After TechEd I realised that in my slide deck I did not recommend The Microsoft Data Warehouse ToolKit by Joy Mundy and Warren Thornthwaite as required reading before starting a BI project.
If you are new to BI or new to the SQL Server 2005 BI platform this book is a great starting point. This book covers an end to end BI solution on the SQL server 2005 platform. The book covers a Reference Architecture for implementing a Microsoft BI Solution.
The book also includes a case study using the Adventure works example database as the source for an end to end BI solution. All the sample code can be downloaded from www.msftdwtoolkit.com
Monday, September 04, 2006
Thursday, August 31, 2006
My TechEd session Ready for download
My TechEd session on Delivering an End to End Business Intelligence is now up on Microsoft for download.
Check out: BIN213.ppt
Check out: BIN213.ppt
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Project REAL Reference Implementation
I have just come across a new download from project real. It’s a complete business intelligence reference implementation. I am currently downloading the 238.2 mb sample. It looks like it a good example of an end to end solution.
Check out: Reference Implementation
Check out: Reference Implementation
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
New Zealand TechEd Is Finally Here!
TechEd 06 has been a sold out event for a number of weeks now. It sold out in record time. For those you that are not aware, Microsoft NZ TechEd is the largest annual IT conference in New Zealand with over 2000 delegates attending.
This year I am presenting again. I am lucky enough to have one very comprehensive session on Business Intelligence.
BIN213 - Delivering an End to End Business Intelligence Solution on Monday 21st Aug 2:00:00 p.m. to 3:15:00 p.m.
My session is going to cover a detailed overview of implementing Microsoft Business Intelligence solutions. I am covering topics such as SQL Server 2005, SSIS, Analysis Services 2005, Reporting Services 2005, Office 2007 and ProClarity.
I am also looking at the business reasons behind BI projects. In the demonstrations I will show an integrated architecture for a Microsoft BI platform.
Ok it’s a lot to cover. So I will also be about on the HP stand this year to go through any questions or demos you would like to discuss in detail.
If you have registered for TechEd you need to login to CommNet and book your session schedule.
For complete schedule information see Nigel Parkers Blog
This year I am presenting again. I am lucky enough to have one very comprehensive session on Business Intelligence.
BIN213 - Delivering an End to End Business Intelligence Solution on Monday 21st Aug 2:00:00 p.m. to 3:15:00 p.m.
My session is going to cover a detailed overview of implementing Microsoft Business Intelligence solutions. I am covering topics such as SQL Server 2005, SSIS, Analysis Services 2005, Reporting Services 2005, Office 2007 and ProClarity.
I am also looking at the business reasons behind BI projects. In the demonstrations I will show an integrated architecture for a Microsoft BI platform.
Ok it’s a lot to cover. So I will also be about on the HP stand this year to go through any questions or demos you would like to discuss in detail.
If you have registered for TechEd you need to login to CommNet and book your session schedule.
For complete schedule information see Nigel Parkers Blog
Thursday, August 03, 2006
SQL Server Versions
I have lost count the number of times I go searching for the patch level or version number in SQL.
This was something I did all the time with SQL 2000. It all started when SP 2 came out. We started to get issues with dts packages that were developed on SP1 and then run SP2. The problem was the package format changed between versions. Hence the question what version I am really running?
Why have I brought this up you may ask? Because now that we have SP1 for SQL Server 2005 and the rollup hotfix. We now have three versions of SQL Server 2005 that are in support by Microsoft.
How Do I get the Version of SQL Server?
The easiest and most reliable is the T-SQL Statement below:
SELECT @@Version
There are of course lots of other methods but I prefer T-SQL. This works for SQL 7 and above. The statement returns the SQL Server edition, version, OS and OS Patch number, and the most important the SQL Build Number for Sqlservr.exe.
The build number will tell you the patch level of your SQL Server.
Build Numbers for SQL Server 2005
This was something I did all the time with SQL 2000. It all started when SP 2 came out. We started to get issues with dts packages that were developed on SP1 and then run SP2. The problem was the package format changed between versions. Hence the question what version I am really running?
Why have I brought this up you may ask? Because now that we have SP1 for SQL Server 2005 and the rollup hotfix. We now have three versions of SQL Server 2005 that are in support by Microsoft.
How Do I get the Version of SQL Server?
The easiest and most reliable is the T-SQL Statement below:
SELECT @@Version
There are of course lots of other methods but I prefer T-SQL. This works for SQL 7 and above. The statement returns the SQL Server edition, version, OS and OS Patch number, and the most important the SQL Build Number for Sqlservr.exe.
The build number will tell you the patch level of your SQL Server.
Build Numbers for SQL Server 2005
- 2005.90.1399 - RTM first commercial release of SQL Server 2005
- 2005.90.2047 - Service Pack 1 for SQL Server 2005 see: How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2005
- 2005.9.0.2153 - Rollup hotfix for SQL Server 2005 see: Cumulative hotfix package (build 2153) for SQL Server 2005
Other Build versions
There are heaps of sources for this information. Listed below are some helpful links for earlier versions of SQL Server and software update naming conventions.
How to identify your SQL Server version and edition
New naming schema for Microsoft SQL Server software update packages
Monday, July 24, 2006
New Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence Example
I have just come across a new set of sample databases for SQL Server 2005. Some of the examples are based on Project Real Business Intelligence best practices project. Based on a real world implementation of SQL Server 2005 by Microsoft.
