Business Intelligence with SQL Server 2005 (ISBN 0321356985) Book Reviews 1-7 Sorted By Most Recent, at VeryWellSaid.com

Great first book on SQL 2005 BI

BI is about turning data into useful knowledge.

This book is geared towards the beginners of SQL 2005 BI. It differs from many other books in the market in that it defines the general architecture of a SQL 2005 BI. They involve OLTP, ETL, DW, OLAP, and query and reporting (Reporting Services).

The author describes each step in a case method so the reader can understand when and how SQL 2005 BI can be utilized to meet a business requirement.

I have found author's suggestions on buildling an effective DW and how it relates to building an effective OLAP Cube to be particularly useful.

The downside is that this is not particularly detailed and it is missing many pieces such as MDX. But it is not meant to be a comprehensive reference but a mere introduction to the possibilities of SQL 2005 BI. To that end, the book does its job well.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-10-08 06:47:21 EST)

01-30-08

2\3

Extremely Practical and Hands-On BI Book

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! On a topic that regrettably, is otherwise extremely short on practical and accessible information - Practical BI achieves that in a very effective and concise manner, introducing practical BI concepts and terminology then applying them.

John and Roger cover off the Microsoft BI platform quite admirably. The heart of Practical BI is constructing real-world solutions. Each chapter consists of a case study that begins with the customer's business goals, and then guides you through to the solution in a detailed and thorough manner - complete with source code that actually works - fully and completely.

That's the kicker for me - the source code provided along with the book covers the cost of the book - many times over. It is very reassuring to fall back on the solid working source examples, and to pick up from where you have the time and desire to apprentice. It is a pleasure to work through this book - the lessons take, even novices, a long way down the road to mastering Microsoft's BI world.

For my BI Intro Presentation to our Toronto SQL User Group - TSQL.ca, I will be presenting exclusively large sections of this book. The book gets you anxious to roll up your sleeves and get working in BI. The case study examples are very pertinent to the real world. Well done John and Roger!

(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-18 17:14:45 EST)

01-30-08

(NA)

Extremely Practical and Hands-On BI Book

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! I n a very effective and concise manner, the book introduces practical BI concepts and terminology, and covers off the Microsoft BI platform admirably. The heart of the book is constructing real-world solutions. Each chapter-length case study begins with the customer's business goals, and then guides you through detailed data modeling. And here's the biggie: the source code provided with the book really covers the cost of the book - many times over. It is very reassuring to fall back on the solid working source examples, and to pick up from where you have the time and desire to apprentice. It is a pleasure to work through this book as the lessons take, even novices, a long way down the road to mastering the Microsoft BI world.
For my BI Intro Presentation to my Toronto SQL User Group - TSQL.ca, I will be presenting exclusively large sections of this book. You'll want to roll up your sleeves and actually get working in BI. The case study examples are very pertinent to the real world. Well done John and Roger!

(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-02-23 20:52:57 EST)

01-28-08

(NA)

The definitive guide to SQL Server Business Intelligence

This book delivers exactly what the title promises -- A practical guide to learning and understanding Microsoft SQL Server 2005 BI. I've purchased more than a dozen books on the subject. This is the one that offers the most understandable and concise explanation of the capabilities of the product without a lot of fluff. It is my "go to" guide whenever I need a refresher.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-31 07:09:19 EST)

10-20-07

(NA)

First job on a data warehouse

I recently started my first job as a full time dba using sql server 2005 and am working on a data warehouse for the first time. This book helped me immensely in understanding what I am doing and how to do it. It's a steep learning curve in a tough environment but immensely rewarding.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-28 12:28:53 EST)

02-24-07

(NA)

Getting the job done -- and delivering value -- on time

Data warehouse projects are notorious for running late, costing a fortune, and failing to deliver much more than a conference room full of fancy flow sheets. I worked on developing a complex data warehouse in the years before SQL Server 2005, and I wish this book had been available when I started.

Although this book provides a good overview of the pertinent features of SQL Server 2005, it is not an enclycopedia of Analysis and Reporting Services. That is ok. The greatest value is in having each topic area organized around an practical example, and in presenting the example from a business-value and project-management approach that too many IT "experts" fail to apply:

1. Clarify the business problem that needs to be solved.

2. Define how to meet the business requirments

3. Design the architecture and data model

5. Work up the technical solution (testing along the way)

6. Manage the deployment, security, updating, and maintanence issues

The book also has a healthy focus on the real issues of data quality. Along the way, the authors sprinkle gems about why some approaches work better than others.

Programmers who are not responsible for project design can still benefit from knowing how a well-run project would work. And anyone responsible for Business Intelligence projects definitely needs the knowledge contained in this book.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-09-07 23:47:06 EST)

02-24-07

(NA)

Getting the job done -- and delivering value -- on time