The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit : With SQL Server 2005 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset
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| The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit : With SQL Server 2005 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This groundbreaking book is the first in the Kimball Toolkit series to be product-specific. Microsoft’s BI toolset has undergone significant changes in the SQL Server 2005 development cycle. SQL Server 2005 is the first viable, full-functioned data warehouse and business intelligence platform to be offered at a price that will make data warehousing and business intelligence available to a broad set of organizations. This book is meant to offer practical techniques to guide those organizations through the myriad of challenges to true success as measured by contribution to business value.
Building a data warehousing and business intelligence system is a complex business and engineering effort. While there are significant technical challenges to overcome in successfully deploying a data warehouse, the authors find that the most common reason for data warehouse project failure is insufficient focus on the business users and business problems. In an effort to help people gain success, this book takes the proven Business Dimensional Lifecycle approach first described in best selling The Data Warehouse Lifecycle Toolkit and applies it to the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 tool set. Beginning with a thorough description of how to gather business requirements, the book then works through the details of creating the target dimensional model, setting up the data warehouse infrastructure, creating the relational atomic database, creating the analysis services databases, designing and building the standard report set, implementing security, dealing with metadata, managing ongoing maintenance and growing the DW/BI system. All of these steps tie back to the business requirements. Each chapter describes the practical steps in the context of the SQL Server 2005 platform. Intended Audience The target audience for this book is the IT department or service provider (consultant) who is:
The book will be directed primarily at the project leader and the warehouse developers, although everyone involved with a data warehouse project will find the book useful. Some of the book’s content will be more technical than the typical project leader will need; other chapters and sections will focus on business issues that are interesting to a database administrator or programmer as guiding information. The book is focused on the mass market, where the volume of data in a single application or data mart is less than 500 GB of raw data. While the book does discuss issues around handling larger warehouses in the Microsoft environment, it is not exclusively, or even primarily, concerned with the unusual challenges of extremely large datasets. About the Authors JOY MUNDY has focused on data warehousing and business intelligence since the early 1990s, specializing in business requirements analysis, dimensional modeling, and business intelligence systems architecture. Joy co-founded InfoDynamics LLC, a data warehouse consulting firm, then joined Microsoft WebTV to develop closed-loop analytic applications and a packaged data warehouse. Before returning to consulting with the Kimball Group in 2004, Joy worked in Microsoft SQL Server product development, managing a team that developed the best practices for building business intelligence systems on the Microsoft platform. Joy began her career as a business analyst in banking and finance. She graduated from Tufts University with a BA in Economics, and from Stanford with an MS in Engineering Economic Systems. WARREN THORNTHWAITE has been building data warehousing and business intelligence systems since 1980. Warren worked at Metaphor for eight years, where he managed the consulting organization and implemented many major data warehouse systems. After Metaphor, Warren managed the enterprise-wide data warehouse development at Stanford University. He then co-founded InfoDynamics LLC, a data warehouse consulting firm, with his co-author, Joy Mundy. Warren joined up with WebTV to help build a world class, multi-terabyte customer focused data warehouse before returning to consulting with the Kimball Group. In addition to designing data warehouses for a range of industries, Warren speaks at major industry conferences and for leading vendors, and is a long-time instructor for Kimball University. Warren holds an MBA in Decision Sciences from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and a BA in Communications Studies from the University of Michigan. RALPH KIMBALL, PH.D., has been a leading visionary in the data warehouse industry since 1982 and is one of today's most internationally well-known authors, speakers, consultants, and teachers on data warehousing. He writes the "Data Warehouse Architect" column for Intelligent Enterprise (formerly DBMS) magazine. |
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| 02-10-08 | 3 | (NA) |
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The book does a good job describing academic theory. Despite the title, there is very little in the book that relates specifically to SQL Server.
