Many companies today continue to have trouble making business decisions on the data stored in their operational systems (ERP, CRM, Legacy) or in PC data sources (MS Excel or Access). Reporting is generally performed through custom programming, spreadsheet manipulation or simple querying tools. Even with the basic reporting you are able to get with those tools, these reports can generate other questions that require further detail. Also, users can develop reports from different data sources causing inaccurate results or conflicting data with other users. This is where having an Enterprise Data Warehouse and On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP) Data Marts can help solve some of these problems.

More companies today are looking towards Microsoft’s Business Intelligence Platform to provide the software services necessary to automate the extraction of data from source systems, and to host the data warehouse and OLAP data marts. The core components of Microsoft’s Business Intelligence Platform are SQL Server 2000 and Analysis Services. SQL Server 2000 is a relational database used to store the star-schema data warehouse tables. Analysis Services is the toolset that enables users to quickly develop multidimensional OLAP cubes. These cubes are the backbone of rich, interactive reports, which end users can then dissect to obtain timely information. SQL Server 2000 also provides various tools for automating the extraction, transformation and loading of data into both the data warehouse and the Analysis Services data marts.

Analytic Vision provides a number of service offerings to support the Microsoft Business Intelligence Platform. Along with the requirements gathering and design skills necessary to ensure your end users' specific needs are being met, we are also proficient in the following Microsoft skill-sets:

• ETL processes and automation using Microsoft Data Transformation Service and T-SQL
• SQL Server 2000 database administration and programming
• Analysis Services development skills including advanced MDX capabilities
• Front end presentation utilizing a variety of third-party tools

Additionally, we are proponents of working side by side with clients to facilitate knowledge transfer.

Microsoft Data Transformation Services and Transaction SQL
Many Microsoft clients and consultants today develop custom application programs to perform the formatting of operational data and other automation activities required for the refresh of their SQL Server Data Warehouse and Analysis Services multidimensional data marts. Data Transformation Services (DTS) and Transactional SQL (T-SQL) are included with your SQL Server software and can be used to perform complex ETL cleansing logic to transform and organize and load your operational data into the data warehouse. These tools can also be used to fully automate the entire transformation and load process.

Analytic Vision understands the optimal techniques for fully automating the refresh of the Microsoft Analysis Services data marts (and the supporting data warehouse) using DTs and T-SQL. Our automation techniques allow us to develop a parameter-driven process that can be executed on a scheduled basis or run on demand utilizing the software you have today.

Microsoft Analysis Services
One of the key areas of our services and expertise revolves around the design, development and automation of Microsoft Analysis Services data marts. Analysis Services provides fast access to data warehouse data by creating multidimensional OLAP cubes from information in the data warehouse fact and dimension tables.

Analytic Vision consultants have the skills required to build more advanced Analysis Services analytical applications than the traditional consulting firms. Areas of expertise include:

• Advanced MDX Query capabilities
• Advanced Cube Design
     • Calculated Members
     • Advanced Formulas
     • Server-Based Formatting
     • Parent-Child Dimensions
     • Ragged Dimensions
     • Virtual Dimensions
     • Multiple Hierarchies
• User-Defined Functions
• Real-Time OLAP
• Member Properties
• Local Cubes
• Data Write-back Support
• Dimension Write-back Support
• Actions / Notifications
• Relational Drill-though

Our Rapid Implementation Methodology allows us to keep our projects focused on your deliverables so that they are on task within budget and on time. Our implementation plans include design and development reviews throughout all phases of the project to ensure that we meet your objectives. We also work to assist you in building your internal capabilities with knowledge transfer between our consultants and your IT staff.

Third-Party Presentation Tools for SQL Server and Analysis Services
The analytical front-end presentation tool today for Microsoft Analysis Services in most companies is limited to Microsoft Excel. Typically, using Excel will not completely meet the reporting requirements across your user base, as many users are not Excel savvy, and deployment of Excel views across a diverse set of users is challenging.

Most companies prefer utilizing the web for providing end-user access to reports and analytical information. This could include intranet, extranet, or portal web applications that provide access to analytical data for your employees, customers, vendors, or as part of a worldwide organization. Analytic Vision as a full-service provider understands that sometimes software vendors cannot provide the total solution, but has other partners who can provide that functionality. As such we partner with companies such as Alphablox and ProClarity to provide premium custom-developed front-end web applications. For more information on our front-end services visit the Front-End Presentation Services page.