Large scale databases are easily accessible with Essbase from Hyperion Solutions. The Essbase engine has demonstrated that retrieval of data from large databases can be easily accomplished, through a number of user friendly interfaces. These interfaces not only act as a front end for data retrieval but represent the foundation for application development using Essbase. The primary application development environments are Visual Basic and Excel. Each of these tools has its benefit both operating through a custom developed Essbase API.

The Excel interface has been used to develop spreadsheet based applications. Examples of these are budgeting systems, allocation models and similar applications. In addition, Excel has presented an easy to learn platform for reporting from an Essbase database. Retrieval of data is performed against the Essbase "Dimensions" as defined in the Essbase model. Zooming in or narrowing focus is accomplished by easy to use menu options provided on the Excel menu line. Visual Basic allows for development of a more robust application. Since VB has direct access to Essbase, Excel, and also the Windows operating environment, through their respective APIs, a truly custom application can be developed that combines the best of all environments. As an example of some of the "robust" facilities such an application would have:

• Overall VB driver application that would incorporate all sub-functions and linkages
• VB can be used to enforce integrity around the input of data into the Essbase model. Combining the Essbase "Dimension" and a relational database, complete logging of modifications to source data can be tracked.
• VB can link to Excel for manipulation of source data in a modeling environment.
• VB can be used to input calculations and define required ratios, automatically generating 'calc' scripts.
• VB can be used to schedule automatic updates to the database. These may be scheduled in advance, and perform unattended. Initiated from a client machine, a secure log-on to the Essbase database can be accomplished even though the machine is unattended. This is accomplished by means of interacting with the client and host Windows environments.
• Finally VB can be used as a driver for accessing Excel for reporting from the completed database. Predefined report spreadsheets may be "packaged" and accessed through a VB front end.

PCS has been developing Essbase applications using these concepts and strategies. The speed of application development is only exceeded by the speed of data calculations and retrieval from the engine itself.