Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development

Learn to develop and query Analysis Services cubes and models, with a practical, step-by-step approach

Overview

• Learn how to develop a complete business intelligence solution using SQL Server 2012
• Understand the difference between Tabular in-memory models and OLAP cubes, and which to use where and when
• Add advanced features such as key performance indicators (KPIs) and calculated measures to your business intelligence model
• Understand the use of cubes in a modern business intelligence solution
• Go from a complete beginner to a developer who can build real-world projects through the use of easy step-by-step examples

In Detail

Analysis Services have been the number one OLAP engine for years. With the increased focus on business intelligence solutions, there is a shortage of professionals in this area. Start your journey into becoming a BI developer using the popular tools included in every SQL Server installation.

Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development teaches you through clear step-by-step exercises to create business intelligence solutions using Analysis Services. The knowledge gained through these practical examples can immediately be applied to your real-world problems.

Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development begins with an introduction to business intelligence and Analysis Services, the world’s most-used cube engine. Guiding you through easy-to-understand examples to become a cube developer.

Learn how to create a cube including all the advanced features such as KPIs, calculated measures, and time intelligence. Security and performance tuning will also be explored. You will learn how to perform and automate core tasks like deployment and processing. The main focus is on multidimensional cubes, but the creation of in-memory models will also be covered.

You will learn everything you need to get started with cube development using SQL Server 2012.

What you will learn from this book

• Choose the correct model for solving your business problem
• Set up Analysis Services and the development environment
• Create user friendly dimensions and cubes
• Automate cube processing and deployment
• Query cubes using standard tools like Excel and Reporting Services
• Add advanced functionality such as KPIs and calculations
• Secure your business intelligence solutions
• Performance tune your cube through the use of aggregations
• Create tabular in-memory models
• Understand business intelligence architecture

Approach

As a practical tutorial for Analysis Services, get started with developing cubes. “Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development” walks you through the basics, working with SSAS to build cubes and get them up and running.

Who this book is written for

Written for SQL Server developers who have not previously worked with Analysis Services. It is assumed that you have experience with relational databases, but no prior knowledge of cube development is required. You need SQL Server 2012 in order to follow along with the exercises in this book.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Self-service Business Intelligence, Creating Value from Data
Chapter 2: Installing SSAS and Preparing for Cube Development
Chapter 3: Creating Your First Multidimensional Cube
Chapter 4: Deploying and Processing Cubes
Chapter 5: Querying Your Cube
Chapter 6: Adding Functionality to Your Cube
Chapter 7: Securing Your Cube Project
Chapter 8: Using Aggregations to Performance Optimize a Cube
Chapter 9: In-memory, the Future
Chapter 10: Cubes in the Larger Context