In IBM Cognos Framework Manager, it is possible to design ROLAP models that behave like a cube to the end user. With the introduction of columnar databases like DB2 BLU or Cloudera Impala, the speed is there to support on request aggregations.
The ROLAP model would translate the MDX queries into SQL via the modelling in Information Designer. This way, hierarchies and measures only have to be modelled once and users could just select the Information Links to use them in their reports.