# OLTP and OLAP [OLAP vs. OLTP: What's the Difference?](https://www.ibm.com/cloud/blog/olap-vs-oltp) > OLAP is optimized for conducting complex data analysis for smarter > decision-making. OLAP systems are designed for use by data scientists, > business analysts and knowledge workers, and they support business > intelligence (BI), data mining and other decision support applications. > > OLTP, on the other hand, is optimized for processing a massive number of > transactions. OLTP systems are designed for use by frontline workers (e.g., > cashiers, bank tellers, hotel desk clerks) or for customer self-service > applications (e.g., online banking, e-commerce, travel reservations). <!-- vi:set tw=64 cc=64: -->