Dimensions Dimensions: Fact table and the relevant dimension tables of an InfoCube are connected with one another

relationally using the dimension keys. The dimension key is provided by the system per characteristic combination in a dimension table.

With the execution of a query the OLAP processor checks the dimension tables of the InfoCube to be evaluated for the characteristic combinations required in the selection. The dimension keys determined in this way point the way to the information in the fact table. Dimension tables consist of a maximum of 248 characteristics. The Time dimension holds the time characteristics needed for analysis. The Unit dimension contains the unit of measure and currency characteristics needed to describe the key figures properly.

The Data Packet dimension is used to identify discrete packets of information loaded into the InfoCube. In this way, packets can be deleted, reloaded or maintained individually InfoCubes are made up of a number of InfoObjects. All InfoObjects (characteristics and key figures) are available InfoCube-independently. Characteristics relate to master data with their attributes and text descriptions. An InfoCube consists of several InfoObjects and is structured according to the star schema. This means there is a (large) fact table that contains the key figures for the InfoCube as well as several (smaller) dimension tables which surround it. The characteristics of the InfoCube are stored in these dimensions. An InfoCube fact table only contains key figures, in contrast to an ODS object, whose data part can also contain characteristics. The characteristics of an InfoCube are stored in its dimensions. The dimensions and the fact table are linked to one another via abstract identification numbers (dimension IDs), which are in the key part of the particular database table. As a result, the key figures of the InfoCube relate to the characteristics of the dimension. The characteristics determine the granularity (the degree of fineness), in which the key figures are managed in the InfoCube. Characteristics that logically belong together (district and area, for example, belong to the regional dimension) are grouped together in a dimension. By adhering to this design criterion, dimensions are to a large extent independent of each other, and dimension tables remain small with regards to data volume, which is desirable for reasons of performance. This InfoCube structure is optimized for Reporting.