From the Back Cover

Learn to use SQL Server 2008 R2 to build a successful data warehouse

As the most influential thought leaders in the data warehousing and business intelligence industry, the Kimball Group has developed pioneering techniques that serve as industry standards for DW/BI system design, development, and management. With this new edition of their bestseller, veteran experts from the Kimball Group get you up to speed with using the new Business Intelligence release of SQL Server: SQL Server 2008 R2. Covering the complete suite of data warehousing and BI tools that are part of SQL Server 2008 R2, the authors follow the full project lifecycle, including design, development, deployment, and maintenance.

In addition to a substantial update to the content of the previous edition as well as a look at the new features and functionality of SQL Server 2008 R2 such as PowerPivot and Master Data Services, this new version includes detailed examples that illustrate how to best apply the techniques described in the book. The authors share their own trial-and-error experiences of building a DW/BI system with the Microsoft tools so that you can benefit from their challenges and successes. You'll also discover how using the Kimball Lifecycle to build your DW/BI system encourages you to zero in on four primary principles: focus on the business, build an information infrastructure, deliver in meaningfulincrements, and deliver the entire solution. With these principles in hand, you'll be well on your way to building a successful DW/BI system that supports business intelligence requirements common to most organizations.

No matter your role in the process of working on a DW/BI project, The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit, Second Edition shows you how to:

Focus your efforts on the best opportunities

Select, install, and configure the appropriate components of SQL Server 2008 R2 and other Microsoft products

Design the dimensional model and create the database structures for the relational and Analysis Services databases

Build an ETL System in Integration Services to populate the DW/BI databases

Build the BI applications and data mining models to deliver value to your organization

Manage, secure, and grow the DW/BI system for long-term success

With SQL Server 2008 R2 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset

About the Author

Joy Mundy is a member of the Kimball Group and has been focusing on data warehousing and business intelligence since the early 1990s.

Warren Thornthwaite has been building decision support and data warehousing systems since 1980 and is a member of the Kimball Group.

Ralph Kimball, PhD, is known worldwide as an innovator, writer, educator, speaker, and consultant in the field of data warehousing. He is the founder of the Kimball Group (www.kimballgroup.com), which provides data warehouse consulting and education.