AN INTERVIEW WITH YOSSI CASPI, CEO OF HyperRoll
by Tim Staub, assistant editor

DSstar: What is HyperRoll?

CASPI: Well, the message we are sharing during our Launch celebration at TDWI is simple: HyperRoll turns today's data into today's decisions. What that means for the DBA is: They now have a tool for aggregating data in minutes instead of hours - while using their existing database. For the management level, this means they get mission-critical information in their hands faster than ever before. This gives them the tools for their business intelligence initatives.

In terms of a product definition, HyperRoll is a high performance data aggregation and calculation caching engine and storage vehicle for relational and multidimensional databases. HyperRoll addresses the need for fast data aggregation both in build time and query performance with an easy plug-and-play transparent solution.

HyperRoll is what we like to call a "plug and play;" it actually plugs in into a database, dramatically enhancing performance with minimum installation and implementation effort. HyperRoll requires no tuning; which I'm sure will brings cheers from over-worked DBA's everywhere. HyperRoll is completely transparent to end users and client applications. In relational databases HyperRoll looks and behaves exactly like a standard summary table.

DSstar: What products does HyperRoll offer?

CASPI: We offer two basic packages. The Data Warehouse Suite is suitable for relational based data warehouses and data marts. The OLAP Suite is suitable for the multidimensional OLAP servers and applications. These offerings address the widest range of users and applications that can benefit from HyperRoll technology. A third package exists but it is more of a technical API for developers of OLAP systems.

DSstar: What are the benefits of using HyperRoll?

CASPI: The key benefit is the "hours to minutes" reduction in aggregation time. One of our customers experienced a reduction in aggregation time from ten hours to twenty minutes. The strategic impact on their management, sales and international operations was profound; they were able to incorporate key information into their daily operations on a timely basis.

Now, what that means from a nuts and bolts perspective, is this:

HyperRoll provides such benefits as faster ad hoc query performance; seamless integration to the database while being completely transparent to applications; no tuning or definition of indexes or summary tables; easy maintenance, thanks to a single standard view that behaves like a summary table.

HyperRoll also provides more control of the aggregation process. The process can be managed by various predefined parameters such as storage and time. Finally, a larger scope of analysis, better productivity and better decision support, which enhances customer satisfaction.

All of this is also very easy to install and use; in many cases, HyperRoll is operational within one day of installation.

DSstar: Who is the HyperRoll customer?

CASPI: The HyperRoll technology benefits any company that is currently using or planning to build a system to query and analyze any volume of data and require fast build time and query time performance. HyperRoll meets the needs of any company demanding better online performance information availability and a broader scope of analysis.

DSstar: How long does it take to implement HyperRoll?

CASPI: In a word - fast! The installation process of HyperRoll is really very quick and easy, ranging from 2-3 hours to one week, depending on the complexity of the existing data module. The average installation can be completed in less than one day.

DSstar: What databases are supported?

CASPI: We support most databases, including Oracle and Microsoft relational and multidimensional databases.

DSstar: What platforms are supported?

CASPI: HyperRoll supports Windows NT/2000 and selected UNIX platforms. Current UNIX support includes SUN Solaris, HP UX and Linux. Soon we will support IBM AIX.

DSstar: Is HyperRoll an OLAP server?

CASPI: No. HyperRoll can handle multidimensional existing OLAP servers. HyperRoll seamlessly integrates with the system to provide fast aggregation.

DSstar: Is HyperRoll simply another database?

CASPI: No. HyperRoll is really a strategic tool for companies trying to manage the deluge of data coming at them. HyperRoll allows a company to extract maximum performance out of their existing database or datawarehouse, without expensive or time-consuming replacements or upgrades (and of course, no tuning). HyperRoll's data aggregation and calculation caching engine is, we feel, the quick, easy and economical answer to the DBA's mandate to support his or her company's demand for faster delivery of mission-critical data.

Contact Pam Abrahamsson, The Stephenson Group, 805-772-3601 x15, pabrahamsson@stephensongroup.com.