Professional SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 with MDX

The product came as ordered. I would order from this company again. I expected the product in a few weeks, it actually came a few days after I ordered. The book was in great condition.

I am a DBA, and bought this book hoping to learn quickly basics of implementing SSAS project. This book exceeded all my expectations. I would call it a practical tutorial on implementation with explanation of all aspects behind SSAS: basic theory, technologies, tools, security, connectivity. Not only it gives you hands-on approach to learning with 99.9% precision in samples, but also explains usage of Microsoft SQL Server 2005's related technologies: Integrated Services, Reporting Services. The scope of presenation is also very much oriented on practical needs of SSAS utilization. In short, I am 110% satisfied on my expectations for this book. Vladimir Kievsky

I needed to know quickly how to implement a BI solution and ordered three books: Delivering Business Intelligence with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 by Brian Larsen, Applied Microsoft Analysis Services by Teo Lachev, and this book. Of the tree books, this is the only one I really needed. This book had everything I wanted to know about Analysis Services. I was also impressed with the knowledge and information regarding how to design dimensions and cubes especially when it comes to tough situations such as how to apply security. If you need to implement a BI solution, I highly recommend this book.

I have over 9 years of database experience, with about 4 years in MS Data Warehousing experience which included Reporting Services and DTS. With the major improvements made with SQL Server 2005, this book allowed me to create a TOTAL business intelligence system which included SSIS, Analysis Services, MDX and Reporting. The book is easy to read and contains valuable information that I haven't seen in other books. I know following the information in this book is that the client received a top notch system from beginning to the end.

Microsoft has been extending the capabilities of their SQL Server product to make it more useful in enterprise environments. As is often the case, the first version of the product to make it to market isn't everything that the customer might want. In fact the authors make the comment that the user interface was about as complex as driving a nuclear submarine. The purpose of Analysis Services is to handle data warehousing and data mining applications where the goal is to look at the vast amounts of data stored in enterprise systems and extract information that will be useful to management. Because of the multiple places where data is typically stored, Analysis Services uses a distinct query language called MDX (Multi-Dimensional eXpressions) which is based on the Microsoft Visual Studio IDE. This book is part of the Wrox Professional to Professional series, and is not exactly a beginner book. You'd best have some basic understanding of databases before you start this one. The authors are a good combination. Dr. Harinath is a Ph.D. computer scientist and has been working in the development of Analysis Services. Mr. Quinn's degree is in psychology, so he has some understanding of what is needed in writing. This will probably be the definitive book on Analysis Services.