The book has no discussion on SQL DMX, the language used to manipulate data warehouses. (Review Data Last Updated: 2008-02-11 08:10:31 EST)
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| 09-21-07 | 5 | (NA) |
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I bought this book for a class. It is very complete. I am an IT person who need this sense of Business Size of BI while I am updating my SQL Server skills. I recommend this book.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-11-30 07:43:35 EST)
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| 07-04-07 | 4 | 2\2 |
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Having spent more time doing data warehousing than reading about it, I didn't realize what a phenomenon the Kimball Method had become. I was interviewing with a company that mentioned Kimball and wanted to use his methods to build a data warehouse on SQL Server 2005, so I turned to Amazon, found this book, used my Amazon Prime to get the tome and got the job. So how was the book? Honestly, it covers the Kimball Method well and most experienced analysts will not find much new other than the jargon. The practical advice from Mundy and Thornthwaite is valuable and will help you make some practical decisions on implementation, if not spell out all the steps. My feeling was that if you are comfortable with implementing data marts or data warehouses, this book will give you the advice you need for setting up a SQL Server 2005 data warehouse and implementing Analysis Services. For a more in depth look at how to implement Analysis Services, I recommend Melomed's book as a follow on.
The only complaint I have with this book is it over sells SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) as an ETL tool. That is probably Mundy's Microsoft viewpoint speaking rather than actual experience with the tool. After using SSIS, I look at it as Data Transformation Services (DTS) with a nice face on it, but really its just lipstick on the same pig. I have picked up several books on SSIS to try find out how to do all the wonderful things it promises, but they pretty much echo the documentatiion, so I can't really recommend any of them. Overall, this is book well worth reading. After spending the last year on an Oracle/Teradata project, its refreshing to get back to SQL Server 2005 and Analysis Services. If you are just making the jump to data warehousing on SQL Server 2005, this is a must read. If you are already familiar with Kimball, you will skip a lot but get some good implementation advice and that makes it worth the price. If you want to know more about MDX or SSIS, this isn't what you are looking for. (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-09-21 19:53:53 EST)
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| 03-14-07 | 2 | 0\2 |
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I found this a frustrating book. Eventually I skipped this first 43 pages of introduction plus 120 first pages of the book proper. I felt the authors were more interested in using esoteric language than actually showing how to use the product. If you're trying to baffle someone with tech-speak, this is the book for you. If you have a deadline, and are trying to actually accomplish something, I would suggest looking elsewhere. Disappointed.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-11 03:23:32 EST)
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| 03-13-07 | 2 | (NA) |
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I found this a frustrating book. Eventually I skipped this first 43 pages of introduction plus 120 first pages of the book proper. I felt the authors were more interested in using esoteric language than actually showing how to use the product. If you're trying to baffle someone with tech-speak, this is the book for you. If you have a deadline, and are trying to actually accomplish something, I would suggest looking elsewhere. Disappointed.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-04-11 03:48:48 EST)
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| 02-19-07 | 5 | (NA) |
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Having inherited a mature DW, I was weak on the Theory behind what I was supporting. I needed to be able to be confident of not breaking the current system, but still be able to take this vital system forward with the business. I am also under the Time pressure that we all work with. This book gave thorough but clear explanations of the concepts that underlie DW/BI solutions and then went on to particularise these explanations with details based on SQL Server. I am still working through it, but it is a pleasure rather than a chore.
Thanks for the great work that you and the editorial team put into this book. JK. (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-11 03:23:32 EST)
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| 01-24-07 | 5 | 1\1 |
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Mundy and Thornthwaite provide the knowledgeable SQL Server technician with many of the soft and hard tools required to deliver a successful BI project. And even if most beginners might miss most of the authors' finer points and hard earned wisdom, they'll still be further ahead on a steep learning curve.
Only wish the Kimball team had written the same book for Analysis Server 2000. It'd have saved me much time! ;-) (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-11 03:23:32 EST)
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| 01-19-07 | 5 | 0\1 |
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This is a good book.I have used for my master's course work.The service of the the Amazon is good.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-05 20:06:22 EST)
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| 01-18-07 | 5 | 0\1 |
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This is a good book.I have used for my master's course work.The service of the the Amazon is good.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-03-25 08:47:25 EST)
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| 10-12-06 | 4 | 3\5 |
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I won't bore you with another rendition of the books praises, enough other people have already written them below. What I will tell you is what is not enough or missing: The word toolkit to me implies that there are tools included (i.e. a cd or dvd) - there is none. Many things are discussed and examples given where a CD with code, sample questionaires, sample project plans ( in standard tool formats such as MS Project) and such would have been welcome. This downgrades the books usefullness for me.
