In this article, we will learn about the key differences between Operational Data Store (ODS) and InfoCube (IC) in SAP BW (Business Warehouse).
ODS and Data Warehousing
An Operational Data Store (ODS) is a data store designed to store data at a granular level with overwriting capability. Data in ODS is organized in two-dimensional tables.
Features of ODS
- The main purpose of ODS is to store operational data in detail.
- ODS also serves as an intermediate storage area for operational data within the data warehouse. It contains highly granular data and is based on flat tables.
- ODS objects are used to upload control data for update or transfer routines, providing an option for data retrieval.
- ODS is primarily used for detailed operational data storage.
- Data is typically staged in ODS before being sent to other data warehouses, such as InfoCubes, for reporting.
- ODS is frequently utilized in real-time operational processes.
InfoCube and Multidimensional Data
InfoCube is based on multidimensional modeling, allowing reporting on different dimensions. Data is stored in an aggregated form without overwriting capability, enabling multi-dimensional reporting and analysis.
Features of InfoCube
- InfoCube is a multidimensional data container for analysis and reporting. It follows a star schema with a fact table and associated dimension tables.
- Common dimensions in InfoCubes include unit and time. They consist of various types like basic and remote InfoCubes.
- InfoCube facilitates complex reporting and analysis using OLAP (Online Analytical Processing).
- Data aggregation enhances query performance at the expense of detailed data.
Key Differences ODS vs IC
- ODS is used for consolidating data and typically contains detailed data.
- InfoCubes are optimized for reporting, offering performance-enhancing options like aggregates and compression.
- ODS allows overwriting or adding single records, while InfoCubes only adds records without replacing them.
- InfoCubes supports reporting and analysis on multiple dimensions.
- ODS can have up to 16 info objects as key fields, while InfoCubes have a star schema structure with fact and dimension tables.
Conclusion
In summary, ODS and InfoCube serve distinct purposes within data warehousing. ODS is suited for operational data storage and detail reporting, while InfoCube facilitates multidimensional analysis and reporting based on aggregated data.