April 2010 v.36 – Business Intelligence Update

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HOT TOPICS
President Obama Appoints Edward Tufte – Big Victory for Data Visualization And Transparent Government
Obama’s Data Visionary

Why Predictive Analytics Is A Game-Changer

SQL Server 2008 R2 gets an official date
Microsoft ships the final Technology Preview for SQL 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse
Overview: Parallel Data Warehouse
New Data Visualizations in SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 R2

Tableau Public – How it Works Blog: Tableau Public - A Powerful New Tool for Democratizing Data

Kerberos SPN Generation Setup Tool – RobertLambrecht.com

WEBCASTS
All webcast times are in Eastern Time Zone unless otherwise specified

System Center Service Manager 2010: The CMDB, Connectors, and Data Warehouse
Hosted by Microsoft
Apr 2, 2pm
Click here for more info

Unleash the Power of PowerPivot
Hosted by Panorama
Apr 20, 10am
Click here for more info

Insight Through Microsoft Business Intelligence Solutions
Hosted by ComFrame
Apr 22, 10am
Click here for more info

Visualizing Success – Visualization with SharePoint PerformancePoint Services
Hosted by Mariner
Apr 29, 8:30am
Click here for more info

EVENTS

Executive Business Intelligence Roundtable
Hosted by ComFrame
Apr 13, Jackson, MS
Click here for more info

Business Insight Lunch and Learn
Hosted by MPS Partners and Microsoft
Apr 20, Granger, IN
Click here for more info

Convergence 2010
Hosted by Microsoft
Apr 24-27, Atlanta, GA
Click here for more info

SQL Saturday #39 NYC
Hosted by NJ SQL Server User Group in NYC
Apr 24, New York, NY
Click here for more info

Microsoft Business Intelligence
Hosted by Quilogy
May 4, Naperville IL
Click here for more info

TechFuse 2010
Hosted by Benchmark Learning
May 6, Bloomington, MN
Click here for more info

Microsoft Business Intelligence Conference
Hosted by Microsoft
Jun 7-10, New Orleans, LA
Click here for more info

TRAINING

Web-based Training
SQL Server: Training Portal
SharePoint 2007: Training Portal
SharePoint 2010: Getting Started with SharePoint 2010
PerformancePoint Monitoring and Analytics: Dashboard basics I,  Dashboard basics II
Up to Speed with PerformancePoint Dashboards and Web Parts
Excel 2007: Training Courses

Instructor Led Training
SQL Server and Business Intelligence Training
Pragmatic Works
April Courses, Online
Click here for more info

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Training
Intertech
Apr 7-9, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services
Accelebrate
Apr 12-14, Online
Click here for more info

Solving Business Problems with MDX in SQL Server 2008
Solid Quality Mentors
Jun 15-17, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

RESOURCES

Microsoft BI
2010 Betas are here, including Office, SharePoint, Project, Visio

SQL Server Business Intelligence: SQL 2005, SQL 2008
SSAS: SQL Sentry, Performance Optimization Software
SSAS: list of front end applications
Data Mining: SQL 2005, SQL 2008
StreamInsight: Versions and SQL Server SKUs, Developers Training Kit
SQL Server 2008 R2 gets an official date

Download: SQL Server 2008 R2 November CTP
Hands On Lab: PowerPivot in SQL Server 2008 R2
SQL 2008 R2: Home, Parallel Data Warehouse
Whitepaper: Best Practices for Data Warehousing with SQL Server 2008

SQL 2008 Books Online: Planning and Architecture (Analysis Services – Data Mining)
SQL 2008 Books Online: Architecture of Integration Services
Whitepaper: Top 10 Performance and Productivity Reasons to Use SQL Server 2008 for Your Business Intelligence Solutions
Blog: SQL Server 2008 for Oracle DBA

SharePoint Server 2007
Business Intelligence: Overview, Using BI Features
PerformancePoint: Technical Library
Download: PerformancePoint SP2 (64-bit or 32-bit) Blog: Using Excel Services Reports with PerformancePoint Server (PPS)
Online Book: SharePoint guidance for SQL Server database administrators

SharePoint Server 2010
Describing SharePoint 2010 in 1 Sentence, 8 Categories and 40 Feature Areas
New Features in PerformancePoint Services 2010

Excel Services in SharePoint 2010 Feature Support, Dashboard Improvements, Upgrading PerformancePoint Server 2007 to PerformancePoint 2010
Planning for Upgrade from SharePoint Portal Server 2003 to SharePoint Server 2010
Blog: What is Time Intelligence?

