Comparison of functions between IMP:Palo and Cubeware Importer
(*) Available in Cubeware Importer, but not in the freeware version IMP:Palo
- Ultramodern graphical user interface based on Microsoft Office® 2003® and Microsoft Visual Studio® Intuitive and easy to learn with icons, assistants, component tabs and context-sensitive toolbars.
- Automated import Low personnel requirements, on-time data provision, low follow-up costs. (*)
- Simultaneous integration of many data sources Distinct time savings. Plausibility checks and data consolidation across data sources .
- Access to all current relational databases High level of integratability.
- Support of several OLAP target databases Openness and wide range of application. (*)
- Unicode-enabled Can handle data in all the world's character sets simultaneously.
- Visual import mapping Multidimensional structures and complex import processes can be modeled without programming effort.
- Integrated script language Individual fine-tuning of import definitions. Complex calculations, data cleaning processes and plausibility checks can already be performed at the import stage.
- Scripting debugger Scripts can be executed in debug mode.
- Graphical SQL query builder integrated into mapping and scripting Complex, multi-table SQL for browsing and retrieval from data sources can be compiled by simple point & click.
- Automatic support of many SQL syntax dialects e.g. Microsoft Access®, SQL Server, Oracle, DB2 or SAP. Problem-free use of different SQL dialects and databases. Also text sources (CSVs) and spread-sheets are addressable via SQL.
- Integrated BAPI support Direct use of SAP BAPI functions as Importer data sources (only together with Cubeware Connectivity for SAP® Solutions). (*)
- Result set objects Direct and complete processing of SQL queries and their results in scripts and mapping.
- Lookup objects Wide range of options for the validation, replacement, transformation and enrichment of input data. With lookup reference to fixed lists (static lookup), database tables (dynamic lookup) or already existing OLAP cubes and dimensions (cube or dimension lookup).
- Expression objects Various options for calculating input values (numeric expressions), editing input fields (string expressions), adjusting date values (date expressions) or formats (date format).
- Filter objects For filtering and separation of input data streams using logical conditions (e.g. domestic/foreign or postcode).
- Normalizer Splitting of parallel incoming values in an input result set for the serial cell notation necessary in OLAP databases.
- Integrated modeling of dimensions and cubes of target databases A single tool for both modeling and import into all OLAP databases supported by Cubeware.
- Building of dynamic dimensional hierarchies and multiple hierarchies Automatic allowance for data structures contained in the input data.
- Manual building of dimensional structures and levels Establishment of fixed structures for dimensions.
- Assistant for the simple building of time dimensions Fast creation of deeply nested time structures such as years, quarters, months, weeks and days with freely selectable date formats.
- Definition and writing of attribute values for dimensional structures For saving of additional information in dimensional structures, e.g. of speaking element names, addresses or descriptions.
- Cube definition by drag & drop Fast selection of required dimensions.
- Setting up cube rules Creation and management of database calculation rules - either static by rule editor or dynamic, e.g. from a text file. (*)
- Weighting of elements Automatic calculation of variances or weighted accumulated values.
- Automatic generation of subsets and named sets in the target database Creation of pre-selected quantities or Top 10 lists during data import. (*)
- Creation or removal of elements in subsets Useful e.g. for automatic adjustment of rolling time periods. (*)
- Definition of measures Modeling of measures and values integrated in Cubeware Importer.
- Writing of cell data in a cube, by overwriting or additive Use of OLAP database capabilities.
- Incremental import of dimensions and values Instead of always importing all data, values and dimensional elements for a precisely defined range, e.g. a period, can be clearly delimited.
- Post-processing of data in cubes (iterative) Incremental updating of data.
- Selective deletion of sub-areas of a cube Tidying up without new import.
- Copying sub-areas of cubes (e.g. from Plan 1 to Plan 2) Automatic transposition of data - without new import.
- Assignment of authorization levels Password protection for import definitions, scripts and mappings.
- Remote console Import jobs released for remote control can be launched via a remote console with password protection. (*)
- Mapping object »Logging« Supports the output of Cubeware Importer mapping results into text files.
- Import job scheduling Setting of run times and run date, intervals and repeats for jobs. (*)
- Import job attributes Information about log-on data; error and timeout handling; logging. (*)
- Notification of administrators by e-mailInformation about successful, faulty or failed import of data. (*)
(*) Available in Cubeware Importer, but not in the freeware version IMP:Palo
Get IMP:Palo NOW as freeware
Make a start with IMP:Palo and see for yourself its capabilities for data import and in setting up multidimensional OLAP data structures. The current version supports Palo versions 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 and runs until December 31st 2010.
Go to the Download Center for freeware download
And if you're looking for even more, simply migrate to the tool the professionals use: Cubeware Importer.
Your import definitions are retained and you have a wealth of new functions available to you, such as job scheduling, automated import, the option of running imports as a service and, of course, support for a variety of different OLAP destination databases (not just Palo).
