OLAP stands for On-Line Analytical Processing and uses multidimensional data analysis techniques. What are its charcteristics?

		OLAP is very expensive to purchase, complicated to install (without vendor support), and is difficult to learn to use.
		Once in place, OLAP tools provide support for client / server architecture.
		During installation and roll out, OLAP tools have easy to use for end user interfaces.
		Business end users can apply multidimensional data analysis techniques using OLAP tools.