About James Serra
I am an independent consultant with the title of Business Intelligence/Data Warehouse/Master Data Management Architect and Developer, specializing in the Microsoft SQL Server BI stack.Need some help?
If you are looking for help in building a data warehouse or end-to-end BI solution, send me an email and we can discuss your needs. I am available for short or long-term projects.Follow Me!
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Recent Posts
- Consulting company: Perm/Salaried vs 1099/W2
- When the person you hire is not the person you hire
- Should placement companies use a markup %?
- Data cleansing in SSIS, DQS, and MDS
- Billing rates – other side of the fence, part 2
- Want me to do a presentation?
- Enhance your career by blogging!
- Consultants – Why pay more?
- Industry Expert Interview
- PASS Business Analytics Conference: the ultimate networking
Recent Comments
- Andrew Notarian on MDS: The Microsoft SQL Server license has expired
- Consulting company: Perm/Salaried vs 1099/W2 - SQL Server - SQL Server - Toad World on Consultants: 1099 or W-2?
- Consulting company: Perm/Salaried vs 1099/W2 - SQL Server - SQL Server - Toad World on Salaried employee vs contractor
- Jeff Moden on When the person you hire is not the person you hire
- Sven Aelterman on Jumping from SSIS 2008 to SSIS 2012
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Top Posts & Pages
- Data Warehouse Architecture - Kimball and Inmon methodologies
- Salaried employee vs contractor
- SSDT - Installation confusion
- Visual Studio 2012 does not support BI
- Improving cube processing time
- Create SQL Server scripts with Visio 2010
- Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse (PDW) Explained
- Consulting company: Perm/Salaried vs 1099/W2
- Consultants: 1099 or W-2?
Favorite Blogs
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Category Archives: Business Intelligence
Industry Expert Interview
I don’t know if I would consider myself an industry expert, but hey, it says it on the Internet, so it just be true (because you can’t put anything on the Internet that’s not true). An interview I did to … Continue reading
PASS SQL Saturday in Chicago Presentation Slides
Thanks to everyone who attended my sessions “What exactly is Business Intelligence?” and “Building an Effective Data Warehouse Architecture” at the PASS SQL Saturday in Chicago. Here are the PowerPoint presentation: What exactly is Business Intelligence? and Building an Effective Data Warehouse Architecture. What … Continue reading
SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence Enhancements
My first article in SQL Server Pro magazine has been published. It is entitled “SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence Enhancements” and can be found here. I hope you enjoy it!
Benefits of using views in a BI solution
Using SQL Server views throughout a Business Intelligence (BI) solution can provide a tremendous amount of benefits. Here is a list of such benefits, taken in large part from the excellent video SQLBI Methodology by Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari: Benefit … Continue reading
Why you need Business Intelligence
First lets define what Business Intelligence (BI) is. My favorite definitions: Forrester Research: “Business Intelligence is a set of methodologies, processes, architectures, and technologies that transform raw data into meaningful and useful information used to enable more effective strategic, tactical, … Continue reading
Top BI Enhancements for SQL Server 2012 Presentation Slides
Thanks to everyone who attended my session “Top BI Enhancements for SQL Server 2012” at the Houston Area SQL Server User Group Monthly Meeting. Here is the PowerPoint presentation: Top BI Enhancements for SQL Server 2012 Top BI Enhancements for SQL Server 2012 What are … Continue reading
Top BI Enhancements for SQL Server 2012 Presentation
Next Tuesday, March 12th at 1:15pm CST, I will be presenting the session “Top BI Enhancements for SQL Server 2012” at the Houston Area SQL Server User Group Monthly Meeting. Below is the abstract. I will be presenting in person but you … Continue reading
Visual Studio 2012 now supports BI!
My most popular blog has been Visual Studio 2012 does not support BI. In short, this means VS 2012 does not support SSAS, SSIS, or SSRS. Well, not anymore! Just released is Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools – Business Intelligence for … Continue reading
“DBA: Transitioning to a BI Role” Presentation Slides
Thanks to everyone who attended my presentation “DBA: Transitioning to a BI Role” at the PASS Professional Development Virtual Chapter. The recording of the session is available here. Here is the PowerPoint presentation: DBA: Transitioning to a BI Role I had some excellent questions … Continue reading
“DBA: Transitioning to a BI Role” Presentation
Tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb 13th) at Noon CST I will be presenting the session “DBA: Transitioning to a BI Role” at the PASS Professional Development Virtual Chapter. Below is the abstract. It will be a remote presentation that you can join online. … Continue reading