Featured Article(s)
Tips for using SQL Server 2005 Query Hints (Part 2)
Here are some helpful tips to optimize your SQL Server 2005 queries by using hints.
Business Intelligence – Moving from Office to More Customized Solutions
Some solid feedback from a number of readers about how you approach BI solutions. Essentially, the question was about when you move from an Office-based solution to a dedicated reporting or query or analysis solution. With so much emphasis on the integration of Office tools and your SQL Servers, it seems like the line is moving toward the more complex being able to be done in native tools. This brings up all sorts of security, control best practices and compliance challenges, but that’s another article…
Michael: "In my experience I’ve found that there is a point which I have to make the transition. Many times I’ll use Excel to handle the macro operations, finding the large items and give myself a chance to eyeball them. Then I use what I find in my spreadsheet to create my TSQL queries and start using one of my query tools, sometimes I put it straight into an SSRS report from there."
Joe: "How Do You Do BI with SQL Server?
In order of precedence:
– Visual Studio 2005
– SSAS cubes
– Reporting Services
– Excel
– Dundas Charting
– SSIS
– Access 2003 for importing Excel and Flat files"
I have to say – I though this order was interesting – if we’re moving down the list, we hit SSAS (analysis services) before Excel – if up the list, we’re going after SSIS before charting and Excel. I’ve always thought of Excel as the starting point, not the more complex toolset to go for analysis and such. Interesting…
Michael #2: "This is a very interesting topic that I am dealing with right now. In the past for analytical applications I have used SSAS and Excel as the user interface tool. This worked well for the software package that we sold because most of the end users were accountants that liked Excel. Now I am tasked with trying to understand what tools will work best internally for applications at my company and also externally for the applications we develop. I am curious to hear what other people are doing."
More to come – send in your thoughts here.
Featured White Paper(s)
Rock On as a SQL DBA – The More You Know, the Better Off You Are
As a SQL Server DBA, you may have already begun to experience the phenomenon of dependency creep where more and more there ar… (read more)