Hybrid Online Analytical Processing (HOLAP)

Definition - What does Hybrid Online Analytical Processing (HOLAP) mean?

Hybrid online analytical (HOLAP) is the combination of relational online analytical processing (ROLAP) and multidimensional online analytical processing (MOLAP). It supports both storage formats and therefore provides advantages from both processes. HOLAP was developed to put an end to the "which is better?" debate by combining the data capacity of a ROLAP and the processing capability of a MOLAP.

Techopedia explains Hybrid Online Analytical Processing (HOLAP)

Because hybrid OLAPs enable the use of various combinations of the two OLAPs, they basically store data in both a relational database and a multidimensional database. As a result, the decision to access one of the two databases depends solely on which is best suited for the desired processing type or application. This provides much more flexibility when handling data. For heavy data processing, the data is stored in a relational database, while for theoretical processing, the data is stored in a multidimensional database.

This approach is beneficial in the following situations:

If there are volumes of data that cannot be handled by one multidimensional database.
If there are instances of performance bottlenecks whenever data is being accessed from a server.
If there is a need to use existing summarized and arranged data sources.