in real time dealing with such kinds of queries as Read, Insert, Update and Delete.

What is the difference between OLAP and OLTP?

As we’ve already mentioned OLAP database vs OLTP are in frequent contradiction. Let’s finally draw the line between them. The core differences between OLTP database and OLAP database are:

• OLTP handles transactions while OLAP serves as reporting for business intelligence;
• Whereas OLAP systems are mostly streamlined for reading, OLTP has to manage various kinds of queries: read, insert, update and delete;

• If OLTP needs to preserve transactions accuracy and integrity, it's not the purpose of OLAP;

• OLAP has a smaller group of users (executives, data scientists, marketers, managers) than OLTP systems and its interactions last longer. OLTP must be fast and sustained to mainstream plenty of transactions at a time, while OLAP ought to be large and powerful enough to encompass all relevant business data.

Which system is better?

The answer is neither. To be precise, OLTP and OLAP databases have a bit different purposes:

• OLAP purpose is to analyze the business. It helps in decision-making, forecasting, planning, problem solving;
• OLTP purpose is to run the business, it helps in business tasks management

So, as you can see it all depends on your needs.

Is it possible to implement OLAP and OLTP together?

Yes, it is possible, but can cause some difficulties as the databases are different and do not complement each other. One of them will be blocked. Besides the following difficulties can be caused:

• Direct access to the OLTP database significantly reduces the overall performance of the operating system;

• OLTP to OLAP conversion of data during the execution of queries is too time consuming;
• Information for the past periods is lost when the OLTP database is updated (when new, up-to-date data is written into it).

How to transfer data from OLTP to OLAP?

There are two basic concepts:

• Full synchronization: this method synchronizes data from the entire table to the corresponding OLAP table each time;

• Incremental synchronization: this procedure synchronizes the changed data with the corresponding OLAP table each time.

Conclusion

OLTP is a system to modify data online whilst OLAP is an online multidimensional data retrieval system, which extracts the data that can help in business to analyze the performance, develop strategies and make decisions. OLTP system is a provider of data for OLAP environment. The systems are functional to different objectives but both of them help deal with a big amount of data. OLAP is up to let you figure out places, time and reasons your clients buy, foresee market tendencies and future requirements thanks to data mining and analysis, whereas OLTP can grant your clients with personalized loyalty programs and provide them with a credible service.