Introduction to Linked Objects in Analysis Services 2005

Among many new capabilities that debut in Analysis Services 2005, our options for bringing together data from different data sources – and extending structures that we have already built elsewhere within our integrated business intelligence solution - is further enhanced with linked objects. We can link a cube to a measure group in another cube that we maintain in the same Analysis Services 2005 database, a cube on the same server, or a cube in any other Analysis Services instance. We can also add a link within a link local cube to a dimension that we have created within another database, in like manner. Once we establish the link, we enable information consumers to query data and metadata in the linked measure group or dimension, just as they can do in a respective object that is native to the cube to which they have access.

In this article we will gain some hands-on exposure to linked objects in Analysis Services 2005. Our examination of the linked objects will include:

• A discussion surrounding the general concepts underpinning linked dimensions and measures, including how they can be useful within our support of analysis and reporting within the enterprise.
• Addition of a related linked dimension and measure group pair within a sample cube to demonstrate the ease with which we can add these linked objects to the cubes in our individual business environments.
• A discussion of other considerations that surround the selection, addition and use of linked objects.

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