December 17, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Hi Folks,
I am a SQL Server DBA/Developer at my organization which is into Entertainment/Media industry. Very soon we are planning to have a datawarehouse to take care of our reporting needs. As a database guy i am being asked to come up with some kind of Design/Architecture document.
Though i understand some of the DWH jargons, i have never implemented any DWH projects. This is going to be my first datawarehouse project.
Could you suggest any good books on DWH? Also what are some of the approaches should i need to take in order to begin with the designing of the DWH.
Any inputs will be highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Amol
Amol Naik
December 17, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Hello,
Did you already take a look at this MS Page on DW Design Best Practices:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/isv/bb190492.aspx
Regards,
John Marsh
www.sql.lu
SQL Server Luxembourg User Group
December 18, 2008 at 5:25 am
As far as Data Warehousing goes anything by Ralph Kimball or the Kimball Group is great content. There is the Data Warehouse Toolkit, ETL Toolkit, Webhouse Toolkit, Lifecycle Toolkit, etc.
You can also refer to this link for some additional resources:
http://www.ssas-info.com/analysis-services-books
I would also recommend going to http://kimballgroup.com for additional design information and tips
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Dan English - http://denglishbi.wordpress.com
December 20, 2008 at 6:18 am
Project Real from Microsoft is a good resource for understanding business intelligence - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/projreal.mspx#EEAAC
Also Adventure works has a DW example
December 20, 2008 at 6:35 am
Yeah, Project Real is an excellent source of reference in regards to implementing best practices. This was the big case study that was done with SQL Server 2005 with Barnes & Noble. Great content and white papers to read and review along with databases and SSIS packages to reference.
In regards to methodologies there is the Kimball Lifecyle book I listed and you can also take a look at a couple of additional references:
CodePlex BI Architecture and Design
http://www.codeplex.com/BIArchAndDesignGuide
SQLBI Methodology
http://www.sqlbi.com/Default.aspx?tabid=88
MS Toolkit book file reference
http://www.msftdwtoolkit.com/ToolsandUtilities/ToolandUtilities.htm
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Dan English - http://denglishbi.wordpress.com
December 20, 2008 at 9:28 am
Thanks a ton everybody.
Amol Naik
December 23, 2008 at 1:52 am
I think most people have covered all the books that are worth looking at. One tip I would give is that ensure that the user requirements are well understood. As there is nothing worse than delivering a technically brilliant white elephant.
Also if possible see if you can get some quick wins out of your design as if your users are new to the whole concept of BI/DW then their requirements will more than likely increase as they get access to the system.
Also ensure that the users are comfortable with the reporting layer that is to be used as if they are not they will not use it.
December 23, 2008 at 6:11 am
I feel like we're beating a dead horse at this point but I need to add on to what ...curril said.
I was in the same boat 2 years ago, the sole person responsible for delivering BI to the end users.
I had the technical knowledge, but I was not a business analyst and failed in truly understanding the users needs, this resulted in low user confidence of the data warehouse and it took a long time to get that back, we have since hired a BI analyst whose primary responsibility is user requirements and data presentation.
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