The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit: With SQL Server 2008 R2 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset [Paperback]

Joy Mundy (Author), Warren Thornthwaite (Author), Ralph Kimball (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2011 | ISBN-10: 0470640383 | ISBN-13: 978-0470640388 | Edition: 2

Best practices and invaluable advice from world-renowned data warehouse experts

In this book, leading data warehouse experts from the Kimball Group share best practices for using the upcoming “Business Intelligence release” of SQL Server, referred to as SQL Server 2008 R2. In this new edition, the authors explain how SQL Server 2008 R2 provides a collection of powerful new tools that extend the power of its BI toolset to Excel and SharePoint users and they show how to use SQL Server to build a successful data warehouse that supports the business intelligence requirements that are common to most organizations. Covering the complete suite of data warehousing and BI tools that are part of SQL Server 2008 R2, as well as Microsoft Office, the authors walk you through a full project lifecycle, including design, development, deployment and maintenance.

• Features more than 50 percent new and revised material that covers the rich new feature set of the SQL Server 2008 R2 release, as well as the Office 2010 release
• Includes brand new content that focuses on PowerPivot for Excel and SharePoint, Master Data Services, and discusses updated capabilities of SQL Server Analysis, Integration, and Reporting Services
• Shares detailed case examples that clearly illustrate how to best apply the techniques described in the book
• The accompanying Web site contains all code samples as well as the sample database used throughout the case studies

The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit, Second Edition provides you with the knowledge of how and when to use BI tools such as Analysis Services and Integration Services to accomplish your most essential data warehousing tasks.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Learn to use SQL Server 2008 R2 to build a successful data warehouse

As the most influential thought leaders in the data warehousing and business intelligence industry, the Kimball Group has developed pioneering techniques that serve as industry standards for DW/BI system design, development, and management. With this new edition of their bestseller, veteran experts from the Kimball Group get you up to speed with using the new Business Intelligence release of SQL Server: SQL Server 2008 R2. Covering the complete suite of data warehousing and BI tools that are part of SQL Server 2008 R2, the authors follow the full project lifecycle, including design, development, deployment, and maintenance.

In addition to a substantial update to the content of the previous edition as well as a look at the new features and functionality of SQL Server 2008 R2 such as PowerPivot and Master Data Services, this new version includes detailed examples that illustrate how to best apply the techniques described in the book. The authors share their own trial-and-error experiences of building a DW/BI system with the Microsoft tools so that you can benefit from their challenges and successes. You'll also discover how using the Kimball Lifecycle to build your DW/BI system encourages you to zero in on four primary principles: focus on the business, build an information infrastructure, deliver in meaningfulincrements, and deliver the entire solution. With these principles in hand, you'll be well on your way to building a successful DW/BI system that supports business intelligence requirements common to most organizations.

No matter your role in the process of working on a DW/BI project, The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit, Second Edition shows you how to:

• Focus your efforts on the best opportunities

• Select, install, and configure the appropriate components of SQL Server 2008 R2 and other Microsoft products

• Design the dimensional model and create the database structures for the relational and Analysis Services databases

• Build an ETL System in Integration Services to populate the DW/BI databases

• Build the BI applications and data mining models to deliver value to your organization

• Manage, secure, and grow the DW/BI system for long-term success

With SQL Server 2008 R2 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset

About the Author

Joy Mundy is a member of the Kimball Group and has been focusing on data warehousing and business intelligence since the early 1990s.

Warren Thornthwaite has been building decision support and data warehousing systems since 1980 and is a member of the Kimball Group.

Ralph Kimball, PhD, is known worldwide as an innovator, writer, educator, speaker, and consultant in the field of data warehousing. He is the founder of the Kimball Group (www.kimballgroup.com), which provides data warehouse consulting and education.

Product Details

• Paperback: 696 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (March 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470640383
• ISBN-13: 978-0470640388
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.4 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Development > SQL Server
  • #20 in Books > Computers & Technology > Databases > Data Warehousing
  • #25 in Books > Computers & Technology > Databases > SQL

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Successful application of data warehousing expertise to a real-world platform March 14, 2011

By Edward Scheidelman

Format:Paperback

I've enthusiastically referenced Kimball publications for business intelligence projects over the years; everything from how to manage history in slowly changing dimensions to fact-less fact tables to creating an initial data warehouse project plan, always with outstanding results. Mundy, Thornthwaite, and Kimball achieve two key milestones with The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit. First, they successfully apply many years of data warehousing scholarship and expertise to a real-world platform. This is accomplished from a practical perspective with respect to MS SQL Server, as the authors are realistic of both the strengths and weaknesses of the platform and tailor their approach accordingly. Second, this publication recognizes modern incarnations of the MS SQL Server as a viable platform for data warehousing. Microsoft has addressed the stability issues associated with earlier releases of the SQL Server. If you're considering an MS SQL warehouse deployment, I would strongly encourage you and your staff to read this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have for implementing data warehouse using SQL 2008 R2 September 14, 2011

By B. franklin

Format:Paperback

I don't do much review on books until this.

First off, SQL 2008 R2 introduces many new cool features that drastically change the performance and manageability of an Enterprise Data Warehouse. This book has all the tips to jump start to build one. It even has all the tips I need to integrate with Sharepoint. If I knew that, it would saved me days on googling Sharepoint and collecting only piece meals from different authors.

The books comes with many ready to go scripts that are easy to use and error free. Reader going thru the book one chapter at a time from the beginning will find their knowledge grow rapidly. The example helps me explain to my client what the Data Warehouse will be liked with Kimball's Slowly Changing Dimension and what can get out from Master Data Dictionary.

This book, liked, other Kimball books are easy to read and understand. It covers many implementation specific guides that I think it is a BI bible, or BIble :), to consultants in BI. With there are only a few reviews on it, I think this book is a hidden gem or a hidden secret. :)

I would highly recommend any one get a copy of the Developer Edition of the SQL2008 R2 to get all the benefits from the book. The Developer Edition is only around $70, at the time of writing.

Have fun!

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading before, during and after February 2, 2013

By Mario Di Giovanni

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are using the MS BI stack to build your DW/BI environment, then this book is required reading for your team.