Here is a tip that could make you much more productive:  At home, I have a desktop computer with dual-monitors (via a HDMI connection and a DVI connection with 1920×1080 resolution.  One monitor is 24-inch, the other 21-inch).  I also have a laptop that I travel with and on that… Read more

Here is a got-ya that happened to me.  In SQL Server I want to generate a script of all the tables in case I need to re-create them.  This is usually the case in a development environment when I’m building a database.  So in Object Explorer I click on the… Read more

Here is a common got-ya.  You are modifying the cube dimension security for a role-playing dimension.  You make the changes and the cube processes successfully.  But when you try to connect to the cube, you get the following error message: The ‘XXX’ attribute in the ‘YYY’ dimension has a generated… Read more

“vNext” is the codename Microsoft has chosen for the next version of the Visual Studio.

A big feature is improving the application lifecycle management (ALM) process.  Check out this pdf “Visual Studio VNext: Application Lifecyle Managment” or the video The Future of Microsoft Visual Studio Application Lifecycle Management or the… Read more

According to the post SQL Server “Denali” Experts–We Need You! that asks for your feedback on the Microsoft certifications for the next version of SQL Server, there will be seven exams:

Four certification exams are planned for SQL Server “Denali” Business Intelligence roles:

• Writing queries with Transact-SQL (T-SQL)
• ETL Developer…

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CTP3 of SQL Server Code Name “Denali” was made available recently, and it offers a lot of new features for SSIS.  Some of my favorites are:

• SSIS Projects, which is an encapsulation of multiple packages into a single unit that you build, deploy & execute.  See Introduction to SSIS Projects…

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As I play with the recently released CTP3 of SQL Server Denali, I wanted to point something out about installing SSAS, since there is now two “modes” you can choose from due to the the new BI Semantic Model (I covered these new features here).

During installation, when you… Read more

Microsoft has released the final build of SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1. It includes fixes from SQL Server 2008 R2 RTM Cumulative Updates 1 through 6, and some new features introduced since those cumulative updates.  Release notes for SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 is available here.

More info… Read more

When you open a SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) package in SSIS Designer or add components to a package, SSIS by default checks the data sources used by the various components. This process for SSIS package validation ensures that the external metadata is valid.  If the metadata is not valid,… Read more

CTP3 of SQL Server Code Name “Denali” was made available for download this morning. You can download the 32-bit and 64-bit versions here. Official announcement from the SQL Server team blog and the announcement from the Analysis Services and PowerPivot Team Blog. Note that there was not a publically… Read more

If you are using environment variables in SSIS when using package configuration, chances are you will run into a situation where you add or change the value of an environment variable, and SSIS does not recognize it.  There is a misconception that in order for the packages to start recognizing… Read more

If you are new to Business Intelligence (BI) and learn best by watching videos and “playing”, then this course is perfect for you.  The SQL Server 2008 R2 Business Intelligence Training Course (SQLInsights) will help you build your first Microsoft Business Intelligence solution.  It will teach you the basics of… Read more

Another whitepaper to add to your “to read” list: SQL Server 2008 R2 Analysis Services Operations Guide

This white paper describes how you can test, monitor, capacity plan, and troubleshoot Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services OLAP solutions in SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, and SQL Server 2008 R2.

It… Read more

Project “Crescent” is a new interactive data exploration and visual presentation experience coming in the next version of SQL Server, code-named “Denali”.  It will offer a fun, visual, and powerful drag-and-drop ad hoc reporting experience.  It is an web-based end-user BI tool based on Silverlight.

At first… Read more

Juneau is the code name for the new SQL Server Development Tool (SSDT), to be released along with the next version of SQL Server, codenamed “Denali“.  Its purpose is to provide a single development environment for all database-related project types by bringing BIDS (Business Intelligence Development Studio), “Data… Read more