I would also like to see more verbage addressing the various project methods/ frameworks such as RUP (IBM's Rational U. P.) as regards the creation of the project plans and Data Warehouses. For those seeking more of a detailed How-To format will be left wanting more... You'll find this happening in most of the recent Kimball books. So examine your needs in detail, before purchasing the book, there is very little hand holding or quick starts to this book. (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-11 03:23:32 EST)
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| 08-07-06 | 3 | 14\14 |
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Excellent book for middle to upper management to learn the 10,000 foot overview of data warehousing. Reading this book can give you all the jargon you'll need to smooze your fellow IT personnel across a conference room table about data warehousing.
Unfortunately, I was looking for a book that would actually spell out HOW TO use SQL Server 2005 Integration Services and Analysis Services. (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-03-25 08:47:25 EST)
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| 08-02-06 | 3 | 2\2 |
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Basically, the kimball group , joined the book The Data Warehouse Lifecycle Toolkit (TDWLT) + MS BI Toolset.
Equally like in all the books of Kimball Group, does more emphasizes is the roadmap end to end for the solutions of BI. This book in contrast to the TDWLT, does more emphasis on the skills related to the design and construction of the front-end of BI. Finally it is a book more focused in methodology than in technology MS BI. For the technologies MS BI (Integration Services, Olap Services, Reporting Services), I recommend to read any book of the series Wrox,these books have a more interesting practical approach. NSV (La Plata - BA - AR) (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-11-03 16:04:18 EST)
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| 07-10-06 | 5 | 2\2 |
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After attending a remarkable presentation by Joy at TechEd in Boston, I purchased this book, and I am glad I did. Working hand in hand with the Business Intelligence group throughout the course of writing really shows - technical accuracy is very high.
Of course, the same process quality you always expect from Kimball Group books is present too. I especially was interested in the SSIS advice. I found everything I needed, even skiping ahead to read those chapters first (which I don't recommend usually, but I was in a hurry). (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-11-03 16:04:18 EST)
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| 06-28-06 | 5 | 1\1 |
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Let me say, this is an absolutely WONDERFUL book. I originally bought Teo Lachev's book. It is technically very good and I will keep it around, but The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit is absolutely outstanding in the way it takes you by the hand and walks you step-by-step through all the initial stages of a DW/BI project -- an area in which Lachev's book is somewhat lacking. Since we are doing a new, first time DW/BI effort at my company, this book - and indeed several of the Kimball books - will be invaluable.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-11-03 16:04:18 EST)
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| 04-11-06 | 5 | 1\2 |
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The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit is a comprehensive overview of this technology that will surely be ubiquitous. It is refreshingly honest about the wonders and warts, and chock full of practical guidance about how to really make a project succeed using Microsoft tools. This book is a worthy addition to the outstanding Kimball Toolkit series. It is essential reading for anyone evaluating or implementing Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for business intelligence applications.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-11-03 16:04:18 EST)
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| 03-19-06 | 4 | 6\8 |
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I have read a 100 pages thus far, and I will read the rest. The book continues to refer the reader to read "The Data Warehouse Toolkit" (Second Edition), by Ralph Kimball. I recommend purchasing the latter book. I have read it, and it is more helpful than this book.
TC (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 12:57:35 EST)
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| 03-16-06 | 5 | 4\4 |
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This is the first book I bought alongside with Data Mining with SQL Server 2005 for my first ever data BI project.
Having spent a few years designing and architecturing conventional database application, it has long puzzled me is there a framework available for people to build BI solutions? Or are there any process out there to build BI solutions? I also question whether the conventional wisdom in building OLTP DB apps apply to building BI applications. With the Kimball Group name heard a few times when I was browsing thru datawarehousing books, I believe this group of people are the authority in building Enterprise grade data warehouse. True enough I learnt about Business Dimension Lifecycle that was production proven and how it is practically implemented with Microsoft SQL Server 2005. It is also one of the few books which introduce me to how to define a metadata model. Last but not the least, the book presented an end to end overview on operation and maintenance of a datawarehouse. If you are a PM, architect, or developer who is try to get a kick on building BI solution on MS platform, this is the book you should read before anything else. (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 12:57:35 EST)
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| 03-11-06 | 5 | 10\10 |
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Perhaps, like me, you consider yourself a data warehousing professional with some hard-won expertise? Perhaps you too have stockpiled a number of assumptions about "what works" and "what doesn't" when it comes to building large, grown-up data warehouses? Candidly - for me - the "what doesn't" category - for some years now - has included the Microsoft SQL Server DBMS. This perception was shaped by some bad experiences - 100 years ago - with early SQL Server products. Beautiful interfaces and literature promising administration-lite databasing did little to instill confidence back then, and (in my unscientific survey) the products failed way too frequently (and sometimes in spectacular fashion) when dealing with data volumes larger than a breadbox. But, in typical Microsoft fashion, the shortcomings of these early releases get addressed - slowly yet relentlessly - over time. And I've known for awhile that I'm seriously remiss in having a second serious look at Microsoft's data warehousing suite.
