Book: Foundations of SQL Business Intelligence

Author: Lynn Langit

 

            Business Intelligence is a method of storing and presenting key enterprise data. Today, storing data inside of tables with just columns and rows does not make everyday business data easily accessible. Data must be manipulated and transformed into information. Cube structures are created in addition to just plain old tables that we are all familiar with. Cubes make data more accessible by combining and manipulating the data from database tables into specific divisions of an enterprise. So, managers of each division can easily combine and manipulate data into their reports, from each of their respective cube, to the enterprise.

 

            Data is transferred from database tables into cubes by the ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) process. Microsoft has made this process possible to developers through SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005. Microsoft provides tools that enable developers in SQL and Microsoft Office 2007 to implement, execute, and present the results of this process to their users. These tools also enable you to model in OLAP. Add SQL server 2005 reporting services to the mix and then you have a very powerful tool for data mining. This book has complete and detailed steps on how to use all of these tools to create a Business Intelligence solution that is right for your enterprise and its divisions.