Analysis Services: 2 Quick Tweaks to Speed Up Cube Processing

You can accelerate SQL Server Analysis Services cube processing by adjusting two setting, without changing data architecture or other costly approaches. 1. Use Shared Memory protocol to optimize source data retrieval >1.5 times I came across this remarkable feature while reading SQL Server 2008 R2 Analysis Services Operations Guide. It’s applicable when your data warehouse [...]

 

If you’re deciding what edition of SQL Server to obtain for your business intelligence (BI) system, I suggest narrow your list down to the following 7 important features for BI. First, consider the costs of two products: Standard Edition – $7,499 per processor Enterprise Edition – $28,749 per processor By looking at the differences, many [...]

 

If you are starting in business intelligence development and would like to get a sense of scope and get familiar with basics, you can: Watch Business Intelligence Webinars provided by Pragmatic Works Get to know the Report Builder Learn How to communicate OLAP Cube Design Decisions to Clients

Mar 292011
 

There are several techniques you can apply to develop reports with Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder 3.0: Start reporting with Report Builder Implementing parameterized dates ranges Filtering parameter values list Implementing ‘Start From’ date parameter Cascading parameters Implementing interactive sort Automate report deployment

 
Report Builder Tips – Part 7 – Deploying Reports to Different Server

After you have created reports in the development environment, are you wondering how to deploy them to UAT or Production server? Luckily, there’s a Reporting Services Scripter utility that allows you to script SQL Server Reporting objects, including your reports, data sources, datasets, and user roles. Select reports and datasets you need to deploy to [...]

 
Report Builder Tips – Part 6 – Interactive Sorting

So you want to allow your report users sort data interactively. First, decide what the default sorting should be. Tip: It is beneficial to rely on an attribute ordering defined in your OLAP cube. When properly defined, the ‘Unknown’ member will appear on the bottom of the list. So, remove any sorting specifications (follow the [...]

 
Report Builder Tips – Part 5 – Cascading Parameters Using Attributes from Different OLAP Cube Dimensions

To simplify filter selection for report user, you can create a series of related parameters so that the values of next parameter depend on the selection in previous one. This is fairly easy, and Report Builder will set most of the relationships between parameters for you automatically. (Read before how to add parameters to your [...]

 
Report Builder Tips – Part 4 – Parameters Cont.

You can now add parameters to your report, and filter parameters values based on business requirements. Do you want to set ‘From Date’ filter only and avoid the need to reset the upper limit every time data grows? 1. Use the same Range operator and leave the upper filter expression blank or delete it: 2. [...]

 
Report Builder Tips – Part 3 – Filter Parameter Values

Now that you’ve implemented your report parameters, you want to minimize their drop-down values and display only applicable to your actual facts. To filter list of parameter values: 1. To determine what dataset provides parameter with a list of values, find a parameter you want to change: 2. Open parameter properties dialog box and notice [...]