OLAP Spreadsheet Add-in User's Guide for Excel

Typical Users of Hyperion Essbase

Hyperion Essbase is designed for use in many different applications. Financial analysts have found Hyperion Essbase to be invaluable in budget analysis, currency conversion, and consolidation. Cost accountants apply the powerful capabilities of Hyperion Essbase to evaluate allocation and elimination scenarios. Product managers and analysts use Hyperion Essbase to plan and analyze multiple product lines and distribution channels. Hyperion Essbase can also be used as a repository database for spreadsheet data. Anyone who uses a spreadsheet is a potential user of Hyperion Essbase.

Because Hyperion Essbase is applicable to such a broad variety of environments, individuals using it at your organization may fill one or more roles in implementing and running applications. This guide refers to specific roles by three titles. However, in actuality, a role may be performed by one person or by several people working collaboratively.

• Hyperion Essbase system administrator. The Hyperion Essbase system administrator typically has experience in networking, installing software packages, and administering system functions. In addition to installing the Hyperion Essbase software, the Hyperion Essbase system administrator may also set up Hyperion Essbase user accounts, set up the security system, and maintain Hyperion Essbase OLAP Server.
• Application designer. The application designer sets up the Hyperion Essbase database, creates the database outline, and develops calculation and report scripts. The responsibilities of the Hyperion Essbase system administrator and the application designer may overlap in some areas. The application designer has probably developed spreadsheet or database applications and understands the operational problems and the tools being employed to solve them.
• User. The user interacts with Hyperion Essbase databases through spreadsheets, using Microsoft Excel for Windows or Lotus 1-2-3. Users are typically analysts and managers who use spreadsheet programs as their primary tool for viewing and analyzing data.