Dive into the business intelligence (BI) features in SharePoint 2010—and use the right combination of tools to deliver compelling solutions. This practical guide helps you explore several BI application services available in SharePoint 2010 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2. You’ll learn each technology with step-by-step instructions, and determine which ones work best in specific BI scenarios—whether you’re a SharePoint administrator, SQL Server developer, or business analyst. Choose the BI tools that meet your needs—and learn how they work together Examine the BI lifecycle, from determining key performance indicators to building dashboards Take Microsoft Excel further—gain more control and functionality with web-based Excel Services Mash up data from multiple sources using PowerPivot for Excel 2010 Create data visualizations with objects, context, and metrics using Microsoft Visio Services Build dashboards, scorecards, and other monitoring and analysis tools with PerformancePoint Services Use SharePoint to view BI reports side by side, no matter which tools were used to produced them Your companion web content includes: Interactive exercises that help you try out concepts or techniques Code samples that enable you to work with the exercises

The IBM® Smart Analytics System 9600 is a single, end-to-end business analytics solution to accelerate data warehousing and business intelligence initiatives. It provides integrated hardware, software, and services that enable enterprise customers to quickly and cost-effectively deploy business-changing analytics across their organizations. As a workload-optimized system for business analytics, it leverages the strengths of the System z® platform to drive: Significant savings in hardware, software, operating, and people costs to deliver a complete range of data warehouse and BI capabilities Faster time to value with a reduction in the time and speed associated with deploying Business Intelligence Industry-leading scalability, reliability, availability, and security Simplified and faster access to the data on System z

Foundations of SQL Server 2008 R2 Business Intelligence introduces the exciting gamut of business intelligence tools included with SQL Server 2008. Microsoft has designed SQL Server 2008 to be more than just a database. It's a complete business intelligence (BI) platform. The database is at the core, and surrounding the database are tools for data mining, modeling, reporting, analyzing, charting, and integration with other, enterprise-level software packages. SQL Server 2008 puts an incredible amount of BI functionality at your disposal. But how do you take advantage of it? That's what this book is all about. Authors Guy Fouché and Lynn Langit show how to implement end-to-end BI solutions using SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), and other tools in the Microsoft BI toolkit. You'll learn about all-new features such as PowerPivot and Report Builder 3.0. Also provided are clear examples of predictive analysis made possible through powerful data mining features in SQL Server. If you're an analyst or developer working with SQL Server 2008 who is charged with delivering results that drive business success, you can't afford to be without this book; you can't afford to ignore the powerful BI suite that Microsoft has placed at your disposal. Provides the "big picture" of Microsoft's BI tool suite Covers PowerPivot and other game-changing technologies introduced alongside SQL Server 2008 Release 2 Gives a practical analysis of features based on real-world practices What you'll learn Apply dimensional- and fact-based modeling to create OLAP schemas Optimize data extraction and transformation with SQL Server Integration Services Develop OLAP and data-mining solutions using SQL Server Analysis Services Create compelling reports using the new Report Builder 3.0 in SQL Server Reporting Services Deliver self-service business-intelligence via Microsoft PowerPivot Manage and maintain control over your business intelligence environment Who this book is for Foundations of SQL Server 2008 R2 Business Intelligence is for business intelligence analysts and developers wanting to employ the full stack of business intelligence tools that are part of SQL Server. The book also appeals to database administrators managing databases in support of business intelligence efforts.

PowerPivot comprises a set of technologies for easy access to data mining and business intelligence analysis from Microsoft Excel and SharePoint. Power users and developers alike can create sophisticated, online analytic processing (OLAP) solutions using PowerPivot for Excel, and then share those solutions with other users via PowerPivot for SharePoint. Data can be pulled in from any of the leading database platforms, as well as from spreadsheets and flat files. PowerPivot for Business Intelligence Using Excel and SharePoint is your key to mastering PowerPivot. The book takes a scenario-based approach to showing you how to collect data, to mine that data through insightful analysis, and to draw conclusions that drive business performance. Each chapter in the book is focused on a specific challenge that you'll encounter when using PowerPivot. Each chapter takes you through a solution technique that's been proven in the real world. Covers the leading technology for bringing data analytics to the desktop Presents real-world solutions to real-world scenarios Written by a Microsoft Virtual Technical Specialist (VTS) for Business Intelligence What you'll learn Install and verify the PowerPivot software Integrated existing, available data to deliver business intelligence Leverage Time Intelligence to report change over time Write Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) to create custom measures Identify and implement solutions for role-playing dimensions Recognize and work-around PowerPivot's missing features Who this book is for PowerPivot Solutions for Excel and SharePoint is aimed at information workers and data analysts who typically use Excel to drive business decisions. The book shows how you can apply PowerPivot to problems typically addressed through complicated and arcane spreadsheet techniques. Business people without the time and interest in learning Excel arcane will especially appreciate how PowerPivot enables them to easily create models and perform analysis far in advance of anything they could do using Excel alone.

