BI Web Intelligence

I am currently looking for a reporting solution for my company. I am tore
between RS and Crystal. We are primarily a MS shop with enterprise
licensing.
Business Objects (BO) has presented me with a really nice set of tools aside
from their reporting solution. Aside from reporting I would like to get
more involved with BI (dataming and cube analysis). At some point I would
like to have the end users browse the cube/universe data for quick adhoc
analysis.
BO presented me with really nice web intelligence software which is all
integrated with the BO product line. The products were: BO Web
Intelligence, BO Predictive Analysis, BO Set Analysis. These products seem
easy to use and the data can all be analyzed through the web once the
developer creates the middle layer.
I know MS has SSAS which contains the cube technology and data mining.
Do they offer a packaged product ready for enduser use similiar to BO?
Do you need to program your needs in the BI environment to develop what your
looking for?
Is there a way to get the SSAS cubes designed for end users to access
through the web/intranet?
Thanks.Basically you need to see what exactly you require. Both offer same things
but MS is cost effective solution and one stop solution. You also get
everything packged and moreover the SSRS comes free with Enterprise version
of SQL SERVER. So if you are planning for a small / mid size then this will
be ideal for you.
Amarnath
"Brian Shannon" wrote:
> I am currently looking for a reporting solution for my company. I am tore
> between RS and Crystal. We are primarily a MS shop with enterprise
> licensing.
> Business Objects (BO) has presented me with a really nice set of tools aside
> from their reporting solution. Aside from reporting I would like to get
> more involved with BI (dataming and cube analysis). At some point I would
> like to have the end users browse the cube/universe data for quick adhoc
> analysis.
> BO presented me with really nice web intelligence software which is all
> integrated with the BO product line. The products were: BO Web
> Intelligence, BO Predictive Analysis, BO Set Analysis. These products seem
> easy to use and the data can all be analyzed through the web once the
> developer creates the middle layer.
> I know MS has SSAS which contains the cube technology and data mining.
> Do they offer a packaged product ready for enduser use similiar to BO?
> Do you need to program your needs in the BI environment to develop what your
> looking for?
> Is there a way to get the SSAS cubes designed for end users to access
> through the web/intranet?
> Thanks.
>
>|||"Brian Shannon" <brian.shannon@.diamondjo.com> wrote in message
news:O2$FcrnDHHA.1220@.TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> BO presented me with really nice web intelligence software which is all
> integrated with the BO product line. The products were: BO Web
> Intelligence, BO Predictive Analysis, BO Set Analysis. These products
> seem easy to use and the data can all be analyzed through the web once the
> developer creates the middle layer.
> I know MS has SSAS which contains the cube technology and data mining.
> Do they offer a packaged product ready for enduser use similiar to BO?
> Do you need to program your needs in the BI environment to develop what
> your looking for?
Take a look at Microsoft Performance Point 2007, as it will help you do much
of what you're looking for.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/performancepoint/FX101680481033.aspx
Hope this helps.
Ted|||Hey, Brian
One of Microsoft's biggest ambitions is to be leading the Business
Intelligence (BI) arena. In 2007, they have announced the release of
several new products and integration with the Office suite (especially
Excel). I would really consider the Microsoft suite of BI offerings
that will be coming up in the next year. Like Ted said,
PerformancePoint will be a key product to get into BIPM, and will allow
users to view scorecard technology, data mining, cube analysis, etc.
They will be leveraging a lot of their BI offerings with Office and
SharePoint, in order to provide the end users access to data w/ tools
like Excel and their web browser (IE) which they're already familiar
with and comfortable using.
Since your company is a MS shop, and they already run SQL Server, the
license for Reporting Services is included, so you can have a pretty
good reporting engine up and running fairly quickly. Reporting
Services can connect to several data sources including OLTP and OLAP,
such as SQL Server DB, Analysis Services cubes, Oracle, XML web
services (RS 2005), and in the SP2 of SQL 2005, they will be adding
support for Hyperion. If you already have cubes setup in an Analysis
Services database, you can simply write the MDX (or use the MDX query
generator in RS 2005) for the report query, then design your report
layout, and the learning curve for Reporting Services is fairly
minimal.
I have seen a lot of companies that used Crystal reports as their main
reporting tool, move away from that and migrate all their reports to
Reporting Services because the licensing is much more cost effective --
it's included w/ their SQL Server license!
I would definitely recommend spending some time in the MS BI web site
to learn about their future offerings in that area.
(http://www.microsoft.com/bi)
Regards,
Thiago Silva, MCAD.NET
On Nov 22, 10:09 pm, "Ted Malone" <ted.nospam.mal...@.gmail.com> wrote:
> "Brian Shannon" <brian.shan...@.diamondjo.com> wrote in messagenews:O2$FcrnDHHA.1220@.TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> > BO presented me with really nice web intelligence software which is all
> > integrated with the BO product line. The products were: BO Web
> > Intelligence, BO Predictive Analysis, BO Set Analysis. These products
> > seem easy to use and the data can all be analyzed through the web once the
> > developer creates the middle layer.
