Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If just finished chapter 3 and over came an oversite in the book.
If you do not see the SSAS Step by Step DW.mdf database file, the following may help.

Start the SQL Server Management Studio, Select Server type Database Engine, select the connect button.
Within the Object Explorer section, right click on Databases, select Attach.
In the new Attach Databasees window, Select the Add button and drill down to where the SSAS Step by Step DW.mdf file is located. You should be back at Attach Databases window.
In the bottom half, highlight the 'Log' file type record and select remove (it says 'Not Found' in the Message column). Since there is no log file, we need to remove this action.
Select the OK button to attach this database to your other or existing databases.
That's it. It worked for me. I hope it works for you.
Randie@thepettigrews.com

I ran into a problem early in the book in Chapter 3 going through the Schema Generation Wizard. I went through the steps and it said cannot find the matching TimeAttributeType. Now I'm stuck!

I am not sure why some people had problem following the examples or used the CD. I haven't had any issue except write-back excel example in chap 10 and some mismatched data in chap 9 (account dimension). The book is very helpful in building your understanding by working the examples step by step. It explains most concepts in SSAS clear and interesting to learn. Right after I finished the book, I was able to utilize the knowledge in a small scale SSAS project. Even now I have purchased and studied several other SSA books, this is still the book I enjoy the most.

Very easy to follow. Great for a beginner. Quick read, great examples.

Having read some other MS Press books that were chock full of great information, examples and a background on the topic, I found this book lacking in all areas. Well, I will say that the author's Step-by-Step examples were easy to follow, things like "Right Click.." or my favorite, "Click Next twice." Why am I clicking Next twice? Well, the authors provide zero detail or background information on why they want you to perform certain tasks. I guess if they were planning on writing a guide to program the next generation of nearly-self-aware automatons that don't care why they are doing things...then they (the authors) have stumbled on a good tact here.

According to the back cover the authors are a "senior architect in Hitachi Consulting Business Intelligence practice" and the other "..manages the development of training solutions for business intelligence and enterprise reporting at Hitachi Consulting". My advice to all of you out there...if someone offers to help you solve some business problem using some SQL BI stuff and their card reads, "Hitachi Consulting", well...run like hell! These people seem to be an inept group of theorists that have never delivered a real-life solution. As Sir Charles Barkley often says, "I could be wrong, but I doubt it."

Choose another book and never buy one from these "authors" or their consulting company again.

I am new to SSAS since December 2008 and of all the three books I have purchased and forum research on this topic, I still find the information given is either too vague or not informative at all. You could probably save your money and take a community college course on SSAS rather than reviewing books on SSAS.

If someone could please recommend another book so I may learn DW/BI and Analysis Services, it would be most appreciated. Thank you.