Best practices and invaluable advice from world-renowned data warehouse experts In this book, leading data warehouse experts from the Kimball Group share best practices for using the upcoming "Business Intelligence release" of SQL Server, referred to as SQL Server 2008 R2. In this new edition, the authors explain how SQL Server 2008 R2 provides a collection of powerful new tools that extend the power of its BI toolset to Excel and SharePoint users and they show how to use SQL Server to build a successful data warehouse that supports the business intelligence requirements that are common to most organizations. Covering the complete suite of data warehousing and BI tools that are part of SQL Server 2008 R2, as well as Microsoft Office, the authors walk you through a full project lifecycle, including design, development, deployment and maintenance. Features more than 50 percent new and revised material that covers the rich new feature set of the SQL Server 2008 R2 release, as well as the Office 2010 release Includes brand new content that focuses on PowerPivot for Excel and SharePoint, Master Data Services, and discusses updated capabilities of SQL Server Analysis, Integration, and Reporting Services Shares detailed case examples that clearly illustrate how to best apply the techniques described in the book The accompanying Web site contains all code samples as well as the sample database used throughout the case studies The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit, Second Edition provides you with the knowledge of how and when to use BI tools such as Analysis Services and Integration Services to accomplish your most essential data warehousing tasks.

This book is about using business intelligence as a management information system for supporting managerial decision making. It concentrates primarily on practical business issues and demonstrates how to apply data warehousing and data analytics to support business decision making. This book progresses through a logical sequence, starting with data model infrastructure, then data preparation, followed by data analysis, integration, knowledge discovery, and finally the actual use of discovered knowledge. All examples are based on the most recent achievements in business intelligence. Finally this book outlines an overview of a methodology that takes into account the complexity of developing applications in an integrated business intelligence environment. This book is written for managers, business consultants, and undergraduate and postgraduates students in business administration.

More than seven million people have downloaded BIRT (Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools) from the Eclipse web site, and more than one million developers are estimated to be using BIRT. Built on the open source Eclipse platform, BIRT is a powerful report development system that provides an end-to-end solution–from creating and deploying reports to integrating report capabilities in enterprise applications. The first in a two-book series about this exciting technology, is the authoritative guide to using BIRT Report Designer, the graphical tool that enables users of all levels to build reports, from simple to complex, without programming. BIRT: A Field Guide to Reporting, Third Edition, This book is an essential resource for users who want to create presentation-quality reports quickly. The extensive examples, step-by-step instructions, and abundant illustrations help new users develop report design skills. Power users can find the information they need to make the most of the product’s rich set of features to build sophisticated and compelling reports. Readers of this book learn how to Design effective corporate reports that convey complex business information using images, charts, tables, and cross tabs Build reports using data from multiple sources, including databases, spreadsheets, web services, and XML documents Enliven reports with interactive features, such as hyperlinks, tooltips, and highlighting Create reports using a consistent style, and, drawing on templates and libraries of reusable elements, collaborate with other report designers Localize reports for an international audience The third edition, newly revised for BIRT 2.6, adds updated examples, contains close to 1,000 new and replacement screenshots, and covers all the new and improved product features, including Result-set sharing to create dashboard-style reports Data collation conforming to local conventions Using cube data in charts, new chart types, and functionality Displaying bidirectional text, used in right-to-left languages Numerous enhancements to cross tabs, page management, and report layout

