Designing and Implementing OLAP Solutions Using Microsoft SQL Server 2000

Introduction This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, implement, and deploy OLAP solutions by using Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services. Prerequisites Before attending this course, students must have: A basic understanding of database design, administration, and implementation concepts. A satisfactory level of comfort within the Microsoft Windows 2000 environment. Course Outline Module 1: Introduction to Data Warehousing and OLAP The following topics are covered in this module: Introducing Data Warehousing Defining OLAP Solutions Understanding Data Warehouse Design Understanding OLAP Models Applying OLAP Cubes At the end of this module, you will be able to explain the basic design of an OLAP solution. This includes: Describing characteristics, goals, and applications of a data warehouse. Understanding the need and use for OLAP solutions. Describing data warehouse design. Understanding the reasons for implementing OLAP models and describing their components. Visualizing a multidimensional database. Module 2: Introducing Analysis Manager Wizards The following topics are covered in this module: Defining Terms Previewing Analysis Manager Preparing to Create a Cube Building the Sales Cube Processing the Cube Viewing the Results At the end of this module, you will be able to use the Analysis Manager tools to create and process a cube. This includes: Describing Analysis Services components. Navigating through the basic interfaces of Analysis Manager. Preparing to create a cube by reviewing data sources and initiating the Cube Wizard. Creating an OLAP cube by using the Cube and Dimension Wizards. Processing a cube. Browsing the cube data and metadata by using the Analysis Manager browser. Module 3: Understanding Analysis Services Architecture The following topics are covered in this module: Overview Microsoft Data Warehousing Overview Analysis Services Components Metadata Repository Cube Storage Options Client Architecture Office 2000 OLAP Components At the end of this module, you will be able to explain the integration and interaction of the Analysis Services components. This includes: Describing the components of the Microsoft data warehouse strategy. Understanding the Analysis Services components. Describing the function of the Microsoft Metadata Repository. Explaining the basic differences between the three storage modes for OLAP cubes-multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP), relational OLAP (ROLAP), and hybrid OLAP (HOLAP). Understanding client architecture and the role of the Microsoft PivotTable Service. Recognizing Microsoft Office 2000 OLAP capabilities. Module 4: Building Dimensions Using the Dimension Editor The following topics are covered in this module: Understanding Dimension Basics Shared vs. Private Dimensions Working with Standard Dimensions Basic Level Properties Working with Parent-Child Dimensions At the end of this module, you will be able to build dimensions by using the Dimension Editor. This includes: Understanding dimension fundamentals. Knowing when to use shared and private dimensions. Describing the characteristics of standard dimensions. Adding level properties to dimensions. Developing parent-child dimensions. Module 5: Using Advanced Dimension Settings The following topics are covered in this module: Working with Levels and Hierarchies Working with Time Dimensions Creating Custom Rollups Introducing Member Properties Understanding Virtual Dimensions At the end of this module, you will be able to use various advanced dimension settings and methods to develop OLAP dimensions and cubes. This includes: Working with dimension levels and hierarchies. Understanding and working with time dimensions. Creating custom rollup dimensions. Defining member properties at dimension levels. Creating virtual dimensions from member properties and member levels. Module 6: Working with Cubes and Measures The following topics are covered in this module: Introduction to Cubes Working with Cubes Introduction to Measures Working with Measures Defining Cube Properties Using the Disabled Property At the end of this module, you will be able to use the Cube Editor to create and manipulate cubes, add measures and dimensions, and assign properties to improve cubes. This includes: Defining the required components of cubes. Creating cubes by using the Cube Editor. Describing the characteristics of measures. Assigning properties to measures. Modifying cube properties by using the Cube Editor. Disabling levels of shared dimensions. Module 7: Case Study - Creating the Store Expense Cube The following topics are covered in this module: Building the Store Expense Cube Updating the Store Expense Cube At the end of this module, you will be able to create a preliminary cube and make changes to the cube by applying dimension and level properties. This includes: Creating a cube based on user requirements. Updating dimensions and adding new dimensions to a cube. Module 8: Managing Storage and Optimization The following topics are covered in this module: Analysis Server Cube Storage The Storage Design Wizard Analysis Server Aggregations Usage-Based Optimization Optimization Tuning At the end of this module, you will be able to make choices of storage options and optimizations for OLAP cubes. This includes: Explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the three data storage models. Using the Storage Design Wizard to set storage design. Describing how aggregations work and designing aggregations for cubes. Describing the concepts and mechanics of usage-based