Book Image

SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook

Book Image

SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook

Overview of this book

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system. As a database, it is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications. SQL Server Analysis Services adds OLAP and data mining capabilities for SQL Server databases. OLAP (online analytical processing) is a technique for analyzing business data for effective business intelligence. This practical guide teaches you how to build business intelligence solutions using Microsoft’s core product – SQL Server Analysis Services. The book covers the traditional multi-dimensional model which has been around for over a decade as well as the tabular model introduced with SQL Server 2012. Starting with comparing MultiDimensional and tabular models – discussing the values and limitations of each, you will then cover the essential techniques for building dimensions and cubes. Following on from this, you will be introduced to more advanced topics, such as designing partitions and aggregations, implementing security, and synchronizing databases for solutions serving many users. The book also covers administrative material, such as database backups, server configuration options, and monitoring and tuning performance. We also provide a primer on MultiDimensional eXpressions (MDX) as well as Data Analysis expressions (DAX) languages. This book provides you with data cube development techniques, and also the ongoing monitoring and tuning for Analysis Services.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook
Credits
About the Authors
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Creating a KPI


Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are used to visualize specific metrics that represent the overall health of what is being measured, such as sales or growth. The Tabular Model supports the creation of KPIs that can be used in various client tools.

Getting ready

You need to first create a calculated measure. We will use two new calculations for this KPI in the Internet Sales table. In Measure Grid, create a new measure in the Total Product Cost column, named Total Cost. You can do this by simply clicking on a cell in the column in Measure Grid in the Total Product Cost column. Next, use the aggregation shortcut on the toolbar to create a SUM measure and rename the column Total Cost.

Once you have Total Cost created, you will use Total Cost and Total Sales created in the previous recipe to create a new measure named Cost Percent. In Measure Grid, click on a cell and add the following expression to the formula bar:

Cost Percent:=[Total Cost] / [Total Sales]

All that is left is to...