Making Data Integration Work: How to Systematically Reduce Cost, Improve Quality, and Enhance Effectiveness Today’s enterprises are investing massive resources in data integration. Many possess thousands of point-to-point data integration applications that are costly, undocumented, and difficult to maintain. Data integration now accounts for a major part of the expense and risk of typical data warehousing and business intelligence projects--and, as businesses increasingly rely on analytics, the need for a blueprint for data integration is increasing now more than ever. This book presents the solution: a clear, consistent approach to defining, designing, and building data integration components to reduce cost, simplify management, enhance quality, and improve effectiveness. Leading IBM data management expert Tony Giordano brings together best practices for architecture, design, and methodology, and shows how to do the disciplined work of getting data integration right. Mr. Giordano begins with an overview of the “patterns” of data integration, showing how to build blueprints that smoothly handle both operational and analytic data integration. Next, he walks through the entire project lifecycle, explaining each phase, activity, task, and deliverable through a complete case study. Finally, he shows how to integrate data integration with other information management disciplines, from data governance to metadata. The book’s appendices bring together key principles, detailed models, and a complete data integration glossary. Coverage includes Implementing repeatable, efficient, and well-documented processes for integrating data Lowering costs and improving quality by eliminating unnecessary or duplicative data integrations Managing the high levels of complexity associated with integrating business and technical data Using intuitive graphical design techniques for more effective process and data integration modeling Building end-to-end data integration applications that bring together many complex data sources

Business Intelligence (BI) software is everywhere. It is the code and tools that allow you to view different components of a business using a single visual platform, making comprehending mountains of data easier. With SharePoint 2010, Microsoft has married one of the most-used team collaboration tools with its business intelligence products, including PerformancePoint Services and Excel Services. Now, users of SharePoint can have a single place to get a view of their business, its organization and processes, and its financial performance. Constructing this type of portal is a process unique to each business. With Pro SharePoint 2010 Business Intelligence Solutions, authors Sahil Malik and Srini Sistla take you through the different tools, services, and frameworks available for building a BI portal atop SharePoint 2010. With comprehensive coverage of Visio Services, PerformancePoint, Excel Services, and a practical look at building scorecards, dashboards, and other reporting solutions, this book answers the fundamental questions about why and how BI can work for your business.

This book examines decision making in general, the translation of knowledge about decision making into a DSS model, and the actual programming of a DSS. In addition, it combines the theoretical underpinnings of the topic with practical application using tools and technology currently available. Topics are discussed on three levels: general theory, implications for DSS design, and code development. This approach provides readers with practical examples than can be adopted into systems design. The Second Edition has been completely updated to reflect new technologies as well as the demands upon technology that have evolved since the publication of the First Edition in 1996. The book utilizes a combination of Dreamweaver and Cold Fusion, which are both popular software products that follow industry standards. (The First Edition utilized Level 5 Object, but all references to the software have been removed as it is not deemed a viable tool any longer.) In light of the numerous advances in the field of DSS over the years, there are many topics throughout the book that have updated and revised. For example, data warehousing has increased substantially in importance since the First Edition, and this section has been completely revised. The topic of business intelligence has been added, and similarly, data mining coverage has been increased via additional discussion and examples. In addition, transnational corporations have become more prevalent and are addressed accordingly.

Pro Oracle SQL unlocks the power of SQL in the Oracle Database—one of the most potent SQL implementations on the market today. To master it requires a three-pronged approach: learn the language features, learn the supporting features that Oracle provides to help use the language effectively, and learn to think and work in sets. Karen Morton and her team help you master powerful aspects of Oracle SQL not found in competing databases. You'll learn analytic functions, the MODEL clause, and advanced grouping syntax—techniques that will help in creating good queries for reporting and business intelligence applications. Pro Oracle SQL also helps you minimize parsing overhead, read execution plans, test for correct results, and exert control over SQL execution in your database. You'll learn when to create indexes, how to verify that they make a difference, how to use SQL Profiles to optimize SQL in packaged applications, and much more. You'll also understand how SQL is optimized for working in sets, and that the key to getting accurate results lies in making sure that queries ask clear and precise questions. What's the bottom-line? Pro Oracle SQL helps you work at a truly professional level in Oracle dialect of SQL. You'll master the language, the tools to work effectively with the language, and the right way to think about a problem in SQL. Pro Oracle SQL helps you rise above the crowd to provide stellar service in your chosen profession. Endorsed by the OakTable Network, a group of Oracle technologists well-known for their rigorous and scientific approach to Oracle Database performance Comprehensive - goes beyond the language with a focus on what you need to know to write successful queries and data manipulation statements.

