This presentation is basic introduction to the MSBI tool called SSAS. It covers introduction to tool, OLAP, Different features of the tool to create a multidimensional cube etc. This is first presentation of the Online Training material that I conduct and provide best possible introduction to SSAS technology.

1. SSAS (SQL Server Analysis
Services)
Session 1: Introduction

2. SSAS by definition
 SSAS is MSBI (Microsoft Business Intelligence) tool
for Online Analytical Processing and data mining
functionality.
 This tool is used to create projects which delivers end
product as multidimensional databases called Cube.
 For OLAP: it help in creating and designing
multidimensional databases that holds aggregated
data from different sources.
 For Data Mining: it help in design, visualize and
create data mining models with data from different
sources and based on various algorithms

3. OLAP
 OLAP enables users to analyze multidimensional
data (called facts) interactively (by browsing or
querying) from multiple perspective (called
dimensions)
 OLAP analytical operations include:
 Consolidation or roll up: aggregation of data that is
accumulated and computed in one or more
dimension
 Drill-down: allows users to navigate through details
 Slicing and Dicing: Slicing small sets on data and
dicing (viewing) sliced data from different
perspectives

4. Position of the SSAS in MS BI

5. SSAS BIDS Project
 Business Intelligence Development Studio is Visual
Studio interface to create SSAS project and Cubes in it.
 Different folders in SSAS Project solution:
 Data Sources make connection from different
data sources for analysis using OLAP Cube
 Data Source Views, abstracts underlying
database schema which can be augmented
 Cubes are different OLAP databases with
aggregated data, created on top of DSVs
 Dimensions are different perspectives for Cubes
 Mining Structure are different model for querying
and doing predictive analysis
 Roles are different security groups with different
priorities
 Assemblies are DLL which can be referenced for
accessing different objects in it.

6. Tabs in SSAS Cube Designer
Tab Name Purpose
Cube Structure Used to edit the basic structure of a cube.
Dimension Defines the relationship between the dimensions and measure
Usage groups within a cube.
Calculations Contains MDX formulas and scripts to define calculated members
and named sets.
KPIs Defines key performance indicators within the cube, including
formulas for KPI status and trends.
Actions Used to create actions, such as running reports or launching URLs,
that will be available to end users as they browse the cube.
Partitions Defines the storage structures used for each measure group within
a cube.
Aggregations Used to create custom aggregation designs.
Perspectives Used to create subsets of the cube content for easier end-user
browsing.
Translations Defines language translations for a cube’s metadata, such as
measure names and dimension names.

7. Properties explorer
 Provide properties for all the element in the cube
designer and these properties can be leveraged
for different requirement
Deployment and Processing
 Cube designer design the cube but we need to host the
Cube is some Analysis Server and fill all the aggregated
data in it for further analysis.
 Build cube by BIDS
 Deployment Cube (deploy cube structure) from BIDS on
analysis server
 Process Cube using BIDS for adding aggregated data in
the Cube

8. Thank You 
 Thanks and please add your queries and doubts
here in my blog:
 http://bistuffwithdigven.wordpress.com/