A system and method for processing a group and aggregate query on a relation are disclosed. A database system determines whether assistance of a heterogeneous system (HS) of compute nodes is beneficial in performing the query. Assuming that the relation has been partitioned and loaded into the HS, the database system determines, in a compile phase, whether the HS has the functional capabilities to assist, and whether the cost and benefit favor performing the operation with the assistance of the HS. If the cost and benefit favor using the assistance of the HS, then the system enters the execution phase. The database system starts, in the execution phase, an optimal number of parallel processes to produce and consume the results from the compute nodes of the HS. After any needed transaction consistency checks, the results of the query are returned by the database system.