Office 2010
www.PowerPivot.com
PowerPivot Team Blog
The Great PowerPivot FAQ

Download: PowerPivot for Excel 2010
Blog: The Business User’s Perspective
Blog: How PowerPivot and SSAS could work together
Blog: Diagnostic Guide for Usage and the PowerPivot Management Dashboard
Screencast: Using datamining with PowerPivot in Excel

Microsoft BI Certifications
Blog: New 2008 Microsoft BI Certifications Reviewed
Blog: Obtaining Microsoft BI Certification
Learning Plan: BI Developer
Exam: 70-448
Exam: 70-452

Related BI Resources
Notes from the Field

Article: Microsoft PowerPivot vs. Tableau
Blog: Using a Data Warehouse for CRM
Blog: Thoughts on: Who are the BI Personas?

Strategy Companion’s Analyzer Named 2009 EDITOR’S BEST Award by SQL Server Magazine

NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES

A High Level Comparison Between Oracle and SQL Server
SharePoint 2010 Steps Up to the ECM Plate
SharePoint 2010: A More Viable Cloud Option
SharePoint 2010: An Evolutionary Step Toward Content-Centric Middleware

Launching an Analytics Practice: Ten Steps to Success
Zen BI: The Wisdom of Letting Go
It Takes a Village to Drive Predictive Analytics

Blog: PowerPivot/Excel/SharePoint and SSRS – should they merge?
Blog: Comparing Analysis Services and PowerPivot
Blog: Great Visualizers: Mike Deal Charts the Beatles
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March 2010 v.35 – Business Intelligence Update

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HOT TOPICS

Special Report, The Economist
Data, data everywhere
A different game… Information is transforming traditional business
Show me… new ways of visualising data
The data deluge

Up to Speed with PerformancePoint Dashboards and Web Parts
SharePoint guidance for SQL Server database administrators

WEBCASTS
All webcast times are in Eastern Time Zone unless otherwise specified

How Microsoft IT Developed Best Practices in Offering PowerPivot as a Service
Hosted by Microsoft
Mar 16, 12:30pm
Click here for more info

Week of Business Intelligence – webinar series
Hosted by Pragmatic Works
Mar 22-26
Click here for more info

SharePoint 2007 vs.. 2010
Hosted by Gig Werks
Mar 24, 1pm
Click here for more info

EVENTS

Using SharePoint 2010 as a Business Intelligence Breakthrough Tool
Hosted by Quilogy
Mar 2, Naperville, IL
Click here for more info

North Central District Microsoft BI User Group
Hosted by BISIG
Mar 3, Bloomington, MN
Click here for more info

SoCal BI User Group
Hosted by Xelleration
Mar 4, San Diego, CA
Click here for more info

Boise SQL Server User Group
Hosted by Microsoft
Mar 9, Boise, ID
Email me for more info

Microsoft Business Intelligence Conference
Hosted by Microsoft
Jun 7-10, New Orleans, LA
Click here for more info

TRAINING

Web-based Training

SQL Server: Training Portal
SharePoint 2007: Training Portal
SharePoint 2010: Getting Started with SharePoint 2010
PerformancePoint Monitoring and Analytics: Dashboard basics I,  Dashboard basics II
Excel 2007: Training Courses

Instructor Led Training

Solving Business Problems with MDX in SQL Server 2008
Solid Quality Mentors
Click here for more info

Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services
Accelebrate
Mar 29-31, Online
Click here for more info

SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Training
Intertech
Mar 15-17, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Training
Intertech
Mar 29-30, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services
Accelebrate
Apr 12-14, Online
Click here for more info

RESOURCES

Microsoft BI
2010 Betas are here, including Office, SharePoint, Project & Visio

SQL Server
Business Intelligence: SQL 2005, SQL 2008
SSAS: SQL Sentry, Performance Optimization Software
SSAS: list of front end applications
Data Mining: SQL 2005, SQL 2008
StreamInsight: Versions and SQL Server SKUs

SQL Server 2008 R2 gets an official date
Download: SQL Server 2008 R2 November CTP
Hands On Lab: PowerPivot in SQL Server 2008 R2
SQL 2008 R2: Home, Parallel Data Warehouse
Whitepaper: Best Practices for Data Warehousing with SQL Server 2008

SQL 2008 Books Online: Planning and Architecture (Analysis Services – Data Mining)
SQL 2008 Books Online: Architecture of Integration Services

Whitepaper: Top 10 Performance and Productivity Reasons to Use SQL Server 2008 for Your Business Intelligence Solutions
Blog: SQL Server 2008 for Oracle DBA

SharePoint Server 2007
Business Intelligence: Overview, Using BI Features

PerformancePoint: Technical Library
Download: PerformancePoint SP2 (64-bit or 32-bit)
Blog: Using Excel Services Reports with PerformancePoint Server (PPS)

