Sounds like you need a Data Warehouse for your reporting needs.
Using a multi-dimensional db model (star schema) you can de-normalize your data and create an easy to use reporting database to allow your customers to access.
Most of the time your customers will not need up to the minute real time statistics; so you can use a multitude of ETL (Extract Transform Load) tools available to 'load' your warehouse each night, only loading the data they need to see.
You can save space by aggregating your data and any modern fast sql db can be used to store the warehoused data (MySQL, PostgreSQL if you want to save some money).
You can then set user perms on that separate database and it makes reporting MUCH easier.
Makes it really easy to design cubes (ie Mondrian), create easy to query reports, and it reduces the load on your transactional db servers.
There are many resources for building warehouse and data marts (Oracle Warehouse builder, Pentaho (open source), etc)
Using 'slowly changing dimensions' methodology, you can track changes to your data as well without bloating your transactional db servers (say your customer changes mailing addresses, product price changes,etc).
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Sounds like you need a Data Warehouse for your reporting needs. Using a multi-dimensional db model (star schema) you can de-normalize your data and create an easy to use reporting database to allow your customers to access. Most of the time your customers will not need up to the minute real time statistics; so you can use a multitude of ETL (Extract Transform Load) tools available to 'load' your warehouse each night, only loading the data they need to see. You can save space by aggregating your data and any modern fast sql db can be used to store the warehoused data (MySQL, PostgreSQL if you want to save some money). You can then set user perms on that separate database and it makes reporting MUCH easier. Makes it really easy to design cubes (ie Mondrian), create easy to query reports, and it reduces the load on your transactional db servers. There are many resources for building warehouse and data marts (Oracle Warehouse builder, Pentaho (open source), etc) Using 'slowly changing dimensions' methodology, you can track changes to your data as well without bloating your transactional db servers (say your customer changes mailing addresses, product price changes,etc).