James works at Microsoft as a big data and data warehousing solution architect where he has been for most of the last eleven years. Before that he was an independent consultant working as a Data Warehouse/Business Intelligence architect and developer. He is a prior SQL Server MVP with over 40 years of IT experience. Check out his book Deciphering Data Architectures: Choosing Between a Modern Data Warehouse, Data Fabric, Data Lakehouse, and Data Mesh.
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 →
I went to the PASS Business Analytics Conference last week, and had an absolute blast. I presented two sessions, and attended many more, and was also part of the live blogging panel at both keynotes. I learned a lot, but … Continue reading →
Last week at the PASS Business Analytics Conference in Chicago, Microsoft disclosed a public preview of GeoFlow for Excel (download). GeoFlow is a 3D visualization tool for mapping, exploring and interacting with both geographic and chronological data, providing users with a new … Continue reading →
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 →
Thanks to everyone who attended my sessions “Overview of Microsoft Appliances” and “Building an Effective Data Warehouse Architecture” at the PASS Business Analytics Conference. Here are the PowerPoint presentations: Overview of Microsoft Appliances and Building an Effective Data Warehouse Architecture. Overview of Microsoft Appliances … Continue reading →
Apologies if you went to my site this morning to see my blog from the bloggers table at PASS Business Analytics Conference. Turns out a firewall issue blocked me from getting to my site (and many others). So I wound up … Continue reading →
The PASS Business Analytics Conference is almost here! Check out the sessions to be presented at the conference and you will see there are a ton of great sessions and great speakers. I feel fortunate to be able to speak alongside many of … Continue reading →
A quick list of how each of these Microsoft BI tools handles the two data sources “SQL Server” (relational-based) and “Analysis Services” (cubed-based, which can be the multidimensional model or the tabular model). Note that any reporting tool that supports the … Continue reading →
My first article in SQL Server Pro magazine has been published, in the April 2013 issue. It is entitled “SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence Enhancements” and can be found here (web) or here (mag). I hope you enjoy it!
Continue reading →I had someone ask me the other day if they are using SSIS 2012 Project Versions, is there any benefit to using TFS? The answer is Yes! While Project Versions is a new feature that keeps prior versions of SSIS … Continue reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Version 2 of Parallel Data Warehouse (PDW) is apparently due this month (and can be ordered as of March 1st). The official name is Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Parallel Data Warehouse. Info on HP’s version: HP AppSystem for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Parallel … Continue reading →
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 →
I have been using Microsoft’s Master Data Services (MDS) on a daily basis for the last 8 months. I also have been using Microsoft’s Data Quality Services (DQS) for the last couple of months. While both products are very good and … Continue reading →
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 →
UPDATE 10/21/13: Data Explorer is now called Power Query (download). Data Explorer (download), which I first mentioned in my blog about PASS Summit 2011 (SQL Server 2012 and other PASS announcements), has finally taken the next step and is now … Continue reading →
Thanks to everyone who attended my session “Data Warehouse Architecture” to the PASS DBA virtual chapter. There were over 200 attendees! The recording of the session is available here. Here is the PowerPoint presentation: Building an Effective Data Warehouse Architecture Data Warehouse Architecture You’re a … Continue reading →
I will be presenting the session “Data Warehouse Architecture” this Wednesday, Feb 27th at 11:00am CST to the PASS DBA virtual chapter. Below is the abstract. It will be a remote presentation that you can join online. Details are here. This … Continue reading →