SharePoint Server 2010
Describing SharePoint 2010 in 1 Sentence, 8 Categories and 40 Feature Areas
New Features in PerformancePoint Services 2010

Excel Services in SharePoint 2010 Feature Support, Dashboard Improvements,
Upgrading PerformancePoint Server 2007 to PerformancePoint 2010
Planning for Upgrade from SharePoint Portal Server 2003 to SharePoint Server 2010

Office 2010
www.PowerPivot.com
PowerPivot Team Blog
New BI Features in Excel 2010
The Great PowerPivot FAQ
Download: PowerPivot for Excel 2010
Blog: The Business User’s Perspective
Screencast: Using datamining with PowerPivot in Excel

Microsoft BI Certifications
Blog: New 2008 Microsoft BI Certifications Reviewed
Learning Plan: BI Developer
Exam: 70-448
Exam: 70-452

Related BI Resources
Notes from the Field
Gartner: Magic Quadrant for Data Warehouse Database Management Systems
Blog: Using a Data Warehouse for CRM

Tableau 5.1 Release
Tableau Positioned as Challenger on Gartner 2010 Magic Quadrant Report for Business Intelligence Platforms
What’s New in Tableau 5.1

Demo: Extended Outlook – Put your business intelligence reporting inside Microsoft Outlook
Demo: PushBI Mobile for the Apple iPhone

NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES

Microsoft positioned in Leaders Quadrant of the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Warehouse Database Management Systems

Launching an Analytics Practice: Ten Steps to Success
Zen BI: The Wisdom of Letting Go

Blog: Great Visualizers: Mike Deal Charts the Beatles
TED2010: Spatial Search – Bing, Flickr, Videos Maps and the Stars

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February 2010 v.34 – Business Intelligence Update

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HOT TOPICS

Microsoft positioned in Leaders Quadrant of the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Warehouse Database Management Systems

New BI Features in Excel 2010
The Great PowerPivot FAQ
QlikView from a PowerPivot standpoint

SQL Server 2008 R2 gets an official date
Download: SQL Server 2008 R2 November CTP
Hands On Lab: PowerPivot in SQL Server 2008 R2

Developing a Culture of Performance with Microsoft BI

 

WEBCASTS
All webcast times are in Eastern Time Zone unless otherwise specified

Obtain Customer Loyalty with Tracking, Marketing, and Communication Hosted by Neudesic
Feb 4, 1pm
Click here for more info

Business Intelligence using SharePoint 2010 & PowerPivot
Hosted by ShareSquared
Feb 9, 2pm
Click here for more info

Microsoft Consolidated Business Intelligence: Delivering BI to Microsoft
Hosted by Microsoft
Feb 23, 12:30pm
Click here for more info

From Strategy to Students: Realizing the Vision
Hosted by Mariner
Feb 23, 11am
Click here for more info

Total Cost of Database Administration: A Comparison of SQL Server and Oracle
Hosted by Microsoft
Feb 26, 12pm
Click here for more info

How Microsoft IT Developed Best Practices in Offering PowerPivot as a Service
Hosted by Microsoft
Mar 16, 12:30pm
Click here for more info

EVENTS

SoCal BI User Group
Hosted by Xelleration & iQ4bis
Feb 4, Irvine, CA
Click here for more info

Pervasive, Self-Service BI: For The People, By The People
Hosted by Tallan
Feb 4, Farmington, CT
Click here for more info

Business Performance Management
Hosted by GNET Group
Feb 10, St Paul, MN
Click here for more info

Driving Innovation and Growth with Microsoft SharePoint
Hosted by Microsoft
Feb 16, Bellevue, WA
Click here for more info

Using SharePoint 2010 as a Business Intelligence Breakthrough Tool
Hosted by Quilogy
Feb 17, Omaha, NE
Click here for more info

Using SharePoint 2010 as a Business Intelligence Breakthrough Tool
Hosted by Quilogy
Feb 18, Overland Park, KS
Click here for more info

Driving Innovation and Growth with Microsoft SharePoint
Hosted by Microsoft
Feb 18, San Francisco, CA
Click here for more info

Driving Innovation and Growth with Microsoft SharePoint
Hosted by Microsoft
Feb 23, Irvine, CA
Click here for more info

Driving Innovation and Growth with Microsoft SharePoint
Hosted by Microsoft
Feb 25, Phoenix, AZ
Click here for more info

Using SharePoint 2010 as a Business Intelligence Breakthrough Tool
Hosted by Quilogy
Mar 2, Naperville, IL
Click here for more info

TRAINING

Web-based Training
SQL Server: Training Portal
SharePoint Server 2007: Training Portal
PerformancePoint Monitoring and Analytics: Dashboard basics I,  Dashboard basics II
Excel 2007: Training Courses