Check out: SQL Server 2005 Samples and Sample Databases (July 2006)
Check out: SQL Server 2005 Samples and Sample Databases (July 2006)
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Installation of SQL Server Service Pack 1 by Windows Update???
The other day something happened to my laptop that took me completely by surprise. Windows Update decided SQL2005 SP1 was a critical patch. And proceeded to download and install SP1.
Although this isn’t an issue for me at then moment as I was going to install the Service Pack. I was taken a back with Windows Update installing it in the first place.
Like most DB pros I prefer to manage the database patch level on my own. I can see this kind of service pack roll out causing problems for IT Administrators and DBAs a like. Particularly with SQL express instances that are managed by business users.
Although this isn’t an issue for me at then moment as I was going to install the Service Pack. I was taken a back with Windows Update installing it in the first place.
Like most DB pros I prefer to manage the database patch level on my own. I can see this kind of service pack roll out causing problems for IT Administrators and DBAs a like. Particularly with SQL express instances that are managed by business users.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Kimball Group Webcasts
I have just come across a series of must see webcasts by the Kimball Group consultants that wrote The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit. I have not viewed them all yet. I am currently viewing the MSDN Architecture Webcast: Using SQL Server 2005 Integration Services to Populate a Kimball Method Data Warehouse (Level 200). Which I highly recomend.
Check out the other Kimball Group Webcasts at:http://www.microsoft.com/sql/solutions/bi/kimballwebcasts.mspx
Check out the other Kimball Group Webcasts at:http://www.microsoft.com/sql/solutions/bi/kimballwebcasts.mspx
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Free Tools that have made my SQL life a bit better
I normally don’t recommend tools on this blog. But over last month I have been working with couple of tools that are worth a mention.
The first tool on the list is SQL Prompt by Red-Gate. I have been a fan of red gate bloggers for a while now at http://www.simple-talk.com/. SQL Prompt is without a doubt one of the most useful ad-ins for SQL Management Studio and Query Analyzer. This little tool is Intellisense for SQL Server. This tool dynamically looks up common functions and syntax as you type. It’s a free download until September 2006.
Check out: SQL Prompt
The second tool was recommended to me by Chris Webb. It’s a replacement for SQL Manager for stoping and starting all of SQL Server 2000/2005 services created by Jasper Smith at SQLDBA.com
Check out: SQL Manager
The last tool on my list is a new migration script by Marco Russo. If you were like me and followed the DTS best practices guide that MS put out and used UDL data sources. You will find that are unable to migrate your DTS packages. Marco has put together a great tool for converting UDL and other DTS objects that do not migrate.
Check out: A tool to improve DTS to SSIS migration
The first tool on the list is SQL Prompt by Red-Gate. I have been a fan of red gate bloggers for a while now at http://www.simple-talk.com/. SQL Prompt is without a doubt one of the most useful ad-ins for SQL Management Studio and Query Analyzer. This little tool is Intellisense for SQL Server. This tool dynamically looks up common functions and syntax as you type. It’s a free download until September 2006.
Check out: SQL Prompt
The second tool was recommended to me by Chris Webb. It’s a replacement for SQL Manager for stoping and starting all of SQL Server 2000/2005 services created by Jasper Smith at SQLDBA.com
Check out: SQL Manager
The last tool on my list is a new migration script by Marco Russo. If you were like me and followed the DTS best practices guide that MS put out and used UDL data sources. You will find that are unable to migrate your DTS packages. Marco has put together a great tool for converting UDL and other DTS objects that do not migrate.
Check out: A tool to improve DTS to SSIS migration
Thursday, June 01, 2006
SQL Management Studio Short Cuts
I have been working with SQL Management Studio (SMS) a fair bit lately. Like most developers I always look for the standard short cuts that I used on Query Analyser. Below are a few of my favourites.
Commenting
I use these short cuts all the time to comment large sections of code. The comment style I prefer the most is dash form which I prefer too the slash style. -- Dash Comment /* Slash Comment */
Bookmarks
Ok so you are working on a massive script that travels for miles. Well then you better be using book marks to navigate that code. Bookmarks are great for moving through scripts and trouble shooting. Try out the following the next time you are working on a big script.
Commenting
I use these short cuts all the time to comment large sections of code. The comment style I prefer the most is dash form which I prefer too the slash style. -- Dash Comment /* Slash Comment */
- To comment in SQL management studio you must now do Ctrl+K, Ctrl+C instead of Ctrl+Shift+C in Query Analyzer.
- To uncomment in SQL management studio you must now do Ctrl+K, Ctrl+U instead of Ctrl+Shift+R in Query Analyzer.
Formatting
- To indent a block of code Select the code you would like to indent and press TAB to indent
- Shift+TAB to un-indent your code
- Word Warp long strings with Ctrl+E, Ctrl+W
- Make Uppercase Ctrl+Shift+U
- Make Lowercase Ctrl+Shift+L
Bookmarks
Ok so you are working on a massive script that travels for miles. Well then you better be using book marks to navigate that code. Bookmarks are great for moving through scripts and trouble shooting. Try out the following the next time you are working on a big script.
- Toggle Book Mark on/off and Crtl+K, Ctrl+K
- Enable all book marks Crtl+K, Ctrl+A
- Move to next bookmark Ctrl+K, Ctrl+N
- Move to previous bookmark Crtl+K, Ctrl+P
- Move to next bookmark folder Ctrl+Shift+K, Ctrl+Shift+N
- Move to previous bookmark folder Ctrl+Shift+K, Ctrl+Shift+P
- Clear book marks Ctrl+K, Ctrl+L
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