Those who are following me on Twitter and Facebook know that recently I am reinforcing my own concept for SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS). Like many of us, I worked with Analysis Services in early years. In an earlier job, I got many projects for relational database performance tuning and over time, I lost touch with SSAS. This does not mean that I forgot all of the concepts, but the ‘real’ hands-on experience was gathering dust. Looking back at the last five years, I realized that I have deep experience with relational performance tuning, but there are a few new things which I have yet to explore and learn.
My Learning
One weekend I decided to learn SQL Server Analysis Services. I woke up early in the morning at 6 AM and by 7 AM I was sitting with coffee at my dual screen computer monitor. I had a free subscription to Pluralsight so on one screen I turned on their Analysis Services Fundamentals course. This course is well organized and I attended first six modules by 1 PM. After having a quick lunch with my family, I reviewed all the tasks and lessons given in the course. As it was the weekend and I had properly digested all the concepts, I decided to continue the remaining four modules the next day. The next day, the same routine: I followed and finished all the remaining modules along with the exercises. At the end of six hours of video learning and practicing for more than 8 hours, I felt very comfortable with the subject. I re-discovered my knowledge of SSAS which I used to practice a few years ago, before I opted for performance tuning.
Course Details
You can read the official details of the course here yourself. Here is my view of this course. This course is very well structured. I have found many books and attended SSAS training where the training starts with Bottom Up Designing methodology. I have never had any course where the instructor started from Top Down Designing methodology. This course really got my attention as it covers the all the core concepts in a very reasonable time with crisp and clear instructions. After that it jumps to very easy to understand and follow-along demos where one can practice their skills. I am personally a big fan of the AdventureWorks database as that makes our life much easier and everybody has access to that database for free. Thanks to the instructor, Stacia, for using the same database for every single demonstration and exercise.
I have seen many demonstrations where someone takes an already-built cube and imports that into the system and starts explaining various concepts of the cube. I personally do the same when I have to demonstrate some cool new feature of the SSAS in a one hour presentation. However for in-depth learning, the whole game is different and I prefer to learn from the beginning. I prefer to learn how dimensions are built, how measures are categorized and how cubes are built from nothing. One always learns properly when the lesson is explained in structured manner. In this course Stacia has done the same thing – starting from no elements on screen and very quickly building all the modules from scratch. A perfect experience for beginners and experts.
Course Content
This course covers various topics and you can read all the documentations on the official course page. However, as an outline, here are the module names. I am also attaching the image which demonstrates that I have attended every single module of the course. If you stop the course any place during the lesson, when you come back to the course content page tracks your progress; this is very convenient.
- Introduction to Analysis Services
- Dimensional Model Development
- Dimension Development I
- Dimension Development 2
- Cube Development I
- Cube Development 2
- Calculations 1
- Calculations 2
- Database Processing
- Security
Future Expectations
The title of the course says this is an Introduction to Analysis Services. However, I thought this was quite a comprehensive course. I am assuming that there will be another version of this course. Stacia also hinted couple of times during the course, what will be in the advanced course. Well, what I expect in the advanced course is that the quality and presentation stay the same.
Reference: Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)
147 Comments. Leave new
I would like to take the Dimensional Model Development course because it’s very important to me understand why this is relevant to design a data-warehouse correctly.
Thanks
I have recently been given the opportunity to work as BI Technical Lead, currently focused on ETL. My next step is to make way into Analytical world. Learning SSAS would be a great step into reaching my goals.
Thanks for your dedication in helping others.
I am a newbie and loved the course.
Hai,
I am interested learn SSAS. currently i am woring in .net platform, in my project mostly DB related so that i try to learn more in SQL. Recently i won (Joes2Pros vol-4) from blog. so, that i want this subscription to learn more..
Chennai, India
Pinal –
I don’t understand how you have time for courses, blog, work … and family ;-)
I am currently working with sas and this subscription will provide me with more indetail concept and knowledge
It’s very nice and I am very much interested to learn SSAS. It’s very nice efforts sir ant that’s must be useful for every one. If possible give me one Training code so i can learn SSAS.
I would also start with SSAS… it is the one area I have just simply avoided
Hi Pinal,
I am a Dev Lead managing the design and build of big project 3-4 million pounds , leading team of 20 – 25 including 10-12 dev. I always enjoy SQL and consider fairly sttong in SQL concepts. Not writing much code but design and troubleshoot.
Though I want to progress in every area but wants design principals on BI. This will help me to put right foundation stones in the application. This is one area where you make mistake and pay the price heavily.
BTW SSAS is an area where I am in level 0.
Cheers
Swami
I’m working on SQL. But more interested to work on BI. I would really want to know SSAS in detail.
I would have to say Reporting Services Advances Topics… this is the part of the stack that I have neglected the most
Cheers
Jens
After successfully implementing several cubes, I’m more interested in fleshing them out at this point. Therefore I believe I would benefit more from the Calculations section of the course. Right now I have only used them to create averages and other straight-forward calculations.
Thanks Pinal!
Would love to take the SSAS course
I would like to learn SSIS and SSAS as I have an urgent interview next week, and I am sure I would not be able to find a better resource than Pluralsight for my preparations.
I am interest to learn SSAS from basics…
RAJNEESH
Would love to learn more about SSAS. Looks like a lot of business value there.
Bill
Hello Pinal
I confess that read your history about SSAS was as if I’m reading myself, but the difference is what I am looking yet the time for seat front my laptop and do it! As you,the way for differents projects and jobs were drive me to work as DBA and DB developer, but one day I was nominated for work in a project about BI and that was a excellent opportunity that I was waiting, As all, the road was very hard, the first thing was break all concepts about relational world and then understand as it is in multidimensional concepts. At the end, was a project that let me many hair falls but give me much satisfaction!! Now, my wish is that I want will continue with that practice and your suggestion is too value for me. I’m sorry dont see your post much before but I am happy that DiegoNogare is the winner. Also it is a excellent idea for teach BI to the people! th
Hello Pinal,
I am your regular blog reader. Your blogs are very helpful for me. I want to learn SSAS. I also intrested in learn SSRS.
I leared Reporting services, and Integration services myself and heard that Analysis services is the hardest one. I am working on data warehousing routines these days and the company is in need to a developer that knows Analysis services and I would love to learn and apply this technology towards my data warehousing projects.
Does this really work…..random picking of winner…funny
Check the Books Online and u can see lot of stuff