Introduction to Microsoft^® Tools for Business Intelligence: Hands-On

What is this course about?

The course gives attendees an introduction to Microsoft's business intelligence strategy and software tools. After taking this course, attendees will have a clear understanding of the use and purpose of each of the Microsoft business intelligence components, including SQL Server database, Integration Services, Reporting Services, Analysis Services, SharePoint, Data Mining add-ins for Excel, PowerPivot for Excel, PowerPivot for SharePoint and PerformancePoint Services for SharePoint.

Who will benefit from this course?

Anyone who needs an introduction to Microsoft Business Intelligence tools, including analysts, database administrators, enterprise architects, system designers and developers.

What background do I need?

This is a software tools course. This course is designed for the technical analyst. Basic database knowledge with any relational database and a background in IT are assumed.

What is SharePoint Server 2010?

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 is the upgraded version of Microsoft SharePoint Services. SharePoint Server 2010 offers workflow functionality, extensive integration with Microsoft Office products, ASP.NET 3.5 compatibility and many other enhanced features. It allows an organization to organize data in a centralized, web-based application.

What is SQL Server?

SQL Server is Microsoft's strategic data management server system. It has a full-featured relational database management system (RDBMS) with support for robust server-side development and data replication. It also has components for integrating data from heterogeneous data sources (SQL Server Integration Services), storing and managing multidimensional data (SQL Server Analysis Services) and enterprise reporting (SQL Server Reporting Services).

What is PowerPivot for Excel?

PowerPivot for Excel is an add-in that Microsoft has released to facilitate self-service business intelligence analysis. With PowerPivot for Excel, ordinary users can integrate data from multiple sources, analyze, slice and dice the data without the need for the IT department to create Analysis Services cubes. The add-in allows millions or even hundreds of millions of rows of data to be imported for analysis, exceeding the Excel worksheet limit of one million rows. PowerPivot for Excel can be complemented with PowerPivot for SharePoint to enable sharing of business intelligence solutions.

What is SharePoint PerformancePoint Services?

SharePoint PerformancePoint Services is a SharePoint performance management service that allows for monitoring progress, analyzing variances, and reporting on analysis using a variety of sophisticated reports. PerformancePoint uses metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and reports delivered to every desktop through intuitive scorecards, dashboards, and the easy-to-use Microsoft Office system environment.

What is the difference between this course and Course 901?

This course focuses on the specific Microsoft tools for resolving business intelligence solutions. Course 901, Introduction to Business Intelligence: Designing a Successful BI Program, is a high level overview of why and how to implement Business Intelligence in your organization. It is not as technical or tools-specific. Course 901 targets the business analyst and manager.

Do I need to have experience working with Business Intelligence solutions to be successful in this course?

Some experience with the tools will help, but you do not need to have specific experience implementing Business Intelligence solutions to succeed in this course. A basic understanding of your business and the type of information you would like to glean from your systems is all the Business Intelligence experience that you need.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much time is spent on the hands-on exercises?

Approximately 40% of the course is devoted to hands-on exercises, allowing you to gain practical experience implementing Business Intelligence solutions with the Microsoft toolset. Exercises include:

• Reviewing a finished BI solution
• Creating a KPI within a cube
• Publishing an Excel workbook to SharePoint
• Building a scorecard with Dashboard Designer
• Forecasting trends with data mining techniques
• Designing a dashboard in SharePoint

What platform is used for the hands-on exercises?

This course uses Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 running on Windows Server 2008.

Why should I take this course instead of one offered by Microsoft?

Learning Tree is dedicated to helping accelerate the careers of our clients by providing them with world-class technology and management training. Our independence from Microsoft (and every other vendor) allows us to give an unbiased view of what works and what does not. This course is objective in its approach, having been developed independently from Microsoft by industry experts who bring their real-world experience to the classroom.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers a number of courses that will help you expand upon the knowledge gained in this course and further your skills in several key areas. Those courses include:

• 538, SharePoint® 2007 Technologies: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction 
• 134, SQL Server® Integration Services: Hands-On 
• 139, SQL Server® Analysis Services: Hands-On 
• 140, SQL Server® 2008 Reporting Services: Hands-On 
• 137, SQL Server® 2008: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction 
• 296, Project Management: Skills for Success 
• 315, Developing User Requirements: The Key to Project Success