Microsoft has just released an update to the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) with the creation of Business Intelligence Developer credential. It looks like you only need to sit two exams to become a Business Intelligence Developer.
This qualification is a step up from the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialists in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence (MCTS: SQL Server 2005 BI).
The training material is available but the exams are not available until early 2007. It might be a good time to start looking into getting this certification.
Check out:
MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer
MCTS: SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Tips, Tricks, and Advice from the SQL Server Query Optimization Team
A colleague of mine has just introduced me to one of the best blogs I have seen in along while. The Tips, Tricks, and Advice is brought to you by the SQL Server Query Optimization Team.
Here are some of my favourite posts on the performance features of SQL 2005 Query Optimizer. Check out the following:
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
SQL Server 2005 Skill Assessments
Microsoft has released a series of free skill tests that are well worth trying. There are tests covering most Microsoft products. There are two categories that I have given a go.
Monday, September 04, 2006
This Months Book Recommendation: Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit
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
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
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.
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