OLAP--online analytical processing--is a method that allows users to extract data from a database and turn it into information that can be used for making business decisions. The OLAP process is an interactive one, and it allows organizations to view their data strategically so that they can make predictions about the future in addition to understanding their history. The OLAP Council provides a technical introduction to OLAP at www.olapcouncil.org/research/whtpaply.htm. This white paper on OLAP defines the concept, outlines who uses it and why, and reviews the key features required for OLAP software. You can also find OLAP and OLAP server definitions at the OLAP Council Web site, www.olapcouncil.org/. In "Three Routes to OLAP" at datamation.earthweb.com/dataw/LABS.html Datamation reports on its performance test of the three main OLAP software tools: Arbor Software's Essbase, Pilot Software's Lightship, and IRI Software's Express. This article should give you a good idea of what OLAP tools can and cannot do. The OLAP Report at www.olapreport.com/ provides market analyses, product reviews, and case studies.