Using the SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Deployment Wizard

Problem
I have to deploy my SQL Server Analysis Services project to a test server then to a production server after testing is completed.  For both of these deployments I need to provide an installation program.  I am not allowed to access either of these servers.  For my own testing I can deploy my project using Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) and this works great.  How can I create an installer that my IT team can use to perform the deployment?

Solution
SSAS includes a tool called the Deployment Wizard which will do exactly what you need.  The Deployment Wizard uses the artifacts created by your SSAS project and can perform the deployment and/or generate an XMLA script that can be used to perform the deployment at a later time.  XMLA stands for XML for Analysis Services and it is the native protocol used by SSAS.  All commands sent to SSAS are in the XMLA format.  An XMLA script is an XML file.  The ability to generate the XMLA script allows the developer to provide the IT team what they need to perform the deployment.  In this tip we will review the BIDS artifacts, walk through the Deployment Wizard to create the XMLA script, then show the options to execute the script.

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