For decision support, multidimensional databases beat relational databases in speed, size, and structure. The structure of a multidimensional database, or cube, is superior to a relational table for analysis because the cube's dimensions are hierarchical. These hierarchies mirror the business entities and relationships between entities that you want to analyze. For example, companies usually organize time by fiscal calendar, products by product families, and customers by regions or sales channels. Business analysts can navigate this structure intuitively.

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