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Tabular model: Not ready for prime time?
While the tabular model in SSAS makes it much easier to build cubes than the multidimensional model, I am not seeing it used as much as I expected. One reason is if you are a BI developer and have...
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Power BI first impressions
I have been using Power BI the past few weeks after I was invited by Microsoft to test the Power BI for Office 365 Preview (register here). I have to say I am extremely impressed. It allows for a...
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SQL Server Data Tools BI (SSDT-BI) for SQL Server 2014
Last month I blogged that SQL Server Data Tools for SQL Server 2014 CTP2 now available. You can download that here. This will run the SSDT install (not a SQL Server 2014 install). This installs the...
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Create video presentations
I recorded my first video presentation and demo using the screen recording and video editing software called Camtasia Studio for Windows. It’s a great product that makes it easy to create videos that...
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Power BI for Office 365 video
A demonstration of Power BI for Office 365, showing you how all the various tools and technologies work together: Power Query, Power Pivot, Power View, Power Map, Power BI sites, Data Management, Power...
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SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) – October 2013 update
Since my last post about the SSDT update for August, there have been two updates, each containing one fix: The September 2013 release has a targeted fix for the Schema Compare error when working with...
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Power BI for Office 365 requirements
“Power BI” is an umbrella name for a lot of products, which I explain at Power BI first impressions (also I have a video at Power BI for Office 365 video). Each of these products have different...
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Power Query Preview November Update
As I mentioned in my previous post (see Power BI first impressions), Power Query is a great new tool and Microsoft has been updating it frequently. The latest update has many new features, among them:...
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Certification Updates for SQL Server 2014
Info from Microsoft on how the MCSA and MCSE certifications will be altered for SQL Server 2014: In reviewing the SQL Server 2014 product, the Microsoft Learning Experiences team determined that the...
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Power BI for Office 365 FAQ
As I have been giving demos on Power BI for Office 365, I have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback, with many clients really loving it. There are common questions that I hear, and I...
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Power Query Preview December Update
Microsoft keep turning out updates to Power Query. For December, some of the new features (download): Connection to three more data sources: Sybase IQ, Exchange, and Dynamics CRM Online When using the...
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I’m presenting at the PASS Business Analytics Conference
I am fortunate enough to have been selected to give a presentation at the PASS Business Analytics Conference in San Jose, CA on May 7-9. Below is my presentation abstract along with more info about...
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Power Query load settings
One point of confusion I see with Power Query is some people believe Power Query adheres to the Excel limit of a max of 1,048,576 rows that can be imported. However, there is a way around this limit....
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Entity Data Modeling with Visual Studio
While there are a lot of tools out there for data modeling, there is one option that is free if you have Visual Studio. It’s called the Entity Data Model Designer. It works well if you need a...
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Power BI Q&A Preview now works on your data
As I mentioned in Power BI first impressions, Power BI Q&A is an instantaneous search experience that uses a natural language query. The user enters a question and it interprets it and serves up...
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SQL Server 2014 In-Memory OLTP (Hekaton) Limitations
One of the biggest new features in SQL Server 2014 is SQL Server In-Memory OLTP, known mostly by its code name of Hekaton (see SQL Server 2014: In-memory OLTP Engine, code-name: Hekaton). Basically,...
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Business Intelligence/Data Warehouse Assessment
When I am tasked to do a business intelligence or data warehouse assessment, the steps I take to do that depend on the amount of time and the number of people I have. The result of the assessment will...
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Independent consultant: How to find work
When I talk to people about switching from being a salaried employee to an independent consultant (see my presentation How to make a LOT more money as a consultant), the most frequent question I hear...
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PASS Business Analytics Conference discount code
I have previously blogged that I am presenting at the PASS Business Analytics Conference. If you are looking to learn more about business intelligence and data warehousing, there is no better...
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Power BI for Office 365 pricing announced
Pricing for Power BI for Office 365 has been announced (see pricing). It’s all very confusing to me but Melissa Coates does a great job explaining it (see Initial Pricing for Power BI Has Been...
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