The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit: With SQL Server 2008 R2 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset

by Joy Mundy, Warren Thornthwaite, Ralph Kimball (Primary Contributor)

Best practices and invaluable advice from world-renowned data warehouse experts In this book, leading data warehouse experts from the Kimball Group share best practices for using the upcoming “Business Intelligence release” of SQL Server, referred to as SQL Server 2008 R2. In this new edition, the authors explain how SQL Server 2008 R2 provides a collection of powerful new tools that extend the power of its BI toolset to Excel and SharePoint users and they show how to use SQL Server to build a successful data warehouse that supports the business intelligence requirements that are common to most organizations. Covering the complete suite of data warehousing and BI tools that are part of SQL Server 2008 R2, as well as Microsoft Office, the authors walk you through a full project lifecycle, including design, development, deployment and maintenance. The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit, Second Edition provides you with the knowledge of how and when to use BI tools such as Analysis Services and Integration Services to accomplish your most essential data warehousing tasks.

Genres: Bisexual, Reference, Nonfiction, Technical, Computers, Technology, Programming

704 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2006

Reviews

[Mike Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good information if you want to build a Kimball style data warehouse with the end product being a data cube. A bit heavy on selling of consulting services, training, and other books from the Kimball Group. If you are looking to build a data cube using SQL Server this book is a great road map but it is rather dated now so you’ll have to turn to Microsoft Docs or Simple Talk to get the latest information on SQL Server.

[Roger Cogswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bit outdated now, but it is still some valuable information to know in working with the Microsoft stack for data management.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follows closely to Kimball's original data warehouse lifecycle toolkit book, but with one major difference. It's all couched in terms of Microsoft BI tools. I really liked it, because it gave more concrete examples of how to implement each section as well as some minor instructions. It also showed how a SSAS could be used and addressed some metadata/master data management concepts, which Kimball doesn't get into as much detail on. On the other hand, Kimball's more generic approach provides context on things like security or the more theoretical aspects that the books was lacking. For me, the tools helped me get a better grasp of data warehousing theory by example. I did have some exposure to SSRS, SSIS and cubes before reading this.

[Louis Marier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found very high level the references about Microsoft products so if you think this book will help you developing your SSIS package or SSAS cube well, maybe it will but I'm not so sure. Anyhow, I liked reading this book, like any other in the same category (Kimball Group).

[Niels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great description on how to build a data warehouse.
I do recommend it to the developers, technicians, managers, "architects", operators, ...