Business Intelligence Boot Camp

BI Boot Camp: Five days; Instructor-Led Course Syllabus

Introduction

This five-day instructor led course fast tracks students’ preparation for taking the Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance Exam (70-448). This course combines Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Integration, Analysis and Reporting Services courses, condensing 9 days of training into 5. The course begins by introducing students to the Integration Services portion of SQL Server 2008 by showing how to implement an Integration Services solution in an organization while discussing how to develop, deploy, and manage Integration Services packages. Next, the course discusses the Analysis portion of SQL Server 2008 by teaching students how to use the Analysis Services development tools to create an Analysis Services database and an OLAP cube, and teaches how to use the Analysis Services management and administrative tools to manage an Analysis Services solution. The final portion of the course covers SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services material as it discusses how to use the Reporting Services development tools to create reports, and how to use the Reporting Services management and administrative tools to manage a Reporting Services solution.

Audience

This course is intended for those responsible for creating business intelligence (BI) solutions by using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for their organizations and who will be taking exam 70-448 to get their Business Intelligence Certification.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to SQL Server 2008 Integration Services

The students will be introduced to the role that Integration Services plays in extracting, transforming, and loading data. The students will also be introduced to the tools that are used to build and manage Integration Services solutions.

Lessons

• Overview of SQL Server Integration Services
• Using Integration Services Tools

Lab : Introduction to SQL Server Integration Services

• (Level 200) Using the Import and Export Wizard
• (Level 200) Running an Integration Services Package

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe Integration Services solutions
• Use Integration Services tools

Module 2: Developing Integration Services Solutions

The students will be introduced to the development tasks that are involved in creating an Integration Services package.

Lessons

• Creating an Integration Services Solution
• Using Variables
• Building and Running a Solution

Lab : Developing Integration Services Solutions

• (Level 200) Creating an Integration Services Project
• (Level 200) Implementing a Package
• (Level 200) Building and Running an Integration Services package

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create a SQL Server Integration Services solution.
• Use variables.
• Build and run a solution.

Module 3: Implementing Control Flow

The students will be introduced to the tasks and precedence constraints that can be used to implement control flow in an Integration Services package.

Lessons

• Control Flow Tasks
• Control Flow Precedent Constraints
• Control Flow Containers

Lab : Implementing Control Flow

• (Level 200) Creating a Simple Control Flow
• (Level 200) Configuring Precedence Constraints
• (Level 200) Using Containers

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Configure control flow tasks.
• Configure control flow precedence constraints.
• Configure control flow containers.

Module 4: Implementing Data Flow

The students will be introduced to the data flow sources, transformations, and destinations that can be used to implement a data flow task in an Integration Services control flow. It also explains how to use data flow paths to direct valid and invalid rows through the data flow.

Lessons

• Data Flow Sources and Destinations
• Basic Data Flow Transformations
• Advanced Data Flow Transformations
• Data Flow Paths

Lab : Implementing Data Flow

• (Level 200) Transferring Data
• (Level 200) Implementing Transformations
• (Level 200) Using Data Viewers
• (Level 200) Configuring Error Output

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement data flow sources and destinations.
• Implement basic data flow transformations.
• Implement advanced data flow transformations.
• Implement data flow paths.

Module 5: Implementing Logging

The students will be introduced to how to use logging in an Integration Services package, and explained how to configure and use logging providers to generate information about a package's execution.

Lessons

• Overview of Integration Services Logging
• Enabling and Configuring Logging

Lab : Implementing Logging

• (Level 200) Configuring Logging
• (Level 200) Implementing Custom Logging

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe Integration Services logging.
• Implement Integration Services logging.

Module 6: Debugging and Error Handling

The students will be introduced to how to debug Integration Services packages by using the debugging tools in Business Intelligence Development Studio. It then explains how to implement error-handling logic in an Integration Services package.

Lessons

• Debugging a Package
• Implementing Error Handling

Lab : Debugging and Error Handling

• (Level 300) Debugging a Package
• (Level 300) Implementing Error Handling
• (Level 300) Controlling Failure Behavior

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Debug an SSIS package.
• Implement error handling.

Module 7: Implementing Checkpoints and Transactions

The students will be introduced to what checkpoints are and how to implement them. It then discusses transactions, and describes how to implement transactional data access logic in an Integration Services package.

Lessons

• Implementing Checkpoints
• Implementing Transactions

Lab : Implementing Checkpoints and Transactions

• (Level 200) Implementing Checkpoints in a Package
• (Level 300) Implementing Transactions in a Package
• (Level 300) Implementing a Native Transaction

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement checkpoints.
• Implement transactions.

Module 8: Configuring and Deploying Packages

The students will be introduced to how to create Package Configurations and how to deploy Integration Services packages to production servers.

Lessons

• Package Configurations
• Deploying Packages

Lab : Configuring and Deploying Packages

• (Level 200) Creating a Package Configuration
• (Level 200) Preparing a Package for Deployment
• (Level 200) Deploying a Package

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement package configurations.
• Deploy packages.

Module 9: Managing and Securing Packages

The students will be introduced to the management tasks that relate to Integration Services packages and explained how to perform those tasks by using the Integration Services management tools. It also describes how to secure Integration Services packages.

Lessons

• Managing Packages
• Securing Packages

Lab : Managing and Securing Packages

• (Level 200) Importing a Package
• (Level 200) Configuring and Monitoring a Package
• (Level 200) Scheduling a Package
• (Level 200) Securing a Package

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Manage packages.
• Secure packages.

Module 10: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services

This module introduces common analysis scenarios and describes how Analysis Services provides a powerful platform for multidimensional OLAP solutions and data mining solutions. The module then describes the main considerations for installing Analysis Services.

Lessons

• Overview of Data Analysis Solutions
• Overview of SQL Server Analysis Services
• Installing SQL Server Analysis Services

Lab : Using SQL Server Analysis Services

• (Level 200) Installing SQL Server Analysis Services
• (Level 200) Verifying Installation

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe data analysis solutions.
• Describe the key features of SQL Server Analysis Services.
• Install SQL Server Analysis Services.

Module 11: Creating Multidimensional Analysis Solutions

This module introduces the development tools you can use to create an Analysis Services multidimensional analysis solution, and describes how to create data sources, data source views, and cubes.

Lessons

• Developing Analysis Services Solutions
• Creating Data Sources and Data Source Views
• Creating a Cube

Lab : Creating Multidimensional Analysis Solutions

• (Level 200) Creating a Data Source
• (Level 200) Creating and Modifying a Data Source View
• (Level 200) Creating and Modifying a Cube

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Develop Analysis Services solutions.
• Create a data source and a data source view.
• Create a cube.

Module 12: Working with Cubes and Dimensions

This module describes how to edit dimensions and to configure dimensions, attributes, and hierarchies.

Lessons

• Configuring Dimensions
• Defining Attribute Hierarchies
• Sorting and Grouping Attributes

Lab : Working with Cubes and Dimensions

• (Level 200) Configuring Dimensions
• (Level 200) Defining Relationships and Hierarchies
• (Level 200) Sorting and Grouping Dimension Attributes

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Configure dimensions.
• Define hierarchies.
• Sort and group attributes.

Module 13: Working with Measures and Measure Groups

This module explains how to edit and configure measures and measure groups.

Lessons

• Working With Measures
• Working with Measure Groups

Lab : Working with Measures and Measure Groups

• (Level 200) Configuring Measures
• (Level 200) Defining Dimension Usage and Relationships
• (Level 200) Configuring Measure Group Storage

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Work with measures.
• Work with measure groups.

Module 14: Querying Multidimensional Analysis Solutions

This module introduces multidimensional expressions (MDX) and describes how to implement calculated members and named sets in an Analysis Services cube.

