Introduction to Analysis Services Fundamentals

What is SQL Server Analysis Services?

SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is a business intelligence platform that provides online analytical processing (OLAP) and data mining functionality for business applications. It's a crucial component for building enterprise-scale data warehouses and decision support systems, enabling users to analyze large amounts of data from various sources and gain actionable insights.

Key features include:

  • Multidimensional Models: Cube-based analysis for pre-aggregated data.
  • Tabular Models: In-memory database technology for faster query performance and simplified development.
  • Data Mining: Algorithms for predicting trends and uncovering hidden patterns.
  • MDX and DAX: Powerful query languages for data exploration.

Why Learn Analysis Services?

Understanding SSAS fundamentals is essential for anyone involved in data analysis, business intelligence development, or database administration. It empowers you to:

  • Build scalable and performant analytical solutions.
  • Enable self-service BI for business users.
  • Improve data-driven decision-making across your organization.
  • Design and implement sophisticated reporting and dashboard solutions.

Prerequisites

Before diving into this tutorial, it's recommended to have a basic understanding of:

  • Relational database concepts (SQL Server, T-SQL).
  • Data warehousing principles (star schema, snowflake schema).
  • Basic business intelligence concepts.

Module 1: Setting Up Your Environment

This module covers the essential steps to get your development environment ready for working with Analysis Services.

1.1 Installing SQL Server Analysis Services

You'll need to install SQL Server along with the Analysis Services feature. During the installation, choose between Multidimensional or Tabular mode based on your project needs.

For this tutorial, we'll focus primarily on the Tabular mode due to its modern architecture and ease of use.

SSAS Installation Steps Typical SQL Server installation wizard with SSAS option.

1.2 Installing SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT)

SSDT is the integrated development environment (IDE) for building SSAS models. It provides project templates and tools for model design, deployment, and management. Make sure to install the latest version compatible with your SQL Server version.

You can download SSDT from the official Microsoft website.

1.3 Connecting to Analysis Services

Once installed, you can connect to your SSAS instance using SSDT or SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

Using SSDT:

  1. Open Visual Studio with SSDT installed.
  2. Go to File > New > Project.
  3. Under Business Intelligence, select Analysis Services.
  4. Choose either Analysis Services Tabular Project or Analysis Services Multidimensional Project.
  5. Configure project settings, including the server name.

Module 2: Building a Tabular Model

This module guides you through the creation of a simple tabular data model.

2.1 Creating a New Tabular Project

Follow the steps outlined in Module 1.2 to create a new Analysis Services Tabular Project.

2.2 Importing Data from a Relational Source

SSAS Tabular models typically connect to a relational database (like SQL Server) as their data source.

In SSDT:

  1. Right-click on Data Sources in Solution Explorer and select Add Data Source.
  2. Choose your data source type (e.g., SQL Server).
  3. Enter the server name and database name.
  4. Configure authentication and test the connection.

2.3 Creating Tables and Relationships

After importing tables, you'll define relationships between them to establish how data is connected. This is crucial for performing accurate analysis.

In the Model Designer view:

  • Use the Diagram View or Table View to visualize your data.
  • Drag and drop columns from one table to another to create relationships, or use the Create Relationship dialog.
  • Ensure the cardinality (one-to-one, one-to-many) and cross-filter direction are set correctly.
SSAS Tabular Model Relationship Diagram A typical relationship diagram in SSAS Tabular model designer.

2.4 Creating Measures and Calculated Columns

Measures are calculations performed on aggregated data (e.g., Sum of Sales, Average Price). Calculated columns are new columns added to a table based on existing data.

Measures:

  • Right-click on a table in the Data Model view and select New Measure.
  • Use DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) formulas to define your measure.
-- Example DAX for a Total Sales measure
SUM(Sales[SalesAmount])

Calculated Columns:

  • Right-click on a table and select New Column.
  • Write a DAX formula that operates row by row.
-- Example DAX for a Full Name calculated column
'DimEmployee'[FirstName] & " " & 'DimEmployee'[LastName]

Module 3: Deploying and Querying Your Model

Learn how to deploy your SSAS model to a server and query it using tools like Excel or Power BI.

3.1 Deploying the Model

Deploying publishes your SSAS model to a configured Analysis Services server.

  1. In SSDT, right-click on the SSAS project and select Deploy.
  2. Configure the Server Name and Database Name for the deployment.
  3. Monitor the deployment progress.

3.2 Connecting with Excel

Excel's Power Pivot or PivotTable feature can connect to SSAS tabular models for interactive analysis.

  1. Open Excel.
  2. Go to the Data tab and click Get Data > From Analysis Services.
  3. Enter your SSAS server name.
  4. Select the database and tables you want to use.
  5. Create PivotTables or PivotCharts based on your model.

3.3 Connecting with Power BI

Power BI provides a seamless experience for connecting to and visualizing data from SSAS.

  1. Open Power BI Desktop.
  2. Click Get data and select SQL Server Analysis Services.
  3. Enter the SSAS server name and choose the model.
  4. Start building reports and dashboards.

3.4 Basic MDX/DAX Queries

You can write queries against your deployed model to retrieve specific data. DAX is the primary language for Tabular models.

Example DAX query to get total sales by year: 

EVALUATE
SUMMARIZECOLUMNS(
    'DimDate'[CalendarYear],
    "Total Sales", SUM(Sales[SalesAmount])
)
ORDER BY 'DimDate'[CalendarYear]

These queries can be executed using tools like DAX Studio or directly within Power BI's DAX query view.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Congratulations! You've learned the fundamental concepts of SQL Server Analysis Services, from setting up your environment to building and deploying a basic tabular model.

To further enhance your skills:

  • Explore advanced DAX functions for complex calculations.
  • Dive deeper into Multidimensional modeling and MDX.
  • Learn about partitioning, security, and performance tuning for SSAS.
  • Integrate SSAS with reporting tools like SSRS and Power BI for comprehensive BI solutions.

The MSDN Community is a great place to ask questions, share knowledge, and stay updated on the latest developments in business intelligence.