> > I know MS has SSAS which contains the cube technology and data mining.
> > Do they offer a packaged product ready for enduser use similiar to BO?
> > Do you need to program your needs in the BI environment to develop what
> > your looking for?Take a look at Microsoft Performance Point 2007, as it will help you do much
> of what you're looking for.
> http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/performancepoint/FX101680481033.aspx
> Hope this helps.
> Ted

best way to learn SQL Server

I am an experienced database developer who has worked primarily with
Unidata (a multi-value database). I wish to learn SQL Server, but will
need to do this at home on my own. The only machine I have available is
my laptop running Win XP sp2. I know I can download the SQL Server
2005 trial version or Express Edition, but I need to know if it's
possible to install either of these as a standalone on my laptop. (i.e.
my laptop would be both the server and client.)
If it is possible to run as a standalone? Do I need to install .net and
IIS? Has anyone successfully done this that can give me some pointers
or refer me to some good documentation on how to do this?
Thanks in advance!!
Tim> The only machine I have available
> is my laptop running Win XP sp2.
It could be good. How much RAM?
> I know I can download the SQL Server
> 2005 trial version or Express Edition, but I need to know if it's
> possible to install either of these as a standalone on my laptop.
> (i.e. my laptop would be both the server and client.)
Yes, you can. I did too.
> If it is possible to run as a standalone?
What do you mean? SQL Server installs as a system service, so you need a
client application to use it.
If you intend "may I have the server and the client on the same phisical
pc?", then that's ok.
> Do I need to install .net
Yes, version 2.0.
> and IIS?
This is necessary only if you want to install "SQL Server 2005 Express with
Advanced Services" and want to use Interation Services (e.g. Reporting Services).
> Has anyone successfully done this that can give me some
> pointers or refer me to some good documentation on how to do this?
I have few problems.
First, install .NET framework 2.0.
Then, install SQL Server 2005 Express (or Express with Advanced Services).
I suppose you will have few problems, even if you'll follow setup wizards.
If you need more infos, post again :-)
--
PBsoft di Gabriele Bertolucci
www.pbsoft.it
skype:pbsoftsolution|||Hi
You can install SQL Server (excluding Enterprise Edition) without issue on
Windows XP SP2. SQL Express is free to install does not come with all the
tools you would get with the other versions. You can also download SQL
Express Manager to manage your SQL Express instance. SQL Express can also be
installed as part of Visual Studio 2005.
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx shows
which features are supported by which edition. Developer edition has all the
features of Enterprise Edition, but is not licenced for a production system.
This is only $50. System requirements can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/developer/sysreqs.mspx or
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/express/sysreqs.mspx
You will need to install .NET framework during or before (Express edition)
installing SQL Server if this is not already on your system.
John
"tmags23@.gmail.com" wrote:
> I am an experienced database developer who has worked primarily with
> Unidata (a multi-value database). I wish to learn SQL Server, but will
> need to do this at home on my own. The only machine I have available is
> my laptop running Win XP sp2. I know I can download the SQL Server
> 2005 trial version or Express Edition, but I need to know if it's
> possible to install either of these as a standalone on my laptop. (i.e.
> my laptop would be both the server and client.)
> If it is possible to run as a standalone? Do I need to install .net and
> IIS? Has anyone successfully done this that can give me some pointers
> or refer me to some good documentation on how to do this?
> Thanks in advance!!
> Tim
>|||Hi
I forgot to add, the virtual labs and webcasts on MSDN and Technet are
excellent sources of information for someone wishing to learn SQL Server.
John
"John Bell" wrote:
> Hi
> You can install SQL Server (excluding Enterprise Edition) without issue on
> Windows XP SP2. SQL Express is free to install does not come with all the
> tools you would get with the other versions. You can also download SQL
> Express Manager to manage your SQL Express instance. SQL Express can also be
> installed as part of Visual Studio 2005.
> http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx shows
> which features are supported by which edition. Developer edition has all the
> features of Enterprise Edition, but is not licenced for a production system.
> This is only $50. System requirements can be found at
> http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/developer/sysreqs.mspx or
> http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/express/sysreqs.mspx
> You will need to install .NET framework during or before (Express edition)
> installing SQL Server if this is not already on your system.
> John
> "tmags23@.gmail.com" wrote:
> > I am an experienced database developer who has worked primarily with
> > Unidata (a multi-value database). I wish to learn SQL Server, but will
> > need to do this at home on my own. The only machine I have available is
> > my laptop running Win XP sp2. I know I can download the SQL Server
> > 2005 trial version or Express Edition, but I need to know if it's
> > possible to install either of these as a standalone on my laptop. (i.e.