Lessons

• MDX Fundamentals
• Adding Calculations to a Cube

Lab : Querying Multidimensional Analysis Solutions

• (Level 200) Querying a Cube by Using MDX
• (Level 200) Creating a Calculated Member
• (Level 200) Defining a Named Set

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe Multidimensional Expression (MDX) fundamentals.
• Add calculations to a cube.

Module 15: Customizing Cube Functionality

This module explains how to customize a cube by implementing key performance indicators (KPIs), actions, perspectives, and translations.

Lessons

• Implementing Key Performance Indicators
• Implementing Actions
• Implementing Perspectives
• Implementing Translations

Lab : Customizing Cube Functionality

• (Level 200) Implementing a KPI
• (Level 200) Implementing an Action
• (Level 200) Implementing a Perspective
• (Level 200) Implementing a Translation

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Implement actions.
• Implement perspectives.
• Implement translations.

Module 16: Deploying and Securing an Analysis Services Database

This module describes how to deploy an Analysis Services database to a production server, and how to implement security in an Analysis Services multidimensional solution.

Lessons

• Deploying an Analysis Services Database
• Securing an Analysis Services Database

Lab : Deploying and Securing an Analysis Services Database

• (Level 200) Deploying an Analysis Services Database
• (Level 200) Securing an Analysis Services Database

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Deploy an Analysis Services database.
• Secure an Analysis Services database.

Module 17: Maintaining a Multidimensional Solution

This module discusses the maintenance tasks associated with an Analysis Services solution, and describes how administrators can use the Analysis Services management tools to perform them.

Lessons

• Configuring Processing
• Logging, Monitoring, and Optimizing an Analysis Services Solution
• Backing Up and Restoring an Analysis Services Database

Lab : Maintaining a Multidimensional Solution

• (Level 200) Configuring Processing
• (Level 200) Implementing Logging and Monitoring
• (Level 200) Backing Up and Restoring an Analysis Services Database

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Configure processing settings.
• Log, monitor, and optimize an Analysis Services solution.
• Back up and restore an Analysis Services database.

Module 18: Introduction to Data Mining

This module introduces data mining, and describes how to implement data mining structures and models. It then explains how to validate data model accuracy.

Lessons

• Overview of Data Mining
• Creating a Data Mining Solution
• Validating Data Mining Models

Lab : Introduction to Data Mining

• (Level 200) Creating a Data Mining Structure
• (Level 200) Adding a Data Mining Model
• (Level 200) Exploring Data Mining Models
• (Level 200) Validating Data Mining Models

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe data mining.
• Create a data mining solution.
• Validate data mining models.

Module 19: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

The students will be introduced to the role that Reporting Services plays in an organization's reporting life cycle, the key features offered by Reporting Services, and the components that make up the Reporting Services architecture.

Lessons

• Overview of SQL Server Reporting Services
• Installing Reporting Services
• Reporting Services Tools

Lab: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

• (Level 200) Exploring Report Designer
• (Level 200) Exploring Report Manager

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the features of SQL Server Reporting Services.
• Install Reporting Services.
• Describe the Reporting Services tools.

Module 20: Authoring Basic Reports

The students will learn the fundamentals of report authoring, including configuring data sources and data sets, creating tabular reports, summarizing data, and applying basic formatting.

Lessons

• Creating a Basic Table Report
• Formatting Report Pages
• Calculating Values

Lab: Authoring Basic Reports

• (Level 200): Creating a Basic Table Report
• (Level 200): Formatting Report Pages
• (Level 200): Adding Calculated Values

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create a basic table report.
• Format report pages.
• Calculate values for a report.

Module 21: Enhancing Basic Reports

The students will learn about navigational controls and some additional types of data regions, and how to use them to enhance a basic report.

