Most people think EPM is just for numbers. But a true Architect knows how to store 'Pass/Fail' or 'December 25th' using Typed Measures.
1. The Definition: Non-Numeric Data
By default, Essbase stores numbers (doubles). Typed Measures allow us to change the 'type' of a member to handle different kinds of information.
* Text Measures: Linked to a 'Text List'. The user sees words (e.g., 'Completed'), but the system stores a small ID number behind the scenes.
* Date Measures: Stored in a specific format that allows the system to perform 'Date Math' (e.g., calculating days between two milestones).
2. The "Report Card" Example
Imagine a student's record:
* Numeric: 95% (Math Score).
* Text Measure: 'Distinction' (Grade). You pick this from a dropdown list.
* Date Measure: 'June 15th' (Exam Date).
Why is this cool? You can write a script that says: "If Grade is 'Distinction', then apply a 10% Scholarship to the Tuition number." You are using text to drive math!
3. How it is useful while building an application
* Project Tracking: Essential for tracking 'Start Dates' and 'End Dates' alongside project costs.
* Approval Workflows: Storing statuses like 'Submitted', 'Under Review', or 'Approved' directly in the data intersection.
* User Experience: In Smart View, users don't have to remember codes; they just pick from a list of words.
4. Where we use these concepts?
* Text List Objects: Created in the Essbase Administration Services (EAS) or Jet UI to define your word-to-number mappings.
* Member Properties: Changing the 'Data Type' property of a member from 'Currency' or 'Non-Currency' to 'Date' or 'Text'.
* Calculations: Using the '@MEMBER' or '@DATE' functions to perform logic on these non-numeric cells.
5. Extra Information: The Storage Secret
Architecture Tip: Because Text Measures store an index (a simple integer) instead of the actual words 'In Progress', they take up almost zero extra space in your Data Block. It is a 'High-Performance' way to add commentary to your cube!