What is a good free/open source alternative to WebFOCUS?
Is there an ASP.NET way of getting info from an OLAP cube?
Update: I chose Magnus Smith's answer as the correct one, but Alexmac's answer was also very good!
+1
A:
I am not aware of free analytical suite. But what is it you are trying to accomplish?
You can query an OLAP cube by using MDX queries with ADO.net.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144785.aspx
You can then bind the results to a datagrid for example. MDX is a little like SQL but be careful as it has several syntax differences. I think Excel has a query tool you can use to graphically construct your queries which can be helpful.
On a related note look into SQL reporting services. With SQL express you can use a cut down version of sql reporting services that may accomplish what you are looking to do.
alexmac
2008-09-28 08:14:02
Thank you very much for your answer. Reporting services is something that we've looked into, but we also need Report Builder - to enable our users to build their own reports on demand. We need them to be able to do that on the web - is that possible using ADO.net?
Lea Cohen
2008-09-28 09:14:28
SQL reporting services also includes a report builder component that allows user to build their own reports. This is only in the full version of SQL through. Take a look at: http://www.developer.com/db/article.php/3520116
alexmac
2008-09-28 12:14:56
If you want to show OLAP data on the Internet (as opposed to an intranet) you need a 'web-facing' licence for SQL Server I believe, which adds to the cost.
Magnus Smith
2010-03-04 16:26:58
+1
A:
Watch out, MDX is horrible - nothing like SQL even though it looks like it is.
You can get a .NET control to show OLAP data on a web page. Our company tested one from Dundas that was OK. I never got involved though so I don't know if it was brilliant or merely serviceable. http://www.dundas.com/Gallery/Chart/NET/index.aspx?ImgGroup=OLAP
We gave up on SQL Reporting Services as it was not suitable for Internet usage (fine on Intranet though).
Magnus Smith
2008-10-20 18:31:48
I don't think Dundas do a free version, other than one that can only be used for evaluation purposes.
Tim C
2008-10-22 13:45:11