What's New in Analysis Services 2022

This document details the significant new features, enhancements, and improvements introduced in SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) 2022. We'll cover advancements in performance, usability, developer experience, and integration with the broader Microsoft data ecosystem.

Performance and Scalability Enhancements

Analysis Services 2022 brings substantial performance boosts through:

Optimized Query Engine: Further improvements to the VertiPaq engine for faster query execution on large datasets.
Enhanced Caching Mechanisms: More intelligent caching strategies to reduce latency for frequently accessed data.
Improved Parallel Processing: Better utilization of multi-core processors for tabular model processing and calculations.
Scalability for Enterprise Workloads: Designed to handle ever-increasing data volumes and user concurrency.

Developer and Management Experience

We've focused on making development and administration more efficient:

Tabular Model Scripting Language (TMSL) Updates: New commands and improvements for scripting tabular model management.
DAX Studio Integration: Enhanced integration and tooling support for DAX query optimization.
Visual Studio Integration: Streamlined development experience within Visual Studio, including improved IntelliSense and debugging.
Azure Arc Integration (Preview): Manage on-premises SSAS instances using Azure Arc for centralized control and monitoring.

New Analytical Capabilities

Discover new ways to model and analyze your data:

Advanced Time Intelligence Functions: New DAX functions for more sophisticated time-based analysis.
Enhanced Date and Time Data Type Handling: Improved support and performance for date and time data.
JSON and XML Data Integration: Simpler and more efficient ways to ingest and process JSON and XML data.

Security and Governance

Strengthening security for your analytical solutions:

Row-Level Security Enhancements: More granular control over data access at the row level.
Improved Auditing Capabilities: Comprehensive logging for security-related events.
Integration with Azure Active Directory: Seamless authentication and authorization with Azure AD.

Note: Some features, especially those marked as preview, may evolve or have specific licensing requirements. Please refer to the official Microsoft licensing documentation for details.

Migration and Compatibility

Guidance on migrating from older versions and ensuring compatibility:

Backward Compatibility: Analysis Services 2022 maintains high backward compatibility with previous versions.
Migration Tools: Updated tools and scripts to assist in migrating existing SSAS models.
Upgrade Advisor: Tools to help assess your current SSAS deployment for upgrade readiness.

Getting Started

To leverage these new features, ensure you have the latest version of SQL Server Analysis Services 2022 installed. For detailed implementation guides and API references, please explore the full documentation set.

Resources: