SSAS 101 with SQLBangalore User Group

Another wonderful event by SQLBangalore User group, this time, it was with SQL Server Analysis Services. Yesterday, 02^nd March, 2013, Bangalore SQL enthusiastic met again to lean about SQL Server Analysis Service. The event was @ Signature Building, Microsoft. My exposer to SSAS is very limited, thus, it was a great learning experience all together.

Start your journey with Multidimensional using SSAS

The first session was about Multidimensional using SSAS by Sudhir Rawat (Microsoft).  Points to note down are:

• We need de-normalised data for Analysis services.
• Analysis database contains fact tables and dimension tables
• If fact table size grows, maintenance will take longer and the performance will be reduced
• Tabular Mode in new in SQL Server 2012
• SQL Server Data Tool is introduced in SQL Server 2012 (Previously known as Business Intelligent Development Studio)
• Analysis database can be used with Reporting Service

Introduction to Cubes

The second session was on Introduction to Cubes by Deepthi Anantharam (Technology Evangelist, Microsoft). Few points, which I noted down during the session are:

• Cube is a combination of dimensions and measures
• Hierarchies are of two types:
  • Natural Hierarchies
  • Un-Natural Hierarchies
• OLAP are of three types:
  • R-OLAP (stands for Relational OLAP)
  • M-OLAP (stands for Multi-dimensional OLAP)
  • H-OLAP (stands for Hybrid OLAP)
• Partition contains portion of data from a fact table
• Different partitions can have different aggregation strategies
• Partitions can be processed separately
• Three new Buzz words in SSAS world:
  • DAX
  • xVelocity
  • Tabular Model

Introduction to SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services – Tabular Mode

The third session was done by Karan Gulati (Microsoft). ABCD ..M was really awesome

• ABCD .. M stands for Any Body Can Develop … Model
• Three flavours for Analysis Service
  • Multi-dimensional and data mining
  • SharePoint and Power Pivot
  • Tabular Model
• About Tabular Model
  • In memory database or xVelocity
  • Based on Relational Methodology
  • Column Oriented databases

BI with SharePoint

The surprise speaker started his session on BI with SharePoint. Few takeaways are:

• Difference between data and information? Processed data is information
• To share data/documents on SharePoint Server, use any of the following tools:
  • Reports
  • Dashboards
  • Excel Workbooks
  • Analytics Values
  • Scorecard
• Three types of Service Applications
  • Visio Service
  • Excel Service
  • PerformancePoint Service
• Slicers are advanced filters

Additional Resources

• Analysis Service Tutorials http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh231701.aspx
• Hardware Sizing of Tabular Solution Whitepaper http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj874401.aspx
• xVelocity http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh922900.aspx
• Tabular Model http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-in/library/hh212945.aspx

To attend the future events, join SQLBangalore User group

• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/SQLBangalore/
• Twitter http://twitter.com/sqlbangalore
• Hash tag http://twitter.com/#SQLBangUG

Happy Learning

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