How to handle SSRS multi-value parameter filtering in SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse August 23, 2018 by Sifiso W. Ndlovu Experienced business intelligence (BI) developers would tell you that as you move from one project to another, some requirements start becoming repetitive like you have dealt with them before. One such repetitive requirement occurs during SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) development wherein a client would request that a report parameter be configured to allow multiple values from a dataset that is populated by stored procedure, as illustrated in Figure 1. Read more »
Replace bridge tables in a Data Warehouse with SQL Server 2017 graph database March 8, 2018 by Sifiso W. Ndlovu Just like in Santa’s Bag of Goodies, every release of SQL Server often has something for everyone – be it enhancements to DMVs for the DBAs, new functions for T-SQL developers or new SSIS control tasks for ETL developers. Likewise, the ability to effectively support many-to-many relationships type in SQL Graph has ensured that there is indeed something in it for the data warehouse developers in SQL Server 2017. In this article, we take you through the challenges of modelling many-to-many relationships in relational data warehouse environments and later demonstrate how data warehouse teams can take advantage of the many-to-many relationship feature in SQL Server 2017 Graph Database to effectively model and support their data warehouse solutions. Read more »
How to quickly generate a large number of dimension tables for reporting applications January 19, 2018 by Ed Pollack Description When building reporting structures, we typically have the need to build fact and dimension tables to support the apps that will consume this data. Sometimes we need to generate large numbers of dimension tables to support application needs, such as in Tableau, Entity Framework, or Power BI. Creating this schema by hand is time-consuming and error-prone. Automating it can be a way to improve predictability, maintainability, and save a ton of time in the process! Read more »
SQL Server Data Warehouse design best practice for Analysis Services (SSAS) April 4, 2017 by Thomas LeBlanc Before jumping into creating a cube or tabular model in Analysis Service, the database used as source data should be well structured using best practices for data modeling. Some might say use Dimensional Modeling or Inmon’s data warehouse concepts while others say go with the future, Data Vault. No matter what conceptual path is taken, the tables can be well structured with the proper data types, sizes and constraints. Read more »
How to use Package Parts to develop easily maintainable Data Warehouse solutions March 24, 2017 by Sifiso W. Ndlovu Whilst discussing the evolution of SQL Server Data Tools in my previous article, I touched on a new feature, Package Parts, which is available in SSDT 2015. This article takes an in-depth analysis of the Package Parts feature, particularly, as it relates to Data Warehouse development. Read more »
Temporal Table applications in SQL Data Warehouse environments March 7, 2017 by Hans Michiels Today the subject of investigation is the Temporal Table, which is a new feature in SQL Server 2016. My focus will slightly be on how to use it in Data Warehouse environments, but there is some general information passing by as I write. Read more »
SQL Server Business Intelligence – Expanding fact tables in an established data warehouse May 30, 2014 by Evan Barke Introduction As in often the case in life, things that sound simple are not always the easiest things to do. In computer science this is even more often the case. In fact, one of the most challenging things about information technology work is often the communication with bosses that know little about technology and require justification for time spent on seemingly simple tasks. However, by the same token, tasks that seem impossible to the untrained eye are often fairly straightforward and quick to implement and can earn you easy respect. Read more »
