Q&A

Q: What is the difference between Palo and Mondrian/Pentaho?
A: Mondrian is a ROLAP server, Palo is a MOLAP server. Read more about the differences between ROLAP and MOLAP at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROLAP and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOLAP

None of the two concepts is better or worse than the other. ROLAP and MOLAP are simply different concepts, each with its particular strengths and weaknesses.

If you want to analyse very large datasets stored in SQL databases, you are probably better off with a ROLAP solution. If you are in the field of planning and simulation, or if you do a lot of number crunching with MS Excel or have a need for write-back and real-time consolidation/calculation than you should have a look at Palo.

Q: Is Palo a server-based or a local solution?
A: Both! Palo runs offline on a local server on your personal computer or on a network server with many simultaneous clients connected to it.

Q: Which operating systems are supported by the Palo Server?
A: Primarily Linux and Windows.

Q: Is there a 64-bit version of the Palo Server available?
A: The source for 64-bit version for the current Palo version is available on SourceForge. Please compile it for the 64-bit platform of your choice.

Q: Is Palo designed for Microsoft Excel only?
A: No, with the availability of the Java, .Net, PHP and C programming interface, Palo can be integrated in many different applications.

Q: What does the Excel Add-in exactly do?
A: The Excel Add-in connects Microsoft Excel with Palo and allows to store and read Palo data in Excel. No Palo data is stored in Excel Workbooks.

Q: How can I import data from MySQL, SQL Server and Oracle?
A: The Palo Excel-Add-in includes a highly flexible ODBC import/export functionality. In addition you can use the Palo libraries and build a stand-alone tool by yourself. Or use a third-party tool, e.g. Cubeware Importer, which is an high-end ETL tool.

Q: What is the roadmap for Palo?
A: Please follow this link.

Q: Is there support for Palo?
A: Yes. There are yearly support subscriptions available for Palo. Please check this link. Also try the Palo Forum, it is a valuable source for free support.

Q: Is there a programming API for Palo Server?
A: Yes, there is a .Net-, PHP-, Java- and C-API available for download.

Q: With Palo Server under the GPL license, is there also a commercial license for Palo that allows redistribution of Palo with commercial software products?
A: Yes, please contact info@palo.net for further information.

Q: What is licensing model of Palo Server and Add-in if I like to use Palo commercially?
A: You can use Palo (both: Server and Add-in) free of charge, even if you use it commercially. Only if you are a software vendor and want to redistribute Palo commercially, you have to buy a so-called OEM license.

Q: Who is behind Palo?
A: Palo is sponsored by Jedox AG. Jedox develops and markets Worksheet Server, which is an Excel-to-Web solution with support for Palo-enabled Excel Workbooks.

Q: In which language is Palo written?
A: Palo Server is based on C and C++. The Palo Excel Add-in is based on .NET.