Vidas Matelis Analysis Services Blog

Just participated in chat session on Katmai release and found some new information on SSAS 2008. Full transcript of this chat will be published shortly here.

Some interesting Q/A below:

• Q: What are improvements to Analysis Services 2008? I saw new feature visual attribute relationship in Dimension Editor, and also I saw “Design warning” interface where you can enable/disable design warnings. Anything else we should check in SSAS 2008?
  Rob Zare [MSFT] (Expert):
  A: This CTP includes a redesigned dimension wizard, a new attribute relationship designer, and real-time design/best practice warnings. The warnings are implemented in AMO, exposed in the UI via blue squiggly lines, and can be dismissed individually (a single occurrence) or turned off all together.

• Q: [29] Are you planning any changes to Reporting Services MDX query builder? Any changes to how Reporting Services will work with MDX queries?
  Carolyn [MSFT] (Expert):
  A: We currently don’t have big changes planned for the MDX query builder but may make small enhancements. If there are specific issues or features you would like us to support, please provide that feedback through Microsoft Connect. Thank you.
• Q: [111] Could you please share what changes (if any) are planned regarding MDX language?
  Rob Zare [MSFT] (Expert):
  A: No major changes are currently planned. We will be extending the CREATE MEMBER syntax to support defining caption, display folders and associated measure group. CREATE SET will be enhanced to allow support for captions and display folders, as well as, the ability to define dynamic named sets. Also, a CREATE KPI command will be added.
• Q: [40] Is there any enhancments in SSRS report model. by means of creating a report model from an analysis service datasource, and not relational
  A: We don’t have any currently on the schedule but will likely review this functionality in the next few months and determine what enhancements if any will be made. Please submit your feedback via Microsoft Connect so we can see the areas that you would like to see enhanced. Be as specific as possible, that would help us greatly.
• Q: [56] any plans to extended the authentication of the analysis database connection to both windows authentication and SQL Server Authentication, it’ll make a big difference specialy for identifying the logged user priviliges, than using impersonation
  A: No such plans for this release, but we’ve heard this request before and are looking into making enhancements to the security model for a future release.
• Q: [86] Any Cube building enhancements?
  Rob Zare [MSFT] (Expert):
  A: Not in this CTP, but we’re actively working on this for a future CTP.
   

Next CTP should be released in July.