Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services: The BISM Tabular Model [Paperback]

Marco Russo (Author), Alberto Ferrari (Author), Chris Webb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2012 | ISBN-10: 0735658188 | ISBN-13: 978-0735658189 | Edition: 1

Build agile and responsive Business Intelligence solutions

Analyze tabular data using the BI Semantic Model (BISM) in Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Analysis Services—and discover a simpler method for creating corporate-level BI solutions. Led by three BI experts, you’ll learn how to build, deploy, and query a BISM tabular model with step-by-step guides, examples, and best practices. This hands-on book shows you how the tabular model’s in-memory database enables you to perform rapid analytics—whether you’re a professional BI developer new to Analysis Services or familiar with its multidimensional model.

Discover how to:

• Determine when a tabular or multidimensional model is right for your project
• Build a tabular model using SQL Server Data Tools in Microsoft Visual Studio® 2010
• Integrate data from multiple sources into a single, coherent view of company information
• Use the Data Analysis eXpressions (DAX) language to create calculated columns, measures, and queries
• Choose a data modeling technique that meets your organization’s performance and usability requirements
• Optimize your data model for better performance with xVelocity storage engine
• Manage complex data relationships, such as multicolumn, banding, and many-to-many
• Implement security by establishing administrative and data user roles

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marco Russo is a Business Intelligence consultant and mentor. His main activities are related to data warehouse relational and multidimensional design, but he is also involved in the complete development lifecycle of a BI solution. He has particular competence and experience in sectors like financial services (including complex olap designs in banking area), manufacturing, gambling and commercial distribution.Marco is also a book author and, apart from his BI-related publications, he also wrote some books about .NET programming. He speaks at international conferences such as PASS Summit, SQLRally and SQLBits. Marco has achieved the unique SSAS Maestro certification and is also a Microsoft Certified Trainer with several Microsoft Certified Professional certifications.

Alberto Ferrari is a Business Intelligence consultant whose two main interests are in a methodological approach to the BI development lifecycle, and performance tuning of ETL and SQL code. His activities are related to designing and implementing solutions based on Integration Services and Analysis Services for the financial, manufacturing and statistical areas. He is also a book author and a speaker in international conferences such as PASS Summit, SQLRally and SQLBits. Alberto holds an SSAS Maestro certification.

Chris Webb ([e-mail]), SQL Server MVP, has been working with Microsoft Business Intelligence tools for over twelve years in a variety of roles and industries. He is an independent consultant and trainer based in the UK, specializing in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services and the MDX query language. He is the co-author of two books, “MDX Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 and Hyperion Essbase” and “Expert Cube Development with SQL Server Analysis Services 2008”, and is a regular speaker at conferences and user groups. His blog is available at http://cwebbbi.wordpress.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 656 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; 1 edition (July 26, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735658188
• ISBN-13: 978-0735658189
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Development > SQL Server
  • #27 in Books > Computers & Technology > Networking > Network Administration
  • #38 in Books > Computers & Technology > Databases > Data Mining

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to learn SSAS 2012 Tabular and DAX, then BUY THIS BOOK July 25, 2012

By Kevin S. Goff

Format:Paperback

If you landed on this Amazon web page, it's likely that you had some interest in SSAS 2012 books on the Tabular Model. If that's the case, order this book and I assure you - not only won't be disappointed, you'll be happy you did.

This is an outstanding book. In the past I've seen some books (even decent books) that purport to cover one technology, but wind up covering so many other peripheral topics that the book loses sight of the original goal. This one doesn't - the content focuses precisely on the title: the BISM Tabular Model.

There are many little gems in here: from a small section on Kerberos (that helped me to understand something), to intricacies in DAX formulas, to recommendations on hierarchies, to implementing dynamic security. In addition to many complete chapters on the tabular model, here are some additional great chapters:

- The DAX chapters might even rival entire books on DAX. The authors managed to pack many examples into 2 chapters.

- The authors clearly communicate feature comparisons between the Tabular Model and the multidimensional model, and also which tabular features will work optimally (and which won't) when using the Tabular Model in PowerView.

- The chapter on security is excellent and covers several scenarios.

- The authors have a chapter towards the end on using XMLA to process Tabular Models. While I already knew most of this, I'm so glad to see authors covering this. Guys, thank you, THANK YOU.

- The authors cover advanced relationships, and show some examples of DAX formulas that you'll need to supplement bridge table scenarios. While the tabular model (in my opinion) doesn't handle many-to-many scenarios quite as gracefully as SSAS multidimensional, the authors show how you can implement equivalent functionality.

Also, SSAS multi-dimensional developers will appreciate the many comparisons between the MDM and the tabular model. This is a complete book by authors who have already developed a reputation for delivering strong content.
(And by the way, if you didn't already know it, these authors wrote "Expert Cube Development with Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services" a few years ago, an equally outstanding book on the "standard" multidimensional model.

Guys, fantastic job. No book can cover EVERYTHING, but you guys came very close. It's hard to believe someone could improve on what you did with the Expert Cube Development book (which was awesome and helped me greatly), but you seem to have done it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Microsoft BI MUST BUY BOOK August 3, 2012

By Phil Milner

Format:Paperback

If you do Microsoft Business Intelligence beyond simple reporting, this book is a must buy.

The authors clearly explain how the new version of Analysis Services fits in the Microsoft BI family of products.
Now that's a big achievement because that tool (and advanced analysis) are not easily understood.

However Marco, Alberto and Chris are both master communicators and masters of the technology.
In addition, you will begin to understand the world of database/data analysis beyond the relational database.
In our world of big data warehouses, tools beyond the relation database are a must.

Having been a Microsoft Partner Consultant, BI Architect and chairman of a Microsoft BI User's Group, I'm keenly aware of how difficult it is to communicate these advanced concepts--and to turn them into practical solutions.

The return on your time for using this book will be several orders of magnitude, and the sooner you start, the bigger the return.

Heartfelt thanks to the authors for helping all of us in the Microsoft BI World see more clearly and create better solutions!

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! January 9, 2013

By Jason T. Thomas

Format:Paperback

Look no further if you are trying to learn the tabular part of SSAS. No other book describes the intricacies and internals of the tabular model than this book. A definite MUST BUY.

Jason Thomas
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