Vidas Matelis Analysis Services Blog

I posted this in SSAS 2008 forum, but decided also to post it here.

I did some testing with Analysis Services 2008 June CTP and found following:

• No problems restoring databases that were archived in SSAS 2005.
• I like new dimension wizard and can see myself using it more, as I have more control on how attributes are created.
• June CTP can be used to test how my database is holding to “best design practices”, as I can see all the warnings after database is restored.
• Adventure works database that is shipped with Katmai June CTP has a lot of warnings. I know that this is just a warning and not error, but when I open Adventure Works DW cube, I keep getting distracted by all these blue lines in almost every dimension.

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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.

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This weekend I had some time to play with SQL Server 2008 (Katmai) June CTP, and I am posting here my first impressions (focus on Analysis Services).

Installation

As a first attempt I tried to setup SQL Server 2008 on the computer that already had SQL Server 2005 default instance installed. I wanted to install SQL 2008 as a named instance and compare SQL 2005 and 2008 side by side. After answering few standard questions I got message that because SQL Server 2005 was found on the machine, SQL Server 2008 cannot install client tools. I proceed with installation without client tools. After installation I tried to use SQL Server 2005 BIDS environment and connect to Katmai instance, but somehow that did not work. Then finally I decided that maybe I should read readmesqlkatmai.htm file. Found that side by side installation is not supported. From readme file: Read the rest of this entry »

Found this interesting presentation online “SSAS Implementation Best Practices“. Presenter was: Nicholas Dritsas, SQL Server Product Group Customer Adivsory Team. It is PDF document that contains power point sildes.

My notes from 2007 Microsoft Business Intelligence Conference:

• SP2 has a lot of performance improvements for processing and querying. Upgrade ASAP.
• Attribute relationship is important. I have heard that at least 10 times in different sessions.

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Just came back from Microsoft BI conference. I would say it was better than I expected and most likely I’ll come back next year. My experience: 

• There were not enough technical sessions. That is the biggest complaint from my side to conference organisers.
• I wish they handed out session slide print-outs before each session.
• There were very good chalk talk and break out sessions that made it all worth while. But I do not believe they were recorded on DVD. I hope they will do this next year.
• I met a lot very interesting people. Many of them were from my blog roll list.
• I have heard many interesting stories on how others are implementing Analysis Services projects and their solutions to different problems.
• Microsoft employees were available to answer questions in partner pavilion. I liked that very much. I had a few consultations with them that were very very helpful for me.

There is new (I believe) paper published by Microsoft today: 2007 Microsoft Office System Business Intelligence Integration with SQL Server 2005 here:

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techinfo/whitepapers/sqlplusofficebi.mspx

Published date is today, but internally document says Jan 31th, 2007. Anyway, I have not seen this paper before.

Welcome new Analysis Services blogger – Ramunas Balukonis.

http://www.ssas-info.com/RamunasBalukonisBlog/