In this article, we will explore a second approach to the creation of a local cube. While we will rely again upon the PivotTable report as our design and development tool, this time we will focus more on the use of Microsoft Query (“MS Query”), and begin with a relational database instead of an MSAS server-based cube. We will discuss advantages in taking this approach and situations for which it is especially useful. As with the prior article, Introduction to Local Cubes, the intent of this article is to offer options for more independence from the perspective of the information consumer, as well as to make the fruits of MSAS OLAP available to enterprise team members through the conduits of the applications that are pervasive in the desktop population we find in business today.

In this article, we will:

• Discuss the creation of a local cube from a relational data source;
• Discuss scenarios where starting with a relational source might be advantageous;
•  Discuss how the creation of a local cube from a relational data source can be used to complement an MSAS implementation;
•  Derive a subset of relational data as the basis of our local cube with the Query Wizard;
• Introduce the OLAP Cube Wizard, and complete design of our local cube;
• Discuss the results obtained through the various steps of the cube development process in our practice exercises.

Read the Article ...

About the Series:

This article is a member of the series Introduction to MSSQL Server 2000 Analysis Services. The series is designed to provide hands-on application of the fundamentals of MS SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services, with each installment progressively adding features and techniques designed to meet specific real - world needs. For more information on the series, as well as the hardware / software requirements to prepare for the exercises we will undertake, please see my initial article, Creating Our First Cube.
MSAS, MSSQL, SQL, Server, Analysis, Services, Local, Offline, Cube, MDX, Excel, 2003, Office
All Contents Copyright Island Technologies Inc. ^®  Island Technologies^® and Island Technologies Inc.^®  are registered trademarks of Island Technologies Inc., protected in the United States and other countries.  For information, contact Island.