Enter Warren Thornthwaite and Joy Mundy's terrific new book: "The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit": The clearly written and lint-free text describes the now-mature suite of Microsoft data warehousing technologies and tools in the context of the super-powerful Ralph Kimball design techniques that are now fully recognized as best practice in the field. Warren & Joy provide expert advice in how to leverage these tools to build industrial-strength, contemporary, end-to-end business intelligence solutions. This is another home run from the Kimball Group. None of the tough design challenges in the Kimball Toolkit series have been glossed over, and the authors are refreshingly candid in their advice on how best to exploit the MS tools' strengths - with pragmatic advice on how best to dodge their weaknesses. The power of Ralph's design techniques, in concert with the undeniably compelling price/performance of the MS product line, is going to be very disruptive to the data warehousing status quo. I believe that we specialists in the field have a choice: embrace this new reality, or quietly fade away. Sadly, I'm in no position to retire yet, so I choose the former. The "Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit" has actually got me excited about building my first end-to-end Microsoft data warehouse. Given my historical biases - believe me - there can be no stronger endorsement! Congratulations to the authors for a wonderful contribution to the field. Jim Stagnitto Data Warehouse Architect Llumino, Inc. (www.llumino.com) (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 12:57:35 EST)
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| 02-26-06 | 5 | 9\9 |
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This book brings together the Kimball Groups solid work around Dimensional Modeling with Microsoft's latest version of SQL Server. While the other books by the Kimball Group have excelled on explaining Dimensional Modeling, they often fell short in giving practical advice for implementation. For example the ETL Toolkit frequently used awd, sed, etc. - although often found in legacy systems these tools generally aren't the first choice when building a new DW. The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit took the hit (chose a vendor) and uses SQL Server's Integration Services, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, etc. to build very practical and useful examples. And through excellent use of references to the other Kimball Group books and a `conformed' terminology approach this book serves as an excellent guide for building a Data Warehouse in SQL Server 2005.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 12:57:35 EST)
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| 02-20-06 | 5 | 7\7 |
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Absolutely loving the book! It's exactly what I was looking for... practical advice for applying the Kimball Method to the new SQL2005 toolset. Their experience with the toolset bleeds through the pages. (And how much experience they have with SQL2005 is amazing considering when it went RTM!) Highly recommended.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 12:57:35 EST)
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| 02-10-06 | 5 | 15\16 |
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It should come as no surprise to readers of Ralph Kimball's work that this latest offering from two members of the Kimball Group is every bit as insightful, practical, and useful as previous books in the toolkit series.
This book is not another "condensed software manual" nor is it an idealized or theoretic idea of how someone thinks a project ought to be done. Rather, this book is "roll up your sleeves, hands on, this is how to make it work in the real world" kind of material from authors who have been there and done that many times over. Experience is a dear teacher, especially in data warehousing, and Joy, Warren, and Ralph freely share their insights. At pertinent points, they provide pointers to external references for digging deeper. An example of this are the references provided on page 411 related to image density and information display. The companion web site already has several useful tools and the collection will likely grow in the coming weeks. While this book builds on the previous Data Warehouse Toolkit, Data Warehouse Lifecycle Toolkit, and Data Warehouse ETL Toolkit books, it is self contained and comprehensive. The previous books provide much additional detail of course. This book takes those ideas and shows us how to implement them using Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 suite of tools. Instead of providing a bunch of disjoint "tips" or examples, a complete project is taken from start to finish to show how the design choices and strategies - based on requirements - lead to implementation choices and techniques and how all the components are brought together in a comprehensive end result. The book hadn't been on my desk 30 minutes before co-workers were already trying to borrow it. I think they each need to buy their own copy! (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 12:57:35 EST)
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