> > my laptop would be both the server and client.)
> >
> > If it is possible to run as a standalone? Do I need to install .net and
> > IIS? Has anyone successfully done this that can give me some pointers
> > or refer me to some good documentation on how to do this?
> >
> > Thanks in advance!!
> >
> > Tim
> >
> >|||Take a look into the below URL:-
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143516.aspx
Thanks
Hari
<tmags23@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166949097.123669.302670@.n51g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>I am an experienced database developer who has worked primarily with
> Unidata (a multi-value database). I wish to learn SQL Server, but will
> need to do this at home on my own. The only machine I have available is
> my laptop running Win XP sp2. I know I can download the SQL Server
> 2005 trial version or Express Edition, but I need to know if it's
> possible to install either of these as a standalone on my laptop. (i.e.
> my laptop would be both the server and client.)
> If it is possible to run as a standalone? Do I need to install .net and
> IIS? Has anyone successfully done this that can give me some pointers
> or refer me to some good documentation on how to do this?
> Thanks in advance!!
> Tim
>|||Thanks all for the great info. Sounds like I'm in business.
My laptop has 512MB of RAM, so that shouldn't be an issue. I downloaded
the .net framework and the Express edition. But I forgot to look for
the version with Advanced Services so I'll look for that instead.
Thanks also for the reminder about Express Manager. I'll grab that too.
One final question. Apparently IIS isn't supported in XP Home. Could I
still install it? (By the time I get to Reporting Services and need IIS
I'll probably have another box up and running with Windows 2000, but I
still would like to know if it's possible.)
Also I read there are some potential conflicts with Windows Firewall
blocking the port that SQL server listens on, but if I havve the server
and client on the same physical box that shoudn't be a problem, should
it?
Thanks again, and happy holidays!
Tim
Hari Prasad wrote:
> Take a look into the below URL:-
> http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143516.aspx
> Thanks
> Hari
> <tmags23@.gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1166949097.123669.302670@.n51g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> >I am an experienced database developer who has worked primarily with
> > Unidata (a multi-value database). I wish to learn SQL Server, but will
> > need to do this at home on my own. The only machine I have available is
> > my laptop running Win XP sp2. I know I can download the SQL Server
> > 2005 trial version or Express Edition, but I need to know if it's
> > possible to install either of these as a standalone on my laptop. (i.e.
> > my laptop would be both the server and client.)
> >
> > If it is possible to run as a standalone? Do I need to install .net and
> > IIS? Has anyone successfully done this that can give me some pointers
> > or refer me to some good documentation on how to do this?
> >
> > Thanks in advance!!
> >
> > Tim
> >|||Hi Tim
If you are just working on the laptop as a standalone system then you should
have no problems with the firewall. If you wish to connect to the machine
from external machines then you will need specify the
DISABLENETWORKPROTOCOLS=0 on the command prompt for the installation see
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143446.aspx SQLExpress with
Advanced Services only supports a subset of reporting services, so you will
be better trying that on different version.
Merry Christmas
John
"tmags" wrote:
> Thanks all for the great info. Sounds like I'm in business.
> My laptop has 512MB of RAM, so that shouldn't be an issue. I downloaded
> the .net framework and the Express edition. But I forgot to look for
> the version with Advanced Services so I'll look for that instead.
> Thanks also for the reminder about Express Manager. I'll grab that too.
> One final question. Apparently IIS isn't supported in XP Home. Could I
> still install it? (By the time I get to Reporting Services and need IIS
> I'll probably have another box up and running with Windows 2000, but I
> still would like to know if it's possible.)
> Also I read there are some potential conflicts with Windows Firewall
> blocking the port that SQL server listens on, but if I havve the server
> and client on the same physical box that shoudn't be a problem, should
> it?
> Thanks again, and happy holidays!
> Tim
> Hari Prasad wrote:
> > Take a look into the below URL:-
> >
> > http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143516.aspx
> >
> > Thanks
> > Hari
> >
> > <tmags23@.gmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:1166949097.123669.302670@.n51g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> > >I am an experienced database developer who has worked primarily with
> > > Unidata (a multi-value database). I wish to learn SQL Server, but will
> > > need to do this at home on my own. The only machine I have available is
> > > my laptop running Win XP sp2. I know I can download the SQL Server
> > > 2005 trial version or Express Edition, but I need to know if it's
> > > possible to install either of these as a standalone on my laptop. (i.e.
> > > my laptop would be both the server and client.)
> > >
> > > If it is possible to run as a standalone? Do I need to install .net and
> > > IIS? Has anyone successfully done this that can give me some pointers
> > > or refer me to some good documentation on how to do this?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance!!
> > >
> > > Tim
> > >
>