In this step of the wizard, you specify the type of data storage you want to use to store the data and aggregations for a cube or partition.
For more information about data storage choices, see Flexible Data Model.
Select MOLAP (multidimensional OLAP) to store the data for your cube or partition in a multidimensional structure. The aggregations you design for this storage type will also be stored with the multidimensional data.
MOLAP storage provides the potential for the most rapid query response times, depending only on the percentage and design of the cube's aggregations. In general, MOLAP is more appropriate for cubes with frequent use and the necessity for rapid query response.
Select ROLAP (relational OLAP) to keep the data for your cube or partition in the existing relational data store. Aggregations designed for ROLAP will also be stored in the relational database, rather than in a multidimensional structure.
ROLAP query response is generally slower than that available with the other two options. A typical use of ROLAP is for large data sets that are infrequently queried, such as historical data from less recent previous years.
Select HOLAP (hybrid OLAP) to keep the data for your cube or partition in the existing relational data store and your aggregations in a multidimensional structure.
For queries that access summary data, HOLAP is the equivalent of MOLAP. Queries that access base data, such as a drill-down to a single fact, must retrieve data from the relational database and will not be as fast as if the base data were stored in the MOLAP structure. Cubes stored as HOLAP are smaller than equivalent MOLAP cubes and respond faster than ROLAP cubes for queries involving summary data. HOLAP storage is generally suitable for cubes that require rapid query response for summaries based on a large amount of base data.