Some of the students in my SQL Server business intelligence classes (SSAS, SSRS, SSIS) have started asking about PowerPivot. Here’s a nice overview video (about 13 mins, can be downloaded for offline viewing)  from MSDN’s Channel 9 on the topic:

PowerPivot in Microsoft Excel 2010

PowerPivot for Excel is an Excel 2010 add-in that allows users to pull data from multiple sources, mash them up, and then build reports using regular pivot tables. You can even share these reports with others in Microsoft SharePoint (via PowerPivot for SharePoint). In this demo, Julie Strauss, Program Manager for Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, shows just how easy it is to get a better view into your data.

What is SQL Saturday?

SQLSaturday is a training event for SQL Server professionals and those wanting to learn about SQL Server. Admittance to this event is free with the exception of a $10 lunch fee; all other costs are covered by donations and sponsorships. Please register soon as seating is limited. Please also let friends and colleagues know about the event.

When and Where?

SQL Saturday #52 – Colorado is September 25, 2010 at the Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church:

10150 E. Belleview Avenue
Englewood, CO 80111
Map

Who is Presenting and what is the Schedule?

Thus far, we have over 50 abstracts submitted by local and national SQL Server Experts. We are working hard to review these abstracts and organize a schedule. The schedule along with the submitted abstracts can be viewed here.

Where can I register?

Event registration is now open

How can I help Sponsor this event?

Event sponsorship can be submitted here.

How can I help?

We will be looking for volunteers as we get closer to the event date. However, we need help spreading the word. Please forward this to your friends and colleagues that are interested in learning more about SQL Server.

For my 6234 and 2791 students, a new whitepaper about SSAS storage modes, and getting the most out of ROLAP, from the folks at the SQLCAT team:

Analysis Services ROLAP for SQL Server Data Warehouses - Whitepapers

SQL Server Technical Case Study

Summary: This technical case study describes how the SQL Server® Customer Advisory Team (SQLCAT), in collaboration with SQL Server developers, tested and optimized a large Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) solution based on SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services by using the Relational OLAP (ROLAP) storage mode.

A frequently-asked question in my SSRS and/or SSAS classes goes something like this: "How do I enter my own MDX query in an SSRS report rather than use the query builder?" While the GUI doesn't make it obvious, the answer is to use the Design Mode toggle button in the Query Designer:

WARNING: if you hand-edit the query statement, and then toggle the Query Designer button, your query text will be lost. Be careful! (Happily, the UI does provide a warning dialog box.) Update: for some reason, the graphic is being cut off, hiding the pointer to the toolbar button I'm depicting. Please use this link to see the full picture, until I can re-edit the post

Here are some additional resources as discussed in this week’s class here at Ameriteach:

Classes:

• Taking the Mystery out of MDX  August 26-27 at Ameriteach
• MDX for Analysis and Reporting Services June 21-23 at Ameriteach

Books:

• Expert Cube Development with Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services (Publisher link for ebook) (Amazon link)
• Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit: With SQL Server 2005 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset (Kimball Group) (Amazon link) (source code files)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 MDX Step by Step (Amazon link)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services Step by Step (Amazon link)
• MDX Solutions: With Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 and Hyperion Essbase (Amazon Link)
• SQL Server MVP Deep Dives – written by a posse of MVPs, proceeds go to charity

White Papers:

• Analysis Services 2008 Performance Guide

Sites/Blogs: (These represent just a portion of the great resources out there)

• Microsoft SQL Server Customer Advisory Team
• Kimball Group
• http://www.ssas-info.com/
• Teo Lachev's blog
• Chris Webb’s blog
• Brian Knight’s blog (lots of great info on other SQL BI tools as well as SSAS)
• Stacia Misner’s blog
• Richard Lees’s blog (some very cool live online demos)
• Darren Gosbell’s blog
• Todd McDermid’s blog
• Nick Barclay's blog
• Alberto Ferrari’s blog
• Yaniv Mor’s blog

Tools:

• BIDS Helper
• MDX Studio
• Excel Data Mining Plug-in (for SQL Server and Excel 2007)
• Adventureworks Sample Databases
• Adventureworks Sample SSAS project
• Contoso Retail Sample DW and SSAS Project (larger data volumes)
• Project REAL
• SSRS Reports to document SSAS 2008 DB structure using DMVs 

Online Virtual Labs

• Labs at MSDN – most of the BI content is for 2005, but much still applies to SSAS 2008
• Labs at TechNet – same comment applies as above

Miscellaneous:

• Clearing the cache for performance monitoring