The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit: With SQL Server 2008 R2 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset: Amazon.co.uk: Joy Mundy, Warren Thornthwaite, Ralph Kimball: Books

Product Description

Best practices and invaluable advice from world–renowned data warehouse experts

In this book, leading data warehouse experts from the Kimball Group share best practices for using the upcoming “Business Intelligence release” of SQL Server, referred to as SQL Server 2008 R2. In this new edition, the authors explain how SQL Server 2008 R2 provides a collection of powerful new tools that extend the power of its BI toolset to Excel and SharePoint users and they show how to use SQL Server to build a successful data warehouse that supports the business intelligence requirements that are common to most organizations. Covering the complete suite of data warehousing and BI tools that are part of SQL Server 2008 R2, as well as Microsoft Office, the authors walk you through a full project lifecycle, including design, development, deployment and maintenance.

Features more than 50 percent new and revised material that covers the rich new feature set of the SQL Server 2008 R2 release, as well as the Office 2010 release
Includes brand new content that focuses on PowerPivot for Excel and SharePoint, Master Data Services, and discusses updated capabilities of SQL Server Analysis, Integration, and Reporting Services
Shares detailed case examples that clearly illustrate how to best apply the techniques described in the book
The accompanying Web site contains all code samples as well as the sample database used throughout the case studies

The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit, Second Edition provides you with the knowledge of how and when to use BI tools such as Analysis Services and Integration Services to accomplish your most essential data warehousing tasks.

From the Back Cover

Learn to use SQL Server 2008 R2 to build a successful data warehouse

As the most influential thought leaders in the data warehousing and business intelligence industry, the Kimball Group has developed pioneering techniques that serve as industry standards for DW/BI system design, development, and management. With this new edition of their bestseller, veteran experts from the Kimball Group get you up to speed with using the new Business Intelligence release of SQL Server: SQL Server 2008 R2. Covering the complete suite of data warehousing and BI tools that are part of SQL Server 2008 R2, the authors follow the full project lifecycle, including design, development, deployment, and maintenance.

In addition to a substantial update to the content of the previous edition as well as a look at the new features and functionality of SQL Server 2008 R2 such as PowerPivot and Master Data Services, this new version includes detailed examples that illustrate how to best apply the techniques described in the book. The authors share their own trial–and–error experiences of building a DW/BI system with the Microsoft tools so that you can benefit from their challenges and successes. You′ll also discover how using the Kimball Lifecycle to build your DW/BI system encourages you to zero in on four primary principles: focus on the business, build an information infrastructure, deliver in meaningfulincrements, and deliver the entire solution. With these principles in hand, you′ll be well on your way to building a successful DW/BI system that supports business intelligence requirements common to most organizations.

No matter your role in the process of working on a DW/BI project, The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit, Second Edition shows you how to:

Focus your efforts on the best opportunities
Select, install, and configure the appropriate components of SQL Server 2008 R2 and other Microsoft products
Design the dimensional model and create the database structures for the relational and Analysis Services databases
Build an ETL System in Integration Services to populate the DW/BI databases
Build the BI applications and data mining models to deliver value to your organization
Manage, secure, and grow the DW/BI system for long–term success

With SQL Server 2008 R2 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Surprising Anguish 2 Feb 2012

By L

Format:Paperback

Let me start by saying that the Kimball Group is widely respected as being the best there is when it comes to dimensional modelling. The book gets off to an excellent start and I found myself smiling in acknowledgement as the authors shared some of their experiences. The Kimball model is widely referenced throughout the book and this makes complete sense. It really does encapsulate what the subject is about.

So why then just two stars? Let me illustrate by defining how to connect a hosepipe! I would suggest:

1. You'll need a supply of water, hose pipe and tap
2. Connect the pipe to the tap
3. Turn on water

The Kimball way:

1. You'll need water (refer to step 2), hosepipe(refer to step 3) and tap (refer to step 4)
2. Refer to diagram 1 to determine if your water pressure is correct. You'll need to also reference this to your geography as the water may be too hard (in which case you will need to add a softener) or too soft (in which case you'll also need one of a variety of available additives). This is discussed in detail in chapter 2.
3. The hosepipe must be of a sturdy material- we recommend (insert list of long technical names here), given the environmental constraints and delimiters (insert as much nonsense jargon here as possible) that you face on your project. You'll also need to consider how wide and how long your hosepipe is- as this can drastically affect pressure/ flow rate. Please refer to Chapter 3 for a detailed discussion.
4......and so on and on and on and on.

As a consequence the book (and I would suggest the whole Kimball approach) becomes an impractical and unneccessary technical bore.

A hugely disappointing book on a subject that I feel passionately about. This book encapsulates why Business Intelligence still has so far to go to win over hearts and minds.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Latest version - buy it 23 Dec 2011

By Robin Everson

I paid for this book myself and have several of the previously published books by Wiley:

The clearly written guide describes the suite of Microsoft data warehousing technologies and tools in the context of the widely respected Ralph Kimball design techniques that are generally realised as being best practice in the field. Expert advice is provided on how to best-use these tools to build your robust B.I. solutions.

This book is an update on the 2005 version but stands on it's own as a self-contained and comprehensive guide. The guide's strength is keeping the explanations in MS SQL2008 R2 context while you learn and harvest the many useful tips provided.

Buy it, read it, use it, read it and the other Kimball guides again.

Another execellent book from the Kimball Group 28 Sep 2011

By Iain Howie

A solid book that perfectly marries the Microsoft's BI offering with the Kimball Group datawarehousing world. Includes an excellent, honest, assesment toward the end of the book. Revised, updated, a joy.