Lessons

• Interactive Navigation
• Displaying Data

Lab: Enhancing Basic Reports

• (Level 200) Using Dynamic Visibility
• (Level 200) Using Document Maps
• (Level 200) Initiating Actions
• (Level 200) Using a List Data Region
• (Level 200) Creating a Tablix Report
• (Level 200) Adding Chart Subreport to Parent Report

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create reports with interactive navigation.
• Display data in various formats.

Module 22: Manipulating Data Sets

The students will explore data sets to a greater depth, including the use of alternative data sources and interacting with a data set through the use of parameters. Students will learn how to dynamically modify the data set underlying a data region by allowing parameters to be sent to the underlying query, as well as will learn to use best practices to implement static and dynamic parameter lists when interacting with queries and stored procedures.

Lessons

• Defining Report Data
• Using Parameters and Filters
• Using Parameter Lists

Lab: Manipulating Data Sets

• (Level 200) Using Parameters to Restrict Query Results
• (Level 200) Using Parameters to Filter Report Data
• (Level 200) Creating Dynamic Parameter Lists
• (Level 200) Using Parameters with a Stored Procedure
• (Level 200) Displaying All Categories in a Parameter List

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Define report data.
• Use parameters and filters.
• Use parameter lists.

Module 23: Using Report Models

The students will learn how to create a report model so that business users can create their own reports without using the full Report Designer development environment. Students will also learn how to use Report Builder to create a report from a report model.

Lessons

• Creating Report Models
• Using Report Builder

Lab: Using Report Models

• (Level 200) Creating a Report Model
• (Level 200) Using Report Builder to Create a Report

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create Report Models.
• Use Report Builder.

Module 24: Publishing and Executing Reports

The students will learn the various options you can use to publish reports to the report server and execute them.

Lessons

• Publishing Reports
• Executing Reports
• Creating Cached Instances
• Creating Snapshots and Report History

Lab: Publishing and Executing Reports

• (Level 200) Publishing Reports
• (Level 200) Executing Reports
• (Level 200) Configuring and Viewing a Cached Report
• (Level 200) Configuring and Viewing a Snapshot Report

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Publish reports.
• Execute reports.
• Create cached instances.
• Create snapshots and report history.

Module 25: Using Subscriptions to Distribute Reports

The students will learn how to implement subscriptions so that you can distribute reports either automatically by e-mail or by publishing reports to a shared folder.

Lessons

• Introduction to Report Subscriptions
• Creating Report Subscriptions
• Managing Report Subscriptions

Lab: Using Subscriptions to Distribute Reports

• (Level 200) Creating a Standard Subscription
• (Level 200) Creating a Data-Driven Subscription

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe report subscriptions.
• Create report subscriptions.
• Manage report subscriptions.

Module 26: Administering Reporting Services

The students will learn how to administer the Reporting Services server, how to monitor and optimize the performance of the report server, how to maintain the Reporting Services databases, and how to keep the system secure.

Lessons

• Reporting Server Administration
• Performance and Reliability Monitoring
• Administering Report Server Databases
• Security Administration
• Upgrading to Reporting Services 2008

Lab: Administering Reporting Services

• (Level 200) Using Reporting Services Configuration Manager
• (Level 200) Securing a Reporting Services Site
• (Level 200) Securing Items

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Administer the reporting server.
• Monitor performance and reliability.
• Administer the Report Server databases.
• Administer security.
• Upgrade to Reporting Services 2008.

Module 27: Programming Reporting Services

The students will learn how to query Reporting Services information programmatically and how to automate report management tasks. Students will also learn how to render reports without relying on Report Manager, and how to extend the feature set of a report server by creating custom code.

Lessons

• Querying for Server Information Using a Web Service
• Automating Report Management
• Rendering Reports
• Creating Custom Code

Lab: Programming Reporting Services

• (Level 200) Using URL Access to Display a Report
• (Level 200) Building a Reporting Services Web Service Client
• (Level 200) Using the Report Viewer Control

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Query server information using a Web service.
• Automate report management.
• Render reports.
• Create custom code.

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