SQLBits 2011

Automating SSAS cube documentation using SSRS, DMV and Spatial Data

This session will show how to use DMVs (data management views) to query the OLAP cube structure, and then use SSRS to create a set of interactive reports including the BUS matrix, and using spatial data to generate automated star schemas.

Most developers’ attitude to documentation is well known! So why not make it interesting and automate it using some of the new features available in SQL Server? This session will show how to use DMVs (data management views) to query the OLAP cube structure, and then use SSRS to create a set of interactive reports including the BUS matrix, and using spatial data to generate automated star schemas. After you’ve done this once it will provide live structure documentation, automatically updating itself every time the cube structure is updated.

Alex Whittles's previous sessions

Prepare for Fabric with Power BI Governance, Auditing and DR

With the introduction of Microsoft Fabric, taking control of your rapidly growing Power BI estate provides an ever-increasing challenge. In this session we’ll look at how we can monitor activity, structure Power BI and Fabric for better management, and increase transparency. This will cover native Power BI functionality, additional Microsoft tools, as well as Power BI Sentinel.

Power BI Composite and Hybrid Models

Take Power BI to the next level to support real-time and BIG data, and find out how hybrid and composite models can open up unlimited flexibility and scalability.

Power BI governance, disaster recovery and auditing

As your Power BI usage grows you need to think carefully about how to plan and manage your tenant so you don't lose control of it and end up in Power BI Hell. Including security, planning, auditing, advanced data lineage and more.

Power BI Calculation Groups

Level up your Power BI capability by using calculation groups to simplify time intelligence (WTD, MTD, etc) and more

Power BI Composite and Advanced Models

Take Power BI to the next level to support BIG data, as well as layering logic over the top of an existing cube or dataset for unlimited flexibility.

Machine Learning and Power BI

In this session we’ll look at what ML tools are available in the Power BI and Azure worlds, and how you go about using these in your Power BI reports

So what's this Machine Learning all about?

Machine Learning is a popular buzzword, but what does it actually look like, and how can we use it? This session will show a number of high level examples of using ML to do some useful and fun stuff, including training a model to play a game

An Introduction to Machine Learning

Learn how to build an Azure Machine Learning model, how to use, integrate and consume the model within other applications, and learn the basic principles and statistics concepts available in the different ML algorithms.

Using PowerBI and DAX to predict and win Fantasy F1

Using PowerQuery, PowerPivot, PowerView and DAX to model, analyse and win a Fantasy Formula 1 league. Guarantee yourself eternal glory as a braniac petrol head, and become a PowerBI and DAX pro in the process.

In this session we'll look at the structure and basics of MDX, the Multi Dimensional query eXpression language for querying Analysis Services OLAP cubes. We'll start at the beginning, so no previous experience necessary.

Data Modeling for Analysis Services Cubes

In this session we’ll look at a number of different data scenarios and explore ways of remodelling the data to optimise it for cubes and MDX. Sometimes a small ETL change can have a dramatic impact on the cube's functionality and simplicity.

Loading Data Warehouse Dimensions in SSIS

This session looks at some of the different methods available to load slowly changing dimension data into a data warehouse, and compares the relative performance given different data scenarios and traditional storage compared with FusionIO

Automating SSAS cube documentation using SSRS, DMV and Spatial Data

This session will show how to use DMVs (data management views) to query the OLAP cube structure, and then use SSRS to create a set of interactive reports including the BUS matrix, and using spatial data to generate automated star schemas.

PowerPivot and QlikView 101

How to get started with PowerPivot and QlikView. Covering how to combine data sources, common pitfalls, adding some calculation logic and building a basic dashboard. We’ll walk through the same example on both systems and compare the results.