optimization. Overriding aggregation settings per dimension. Module 9: Processing Dimensions and Cubes The following topics are covered in this module: Introducing Dimension and Cube Processing Processing Dimensions Processing Cubes Optimizing Cube Processing Troubleshooting Cube Processing At the end of this module, you will be able to manage dimension and cube processing. This includes: Understanding the difference between OLAP schema and data. Processing dimensions. Performing the three types of cube processes. Obtimizing cube processing. Troubleshooting cube processing. Module 10: Managing Partitions The following topics are covered in this module: Introducing Partitions Creating Partitions Using Advanced Settings Merging Partitions At the end of this module, you will be able to use partitions to improve both processing and query performance. This includes: Explaining the benefits of partitioning. Describing the mechanics of the Partition Wizard Explaining when to define slices and when to define filters. Describing the purpose and mechanics of merging partitions. Module 11: Implementing Calculations Using MDX The following topics are covered in this module: Understanding Calculated Members Building Calculated Members Creating Non-Measure Calculated Members Using Functions Within Calculated Members Understanding Other Calculation Methods Introducing Solve Order At the end of this module, you will be able to begin working with calculated members and multidimensional expressions (MDX). This includes: Describing how calculated members work. Explaining the mechanics of the Calculated Member Builder and creating calculated members. Creating calculated members in non-Measure dimensions. Understanding the use of functions in calculated members. Understanding other calculation methods in Analysis Services. Understanding the importance of Solve Order to generate accurate results. Module 12: Working with Virtual Cubes The following topics are covered in this module: Understanding Virtual Cubes Obtaining Logical Results Building a Virtual Cube Creating Calculated Members At the end of this module, you will be able to build and use virtual cubes. This includes: Understanding when to use virtual cubes and knowing their benefits. Knowing the rules for constructing meaningful virtual cubes. Building virtual cubes by using the Virtual Cube Wizard. Defining calculated members in virtual cubes by using the Calculated Member Builder. Module 13: Using Excel as an OLAP Client The following topics are covered in this module: Office 2000 OLAP Components Using Excel PivotTables Using PivotCharts Working with Local Cubes Creating OLAP-Enabled Web Pages At the end of this module, you will be able to use various Office 2000 OLAP features. This includes: Understanding the various Microsoft Office 2000 OLAP features. Creating a PivotTable from an OLAP cube. Creating PivotCharts Creating local cube files Creating a Web page containing Pivot Web components. Module 14: Using Actions, Drillthrough, and Writeback The following topics are covered in this module: Creating Actions Performing Drillthrough Understanding Writeback At the end of this module, you will be able to use these three features to add layers of analysis to OLAP applications. This includes: Creating and viewing actions. Implementing and testing drillthrough. Understanding the applications for cube writeback. Module 15: Implementing Security The following topics are covered in this module: Introducing Analysis Services Security Understanding Administrator Security Helping Protect User Authentication Understanding Database Roles Implementing Dimension Security Managing Cube Roles At the end of this module, you will be able to implement security in Analysis Services. This includes: Understanding the uses of security in Analysis Services. Explaining adminstrator security. Describing authentication methods. Assigning database roles. Applying dimension security. Managing cube roles. Module 16: Deploying an OLAP Solution The following topics are covered in this module: Introducing DTS Executing and Scheduling Packages The Analysis Services Processing Task Copying and Archiving OLAP Databases At the end of this module, you will be able to automate various steps in the deployment of an OLAP solution. This includes: Describing the role of Data Transformation Services (DTS). Creating a DTS package. Defining an Analysis Services processing task. Copying, archiving, and restoring OLAP databases. Module 17: Introduction to Data Mining The following topics are covered in this module: Introducing Data Mining Training a Data Mining Model Building a Data Mining Model with OLAP Data Browsing the Dependency Network At the end of this module, you will be able to explain and use simple data mining techniques. This includes: Describing data mining characteristics, applications, and modeling techniques. Describing the process of training a model. Using the OLAP Mining Model Wizard to edit, process, and explore the decision trees. Analyzing relational data relationships in the dependency network browser. Describing the steps required to build a clustering model by using OLAP data. Module 18: Case Study - Working with the Foodmart Database The following topics are covered in this module: Building the Warehouse Cube Building the Sales Cube Building the Warehouse and Sales Virtual Cube At the end of this module, you will be able to demonstrate the ability to create a preliminary cube and then make changes to it by applying dimension and level properties. This includes: Creating a cube based on user requirements. Creating another cube with different dimensions and measures. Building a virtual cube.