Master the Combined Analysis Tools in Oracle CRM on Demand Drive better decision-making across your enterprise using the reporting and analysis techniques in this Oracle Press guide. Through clear explanations and detailed case studies, Oracle CRM on Demand Combined Analyses shows you how to deliver real-time insightful business intelligence to end users. Learn how to perform multiple queries, join tables, format result columns, and add interactivity to your reports. Methods for filtering the results of a combined analysis are also covered in this practical resource. Create, edit, and join reports with set operators in Oracle Answers On Demand Configure roles and privileges to allow access to development tools Use negative reporting methods to compensate for null data Analyze records from the transactional databases and data warehouse in federated reports Add advanced views such as gauges, view selectors, funnel charts, and narrative views to your combined reports Integrate ad hoc analysis using Oracle Answers on Demand Consolidate information from disparate sources with pivot tables Perform calculations across multiple reports using result columns

Tips, techniques, and trends on harnessing dashboard technology to optimize business performance In Performance Dashboards, Second Edition, author Wayne Eckerson explains what dashboards are, where they can be used, and why they are important to measuring and managing performance. As Director of Research for The Data Warehousing Institute, a worldwide association of business intelligence professionals, Eckerson interviewed dozens of organizations that have built various types of performance dashboards in different industries and lines of business. Their practical insights explore how you can effectively turbo-charge performance–management initiatives with dashboard technology. Includes all-new case studies, industry research, news chapters on "Architecting Performance Dashboards" and "Launching and Managing the Project" and updated information on designing KPIs, designing dashboard displays, integrating dashboards, and types of dashboards. Provides a solid foundation for understanding performance dashboards, business intelligence, and performance management Addresses the next generation of performance dashboards, such as Mashboards and Visual Discovery tools, and including new techniques for designing dashboards and developing key performance indicators Offers guidance on how to incorporate predictive analytics, what-if modeling, collaboration, and advanced visualization techniques This updated book, which is 75% rewritten, provides a foundation for understanding performance dashboards, business intelligence, and performance management to optimize performance and accelerate results.

Data Mining for Business Intelligence, Second Edition uses real data and actual cases to illustrate the applicability of data mining (DM) intelligence in the development of successful business models. Featuring complimentary access to XLMiner®, the Microsoft Office Excel® add-in, this book allows readers to follow along and implement algorithms at their own speed, with a minimal learning curve. In addition, students and practitioners of DM techniques are presented with hands-on, business-oriented applications. An abundant amount of exercises and examples, now doubled in number in the second edition, are provided to motivate learning and understanding. This book helps readers understand the beneficial relationship that can be established between DM and smart business practices, and is an excellent learning tool for creating valuable strategies and making wiser business decisions. New topics include detailed coverage of visualization (enhanced by Spotfire subroutines) and time series forecasting, among a host of other subject matter.

IBM® Cognos® Business Intelligence (BI) helps organizations meet This IBM Redbooks® publication addresses IBM Cognos Business Intelligence V10.1. You can use this book to: This book uses a fictional business scenario to demonstrate the power of IBM Cognos BI. The book is primarily focused on the roles of Advanced Business User, Professional Report Author, Modeler, Administrator, and IT Architect.

Use Microsoft's latest search-based technology-FAST search-to plan, customize, and deploy your search solution FAST is Microsoft's latest intelligent search-based technology that boasts robustness and an ability to integrate business intelligence with Search. This in-depth guide provides you with advanced coverage on FAST search and shows you how to use it to plan, customize, and deploy your search solution, with an emphasis on SharePoint 2010 and Internet-based search solutions. With a particular appeal for anyone responsible for implementing and managing enterprise search, this book presents the key features and functions that are available with FAST search. Real-world examples show you how the technology works and the author team of experts demonstrates how FAST can be used to solve key challenges in the Enterprise. FAST search is Microsoft's latest search-based technology that enables large companies to filter through enormous amounts of data to find very specific pieces of information Reviews the key features and functions of FAST and provides examples of how FAST can be used to solve common challenges you may face Covers Enterprise Search and the Microsoft search product line, SharePoint-focused Enterprise search, and FAST search for Internet business Demonstrates how to implement and manage an enterprise system with FAST search Addresses the future of Enterprise search and the role FAST search will play Don't waste any time! This book will help you act fast so you can get started implementing FAST search today.

