SQL Server Accelerator for Business Intelligence (SSABI)

Deploying an Analytical Application The Benefits Improved Information-Sharing and Decision-Making Higher Revenues and Lower Costs The Challenges Long Development Cycles Extensive Customization for Packaged Solutions

Understanding the Benefits of the Accelerator for BI Fast Deployment Extensibility Cost-Effectiveness Flexibility Reusability Prescriptive Guidance

Mapping the Analytical Application Development Process Develop Project Plan Gather Business Requirements Customize Data Model Select Data Model Configure Analytics Builder Workbook Create Analytical Application Configure Client Views Load and Process Data Select Clients Evaluate Deploy

Introducing Components of the Accelerator for BI Reference Data Models Client Views Analytics Builder Workbook

Reference Data Models Sales and Marketing Analytics Retail Analytics Additional Reference Data Models

Client Views Customizable Templates Solution-specific KPIs Report Collections by Business Role Multiple Client Tools ProClarity Analytic Platform 4.0 Open API Supported by Many Third-Party Vendors

Introducing the Analytics Builder Workbook Front End to Analytics Builder Data Model Design Interface Hosted by Excel Intended for a Single User Design Features Standard Data Model One Worksheet per Design Component Custom Toolbar Data Entry Validation Routines

Defining the Logical Architecture Architecture Overview Client Views Analysis Services Database SQL Server Databases DTS Packages

Analytical Application Architecture Overview SourceSystems DTSDTS ETL Subject Matter Db StagingDb KPI’sCubes OLEDB for OLAP UI DTS

Client Views Dynamic Configuration Automatic Generation Optional Usage Extensible Content

Analysis Services Database OLAP Cubes Facilitates Slice and Dice Very Fast Query Performance Predefined Structure Supports the Client Views Customizable

SQL Server Databases – Subject Matter Fact and Dimension Tables Support Cubes Slowly Changing Dimension Support

SQL Server Databases - Staging Tables Support Fact and Dimension Loads Stored Procedures for ETLM

DTS Packages Load Staging Database Preconfigured Bulk Insert Package Requires Cleansed and Organized Source Data Load Subject Matter Database Management of Inserts, Updates and Deletes Supports Slowly Changing Dimensions Process OLAP Database Management of Updates to Dimensions and Cubes Implements Monthly Partitioning

Installing the Accelerator for BI Minimum Requirements Installation Procedures

Software Microsoft Windows 2000, any edition (SP2) or Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Enterprise Edition or Developer Edition (SP2) Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services, Enterprise Edition or Developer Edition (SP2) Microsoft Excel 2002 (Office XP) Microsoft Word 2002 Office XP SP1 Windows Scripting Host version 5.6 Minimum Requirements Hardware Intel Pentium 166 Mhz 256 MB RAM 3 GB hard disk VGA monitor Mouse

Installation Procedures Installing the Software Use Local Administrator Credentials Start SQL Server and MSSQLServerOLAPService Launch the Executable Configuring Permissions on Folders and File Shares Set Permissions for SQL Server Service Set Permissions for Developer Accounts

Using the Analytics Builder Workbook Databases Time Dimensions Levels Member Properties Virtual Dimensions Physical Cubes Measures Virtual Cubes Calculated Members Advanced Sheets Mappings

Databases Server Selection – Local vs. Remote Database Naming Rules Connectivity Testing StagingDb Cubes Subject Matter Database NameAnalysis Database Name _Staging

Time Schema and Member Values Generated Automatically Primary Key of All Time Level Tables is SmallDateTime All Time Hierarchies Based on Dim_Time_Day Table

Schema Object Attributes ID Short code for the object Used in creating relational schema names Name User-friendly name for the object Used in creating OLAP schema names Label Longer description of the object Used in the description property

Dimensions Unique IDs and Names for Dimensions and Hierarchies Required One Row Per Hierarchy Standard, Flat or Parent-Child Dimension Structure Name of “All” Member Changing Type Track History Restate History Restate History Seldom / Often

Hierarchical Levels Unique IDs and Names for Levels Required Within a Dimension Hierarchy One Row Per Level in Proper Sequence Within Hierarchy Two Generated Member Properties Member code – natural key Member label – description of member Choose a Based On Level for Alternate Hierarchies That Share Levels

Virtual Dimensions & Member Properties Add Member Properties for Filters and Calculations Member properties are optional A column for each member property is added to dimension table Specify a Virtual Dimensions for Enhanced Analysis Any member property can be designated as a virtual dimension A table for each virtual dimension is automatically created Force Referential Integrity in the Relational Database Foreign Dimension-Hierarchy Foreign Level

Physical Cubes Unique IDs and Names for Cubes Required Specify Automatic Monthly Partitioning Select Dimension Granularity in Each Cube By default, granularity is the leaf level of the hierarchy The granularity can be any level, except the “All” level The cube’s schema is automatically structured to remove lower levels

Measures Unique IDs and Names for Measures Required This prevents naming conflicts in virtual cubes This applies to both real and calculated measures Specify Data type and Format “Count” measures are created only in analysis database “DegenerateDim” measures are created only in the relational databases Specify if Measure will be Visible in Cube

Virtual Cubes Unique IDs and Names for Virtual Cubes Required Inheritance All dimensions of component cubes All measures of components cubes - Physical - Calculated If a level is disabled in each of the component cubes, the level is hidden in the virtual cube

Calculated Members Unique IDs and Names for Calculated Members Required Apply a Calculated Member to a Specific Physical Cube, or a Virtual Cube MDX is Not Validated in the Worksheet

Advanced Sheets Worksheets for Advanced Functionality Named Sets Actions Calculated Cells Validate Syntax Before Adding to Worksheet

Mappings You use this sheet to: Map Default Values to Renamed Components Remove Default Values for Deleted Components Analytics Builder uses this sheet to: Build XML Mapping for Client Generators