Foundations of SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence

This book is very good introduction to the product if you are new to the MS Sql BI.

Notes: After I went through this book I realized that this is not a hands-on, tutorial type of book. It's more a comprehensive overview of all the aspects of using SQL Serve 2005 to do BI. This book alone is not sufficient for building up a working knowledge of doing BI using SQL Server 2005. But it's still a good overview. It mentioned a lot of concepts and techniques without going into detail. You need to take those "words" and google for the details when you really need to make them work for you. I wish I had read this book earlier! I have been reading almost all the SQL Server related BI books and this one stands out as the best yet. 1. It uses the AdventureWorksDW to illustrate the whole process. 2. It covers all aspects of BI using SQL Server 2005 3. Very practical. From the get-go, it introduced Excel Pivottable and PivotChart to explore Adventure works cube. This is the only book if I remember it correctly to mention and illustrate the use of Pivottable for OLAP. Everything is explained lucidly. It resolved almost all my confusion about BI using SQL server analysis services. It shines and far better than any other books out there, partly probably because it's the latest publication on this topic. I would also highly recommend another book, "Fast Track to MDX" if you want to enjoy working with BI. I don't recommend you to read "MDX solutions" if you are a beginner for MDX. I mistakenly started my journey on MDX from "MDX solutions" and it almost ruined my ambition to work in the BI fields because that book is just making learning MDX a nightmare. On the other hand, "Fast Track to MDX" is a joy to read.

Lynn definitely knows the material. I have had the occasion to sit in on a couple of live presentations from her on this subject and she truly knows the topic from a real-world perspective. Although BI is a deep and complex subject, Lynn gets right to business to help you start building your reports and dataviews in a practical and productive manner. This is a great starting point for people wishing to get up to speed on BI using the Microsoft tools as well as a good review for those already comfortable in these waters.

I am new to BI. I needed a book to explain BI and the toolset in the SQL Server 2005. As I have been developing applciations for the last 8 years using Microsoft only technologies therefore I wanted to use SQL Server 2005 for BI path. I found this book very valuable for a new commer to BI like me. I have gone through only some of the chapters but it has started to make sense. The explanation is very clear and it shows that the writer knows the subject very well. Good arrangement of chapters. Not a boring book. I think after reading this book and going through all the excercises one would have a very good understanding of the subject and how to use to SQL server 2005 BI toolset. I would say this book puts you above the intermediate level from where you can understand the more complex books. Essential for someone wanting to choose BI as career path. Top work Lynn.

This book is indispensable. It will help expand my limited knowledge in the business intelligence space from FICO scoring and SAS programs to a wider universe.