Managing Data Consistency in Hybrid Analysis

When you create a Hybrid Analysis relational source, the data and metadata are stored and managed in the relational database and in the Essbase database:

Because data and metadata exist in different locations, information may become out of sync.

Essbase depends upon the OLAP Metadata Catalog in Integration Services to access the Hybrid Analysis relational source. At Essbase database startup time, Essbase Server checks the number of dimensions and members of the Essbase outline against the related metaoutline.

Changes made to the associated OLAP model or metaoutline during an Integration Services session are not detected by the Essbase Server until the Essbase database is started again. Undetected changes can cause data inconsistency between the Essbase database and the Hybrid Analysis relational source.

If changes are made in the Hybrid Analysis relational source, and members are added or deleted in the OLAP model or metaoutline, such changes can cause the Essbase outline to be out of sync with the metaoutline on which it is based. These types of changes and their effect on the hierarchical structure of a dimension are not reflected in the Essbase database until the outline build and data load process is completed through Integration Services Console.

In Administration Services, the Restructure Database dialog box has a check box that enables a warning whenever a restructuring affects an outline containing a Hybrid Analysis relational source. Such a problem occurs, for example, if members with relational children are moved or deleted.

Warnings are listed in the application log. You should decide whether the warnings reflect a threat to data consistency. To view the application log, see Viewing the Essbase Server and Application Logs.

The Essbase administrator has the responsibility to ensure that the Essbase multidimensional database, the relational database, and the Integration Services OLAP model and metaoutline remain in sync. Administration Services and Integration Services Console provide commands that enable the administrator to perform consistency checks and make the appropriate updates.

See Ensuring Data Integrity and Optimizing Database Restructuring.