Chapter 7. Designing OLAP Cubes Using BIDS

In Chapters 1 through 6, we set the stage for you to begin developing Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) OLAP cubes using Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS). In those chapters, we defined business intelligence (BI) and introduced you to some of its terminology, concepts, languages, and process and modeling methodologies. We then looked at other tools you’ll be using, such as SQL Server Management Studio and Microsoft SQL Server Profiler. Now, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work in BIDS. In this chapter, we’ll tour the BIDS interface for Analysis Services OLAP cubes by looking at the AdventureWorksample cube in the Adventure Works DW 2008 OLAP database. We’ll also build a simple cube from scratch so that you can see the process to do that.