Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2005 Analysis Services Step by Step (Step by Step (Microsoft)) [Paperback]

Reed Jacobson (Author), Stacia Misner (Author), Hitachi Consulting (Author)

Book Description

Series: Step by Step (Microsoft) | Publication Date: April 26, 2006

Teach yourself the fundamentals of SQL Server Analysis Services—one step at a time. With this practical, learn-by-doing tutorial, you get the guidance you need to build flexible and powerful solutions that meet the analytical needs of your organization.

Discover how to:

• Start building cubes using the Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Business Intelligence designers
• Create dimensions and measure groups to build, browse, and modify OLAP cubes
• Design objects to handle unique financial analysis requirements
• Improve query performance with aggregations and user hierarchies
• Customize cubes with multi-dimensional expressions (MDX) and other advanced design techniques
• Use actions to integrate Web pages, reporting applications, and drillthrough capabilities with cubes
• Manage role-based security and restrict data access
• Deploy and maintain a database in a production environment

CD features

• All practice exercises and answer files
• Fully searchable eBook

A Note Regarding the CD or DVD

The print version of this book ships with a CD or DVD. For those customers purchasing one of the digital formats in which this book is available, we are pleased to offer the CD/DVD content as a free download via O'Reilly Media's Digital Distribution services. To download this content, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to [e-mail].

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The popular STEP BY STEP approach provides hands-on guidance to beginning-level programmers and those new to SQL Server 2005. A sequential, learn-by-doing tutorial, this book covers key features and techniques of Analysis Services to help programmers harness the full power of SQL Server 2005. The companion CD includes data sets and sample code.

Key Book Benefits:

• Delivers step-by-step instruction about how to install, enable, envision, create, and share analytical models based on SQL Server 2005 data stores

• Provides hands-on exercises that help develop proficiency quickly—based on data stores and examples provided on the enclosed CD

• Features expertise from Hitachi Consulting, which creates specialized SQL Server–based data solutions for corporate customers

• STEP BY STEP is ideal for anyone with a basic understanding of SQL Server

About the Author

Reed Jacobson is a senior architect in Hitachi Consulting’s Business Intelligence practice. He has authored several training courses and books, including Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services Step by Step.

Stacia Misner manages the development of training solutions for business intelligence and enterprise reporting at Hitachi Consulting. She’s written numerous books, including Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Step by Step.

Hitachi Consulting, a division of Hitachi Ltd., is a global business and IT consulting firm serving Fortune 2000 companies. It is a leader in developing corporate training and custom solutions for Reporting Services

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (April 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735621993
• ISBN-13: 978-0735621992
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Computers & Technology > Databases > Data Mining
  • #94 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Development > SQL Server

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Quick Overview of the Essentials, September 10, 2007

By 

Random Feature "Random Feature" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2005 Analysis Services Step by Step (Step by Step (Microsoft)) (Paperback)

This book is centered on its step by step instuctions which demonstrate the features of Analysis Services. It is best to follow the instructions by performing them in Visual Studio. I had no trouble installing the database using the CD-Rom as provided by Safari which includes an MDF file and SQL script.

A postitive is that there is very little fluff in this book, it lists the steps and explains the concepts without going into great detail. In fact, I would prefer a little more explanation of what's going on under the hood, but at the same time it is nice not to get bogged down in a large highly detailed book. This is a good introduction to Analysis Services but will not make you an expert.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I'm shocked, June 23, 2006

By 

Laurence M. Schwarz "Business Intelligence Co... (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2005 Analysis Services Step by Step (Step by Step (Microsoft)) (Paperback)

I am both shocked and surprised at how completely faulty this book is. I have the previous version of this book; Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services Step by Step, and I don't remember it being this bad. Don't get me wrong, I know Reed Jacobson as I had met him at the SQL Server 2005 launch event, and I don't necessarily blame him for the poor standing. I do however blame Microsoft as there is no way they could have performed any sort of Technical Editorial on this book. If you do decide to buy it, watch out for the Writeback partitions exercise in Chapter 10. It blew up my Virtual Server. Twice.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A troubled work, June 26, 2006

By 

W. Salkin (North Hollywood, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2005 Analysis Services Step by Step (Step by Step (Microsoft)) (Paperback)

Chapter 1 made several good points. Chapter 2 was more confusing in its presentation but I got something out of it. Chapter 3 began the hands-on so I installed the sample files and sample database contained on the accompanying CD-ROM -- only to find that I couldn't successfully install the database! The CD contains only the ".mdf" file for the sql database (no .ldf), not enough to "restore" or "attach" the database. Their script to install the DB also errored out. I was unable to locate any useful help or errata on the MsPress website. It looks like the authors spent a lot of time and effort developing the step-by-step examples so I'm quite disappointed that I can't proceed further into chapter 3. I'd recommend looking to the Microsoft SSAS tutorial instead of this book.