This book introduces PowerPivot in Excel 2010 to power users and data analysts who want to use Excel as a business intelligence tool.

A book-and-video introduction to Microsoft's Business Intelligence tools If you are just starting to get a handle on Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) tools, this book and accompanying video provides you with the just the right amount of information to perform basic business analysis and reporting. You'll explore the components and related tools that comprise the Microsoft BI toolset as well as the new BI features of Office 2010. After a basic primer on BI and data modeling, the expert team of authors provides you with step-by-step lessons in the book and videos on the accompanying Video on how to use SQL Server Integration Services, SQL Server Analysis Services, SQL Server Reporting Services, Excel BI (including PowerPivot), and SharePoint. Integrates instructional videos with each of the lessons found in the book to enhance your learning experience Explores the Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) toolset as well as the new BI features of Office 2010 Encourages you to practice what you've learned in "Try It Out" sections Contains video demonstrations that walk you through how to tackle each lesson featured in the book With Knight's Microsoft Business Intelligence 24-Hour Trainer, veteran authors present you with an ideal introductory book-and-video package so that you can get started working with the BI toolset immediately!

250+ Ready-to-Use, Powerful DMX Queries Transform data mining model information into actionable business intelligence using the Data Mining Extensions (DMX) language. Practical DMX Queries for Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2008 contains more than 250 downloadable DMX queries you can use to extract and visualize data. The application, syntax, and results of each query are described in detail. The book emphasizes DMX for use in SSMS against SSAS, but the queries also apply to SSRS, SSIS, DMX in SQL, WinForms, WebForms, and many other applications. Techniques for generating DMX syntax from graphical tools are also demonstrated in this valuable resource. View cases within data mining structures and models using DMX Case queries Examine the content of a data mining model with DMX Content queries Perform DMX Prediction queries based on the Decision Trees algorithm and the Time Series algorithm Run Prediction and Cluster queries based on the Clustering algorithm Execute Prediction queries with Association and Sequence Clustering algorithms Use DMX DDL queries to create, alter, drop, back up, and restore data mining objects Display various parameters for each algorithm with Schema queries Examine the values of discrete, discretized, and continuous structure columns using Column queries Use graphical interfaces to generate Prediction, Content, Cluster, and DDL queries Deliver DMX query results to end users Download the source code from www.mhprofessional.com/computingdownload

Business Intelligence (BI) software allows you to view different components of a business using a single visual platform, which makes comprehending mountains of data easier. BI is everywhere. Applications that include reports, analytics, statistics, and historical and predictive modeling are all examples of BI. Currently, we are in the second generation of BI software—called BI 2.0—which is focused on writing BI software that is predictive, adaptive, simple, and interactive. As computers and software have evolved, more data can be presented to end users with increasingly visually rich techniques. Rich Internet Application (RIA) technologies such as Microsoft Silverlight can be used to transform traditional user-interfaces filled with boring data into fully interactive analytical applications that quickly deliver insight from large data sets. Furthermore, RIA applications now include 3D spatial-design capabilities that move beyond a simple list or grid and allow for interesting layouts of aggregated data. BI 2.0 implemented via an RIA technology can truly bring out the power of BI and deliver it to an average user on the Web. Next-Generation Business Intelligence Software with Silverlight 4 provides developers, designers, and architects with a solid foundation in BI design and architecture concepts for Microsoft Silverlight. This book covers key BI design concepts and how they can be applied without an existing BI infrastructure. Author Bart Czernicki provides you with examples of how to build small BI applications that are interactive, highly visual, statistical, predictive—and most importantly—intuitive to the end-user. BI isn't just for the executive branch of a Fortune 500 company—it is for the masses. Let Next-Generation Business Intelligence Software with Silverlight 4 show you how to unlock the rich intelligence you already have.