Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance M6234 70-448

Course Title: Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services

Course Code: M6234
Version: A
Level: 200
Duration: 3 Days

Course Overview

The Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services M6234 instructor-led training course has been designed to teach candidates how to implement an Analysis Services solution in an organization. The course discusses how to use the Analysis Services development tools to create an Analysis Services database and an OLAP cube, and how to use the Analysis Services management and administrative tools to manage an Analysis Services solution.

Target Audience

Candidates who should consider attending the M6234 Microsoft training course are individuals who design and maintain business intelligence solutions for their organization. These individuals work in environments where databases play a key role in their primary job and may perform database administration and maintenance as part of their primary job responsibilities. The secondary audience for this course is individuals who develop applications that deliver content from SQL Server Analysis Services to the organization.

Course Objectives

On successfully completing the M6234 course candidates will be able to:

• Describe how SQL Server Analysis Services can be used to implement analytical solutions
• Create multidimensional analysis solutions with SQL Server Analysis Services
• Implement dimensions and cubes in an Analysis Services solution
• Implement measures and measure groups in an Analysis Services solution
• Query a multidimensional Analysis Services solution
• Customize an Analysis Services cube
• Deploy and secure an Analysis Services database
• Maintain a multidimensional Analysis Services solution
• Implement a Data Mining solution

Course Prerequisites

Candidates attending the M6234 Microsoft training course are required to have a conceptual understanding of OLAP solutions. In addition candidates are required to have experience with: navigating the Microsoft Windows Server environment, Windows services (starting and stopping), creating service accounts and permissions, Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Server Agent, SQL Server query language (SELECT, UPDATE, INSERT, and DELETE), SQL Server System tables and SQL Server accounts (users and permissions).

Testing and Certification

The M6234 Microsoft training course is the recommended preparation for the 70-448 - TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance exam. To prepare fully for this exam candidates are recommended to attend and complete the M6235: Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Integration Services and M6236: Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services courses before attempting the 70-448 exam.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services

In this module candidates will learn about common analysis scenarios and how Analysis Services provides a powerful platform for multidimensional OLAP solutions and data mining solutions. The module then describes the main considerations for installing Analysis Services.

Lessons:

• Overview of Data Analysis Solutions
• Overview of SQL Server Analysis Services
• Installing SQL Server Analysis Services

Lab: Using SQL Server Analysis Services

• (Level 200) Installing SQL Server Analysis Services
• (Level 200) Verifying Installation

After completing this module, candidates will be able to:

• Describe data analysis solutions
• Describe the key features of SQL Server Analysis Services
• Install SQL Server Analysis Services

Module 2: Creating Multidimensional Analysis Solutions

In this module candidates will learn about the development tools you can use to create an Analysis Services multidimensional analysis solution, and how to create data sources, data source views and cubes.

Lessons:

• Developing Analysis Services Solutions
• Creating Data Sources and Data Source Views
• Creating a Cube

Lab: Creating Multidimensional Analysis Solutions

• (Level 200) Creating a Data Source
• (Level 200) Creating and Modifying a Data Source View
• (Level 200) Creating and Modifying a Cube

After completing this module, candidates will be able to:

• Develop Analysis Services solutions
• Create a data source and a data source view
• Create a cube

Module 3: Working with Cubes and Dimensions

In this module candidates will learn how to edit dimensions and to configure dimensions, attributes, and hierarchies.

Lessons:

• Configuring Dimensions
• Defining Attribute Hierarchies
• Sorting and Grouping Attributes

Lab: Working with Cubes and Dimensions

• (Level 200) Configuring Dimensions
• (Level 200) Defining Relationships and Hierarchies
• (Level 200) Sorting and Grouping Dimension Attributes

After completing this module, candidates will be able to:

• Configure dimensions
• Define hierarchies
• Sort and group attributes

Module 4: Working with Measures and Measure Groups

In this module candidates will learn how to edit and configure measures and measure groups.

Lessons:

• Working With Measures
• Working with Measure Groups

Lab: Working with Measures and Measure Groups

• (Level 200) Configuring Measures
• (Level 200) Defining Dimension Usage and Relationships
• (Level 200) Configuring Measure Group Storage

After completing this module, candidates will be able to:

• Work with measures
• Work with measure groups

Module 5: Querying Multidimensional Analysis Solutions

In this module candidates will learn about multidimensional expressions (MDX) and how to implement calculated members and named sets in an Analysis Services cube.

Lessons:

• MDX Fundamentals
• Adding Calculations to a Cube
Lab: Querying Multidimensional Analysis Solutions
• (Level 200) Querying a Cube by Using MDX
• (Level 200) Creating a Calculated Member
• (Level 200) Defining a Named Set
After completing this module, candidates will be able to:
• Describe Multidimensional Expression (MDX) fundamentals
• Add calculations to a cube

Module 6: Customizing Cube Functionality

In this module candidates will learn how to customize a cube by implementing key performance indicators (KPIs), actions, perspectives and translations.


Lessons:
• Implementing Key Performance Indicators
• Implementing Actions
• Implementing Perspectives
• Implementing Translations
Lab: Customizing Cube Functionality
• (Level 200) Implementing a KPI
• (Level 200) Implementing an Action
• (Level 200) Implementing a Perspective
• (Level 200) Implementing a Translation
After completing this module, candidates will be able to:
• Implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Implement actions
• Implement perspectives
• Implement translations

Module 7: Deploying and Securing an Analysis Services Database

In this module candidates will learn how to deploy an Analysis Services database to a production server, and how to implement security in an Analysis Services multidimensional solution.


Lessons:
• Deploying an Analysis Services Database
• Securing an Analysis Services Database
Lab: Deploying and Securing an Analysis Services Database
• (Level 200) Deploying an Analysis Services Database
• (Level 200) Securing an Analysis Services Database
After completing this module, candidates will be able to:
• Deploy an Analysis Services database
• Secure an Analysis Services database

Module 8: Maintaining a Multidimensional Solution

In this module candidates will learn about the maintenance tasks associated with an Analysis Services solution, and how administrators can use the Analysis Services management tools to perform them.


Lessons:
• Configuring Processing
• Logging, Monitoring, and Optimizing an Analysis Services Solution
• Backing Up and Restoring an Analysis Services Database
Lab: Maintaining a Multidimensional Solution
• (Level 200) Configuring Processing
• (Level 200) Implementing Logging and Monitoring
• (Level 200) Backing Up and Restoring an Analysis Services Database
After completing this module, candidates will be able to:
• Configure processing settings
• Log, monitor, and optimize an Analysis Services solution
• Backup and restore an Analysis Services database

Module 9: Introduction to Data Mining

In this module candidates will learn about data mining, and how to implement data mining structures and models. The module then explains how to validate data model accuracy.


Lessons:
• Overview of Data Mining
• Creating a Data Mining Solution
• Validating Data Mining Models
Lab: Introduction to Data Mining
• (Level 200) Creating a Data Mining Structure
• (Level 200) Adding a Data Mining Model
• (Level 200) Exploring Data Mining Models
• (Level 200) Validating Data Mining Models
After completing this module, candidates will be able to:
• Describe data mining
• Create a data mining solution
• Validate data mining models