Convert stored data into business intelligence: Implement online analytical processing (OLAP) with Microsoft Analysis Services

A data warehouse is a general structure for storing the data needed for good business intelligence (BI), but data in a warehouse is of little use until it is converted into the information that decision makers need. The solution is online analytical processing (OLAP), one of the best technologies for converting data from the large relational databases typical of data warehouses into usable information. Learn the general benefits of OLAP in this sample chapter from Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services Step by Step. Then explore how Microsoft Analysis Services implements the benefits of OLAP and investigate tools for developing and managing an Analysis Services database.

Title: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services Step by Step
ISBN: 0735621993
Published: March 2006
Authors: Reed Jacobson, Stacia Misner, Hitachi Consulting
Chapter: Chapter 2: Understanding OLAP and Analysis Services
Published by Microsoft Press