The term is contrasted with online analytical processing (OLAP) which instead focuses on data analysis (for example planning and management systems).
[2] Whereas OLTP is associated with short atomic transactions, OLEP allows for more flexible distribution patterns and higher scalability, but with increased latency and without guaranteed upper bound to the processing time.
An automated teller machine (ATM) for a bank is an example of a commercial transaction processing application.
[3] Online transaction processing applications have high throughput and are insert- or update-intensive in database management.
[4] Reduced paper trails and the faster, more accurate forecast for revenues and expenses are both examples of how OLTP makes things simpler for businesses.
For even more demanding decentralized database systems, OLTP brokering programs can distribute transaction processing among multiple computers on a network.