Solap: a New Type of User Interface to Support Spatio-temporal Multidimensional Data Exploration and Analysis

It is well known that transactional and analysis systems each require a different database structure. In general, the database structure of transactional systems is optimized for consistency and efficient updates while the database structure of analysis systems is optimized for complex query performance. Non-spatial data are reorganized in data warehouses in order to support analysis and decision-making. In the same way, spatial data need to be stored in spatial data warehouses to support spatio-temporal decision-making. However, the actual client tools used to exploit the data warehouse are not well adapted to fully exploit the spatial data warehouse. New client tools are then required to take full advantage of the geometric component of the spatial data. GIS are potential candidates but despite interesting spatiotemporal analysis capabilities, it is recognized that actual GIS systems per se are not optimally designed to be used to support decision applications and that alternative solutions should be used (Bédard et al, 2001). Among them, the Spatial OLAP (SOLAP) tools offer promising possibilities. A SOLAP tool can be defined as “a visual platform built especially to support rapid and easy spatio-temporal analysis and exploration of data following a multidimensional approach comprised of aggregation levels available in cartographic displays as well as in tabular and diagram displays” (Bédard, 1997). SOLAP tools form a new family of user interfaces and are meant to be client applications sitting on top of a multi-scale spatial data warehouse. They are based on the multidimensional paradigm. This document presents the concepts of SOLAP, the characteristics of this new type of user interface, and examples related to a few of the many possible application domains. A live demonstration of a SOLAP tool will complete this document.