Instructor Led Training
SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (SSRS) Training
Intertech
Feb 8, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services
Accelebrate
Feb 8, Online
Click here for more info

SQL Server 2005 Integration Services (SSIS) Training
Intertech
Feb 10, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

Microsoft Business Intelligence from SQL 2008 through SharePoint and Office 2007
Accelebrate
Feb 22, Online
Click here for more info

Implementing and Maintaining SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services (SSRS)
Intertech
Feb 22, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

Solving Business Problems with MDX in SQL Server 2008
Solid Quality Mentors
Mar 9, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services
Accelebrate
Mar 8, Online
Click here for more info

SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Training
Intertech
Mar 15, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

RESOURCES

Microsoft BI
2010 Betas are here, including Office, SharePoint, Project & Visio

SQL Server
Business Intelligence: SQL 2005, SQL 2008
SSAS: SQL Sentry, Performance Optimization Software
SSAS: list of front end applications
Data Mining: SQL 2005, SQL 2008

SQL 2008 Books Online: Planning and Architecture (Analysis Services – Data Mining)
SQL 2008 Books Online: Architecture of Integration Services

Whitepaper: Best Practices for Data Warehousing with SQL Server 2008
Whitepaper: Top 10 Performance and Productivity Reasons to Use SQL Server 2008 for Your Business Intelligence Solutions

SharePoint Server 2007
Business Intelligence: Overview, Using BI Features

PerformancePoint: Technical Library
Download: PerformancePoint SP2 (64-bit or 32-bit)

SharePoint Server 2010 
Describing SharePoint 2010 in 1 Sentence, 8 Categories and 40 Feature Areas 
New Features in PerformancePoint Services 2010 
Excel Services in SharePoint 2010 Feature Support, Dashboard Improvements 
Upgrading PerformancePoint Server 2007 to PerformancePoint 2010 
Planning for Upgrade from SharePoint Portal Server 2003 to SharePoint Server 2010

Office 2010
www.PowerPivot.com
PowerPivot Team Blog
PowerPivot Demos
PowerPivot introduction videos – load, analyse and use in SharePoint
Download: PowerPivot for Excel 2010
Blog: The Business User’s Perspective
Demo: PowerPivot Mashup by Mr Excel

Microsoft BI Certifications Blog:
New 2008 Microsoft BI Certifications Reviewed
Learning Plan: BI Developer
Exam: 70-448
Exam: 70-452

Related BI Resources
Notes from the Field

Tableau Positioned as Challenger on Gartner 2010 Magic Quadrant Report for Business Intelligence Platforms

Demo: Extended Outlook – Put your business intelligence reporting inside Microsoft Outlook Demo: PushBI Mobile for the Apple iPhone

 

NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES

Message from Tom Casey, General Manager, Microsoft Business Intelligence

Principle of Proximity: THE Best Practice in BI
The Next Wave in BI: Decision Analytics
Top 20 Data Visualizations Mentioned on Twitter
The Next Wave in BI: Decision Analysis
Assessing the Effectiveness of a New Dashboard’s Design
My 10 favourite business intelligence blog posts of 2009
Self-Service Business Intelligence: Dissolving the Barriers to Creative Decision-Support Solutions

Click here to Unsubscribe from this Monthly BI Update

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Developing a Culture of Performance with Microsoft BI

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If you expect to be in the loop regarding Microsoft's BI strategy, then it's imperative you follow the work of my friend and former colleague on the Microsoft BI team, Bruno Aziza. 

Bruno approaches BI with a business-minded perspective (as opposed to a purely technical perspective) with a keen focus on the real purpose of BI implementation...to drive performance and cultivate success.  In fact, he co-authored a book on the topic (see below) as part of the Microsoft Executive Learning Series.

I recommend joining the LinkedIn Group that Bruno moderates, The Culture of Performance... and if you tweet, you'll find him there too.


Notable upcoming events in January include:

Developing a Culture of Performance in Retail
Held at the National Retail Federation (NRF) 99th Annual Convention
Hosted by Bruno Aziza and Henrik Amsinck, CIO of Lego Group
Jan 12, 1:45-3:30pm
Click here for more info

Building a Culture of Performance | Analytical Paradox & User Centricity
Webcast Series moderated by Bruno Aziza and Extended Results
Hosted by Bob O'Brien, Sr Director Business Analytics Media & Entertainment Group
Jan 20, 2pm EST
Click here to register




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January 2010 v.33 – Business Intelligence Update

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HOT TOPICS

2010 Betas are here, including Office, SharePoint, Project & Visio

Zero to Cube in 60 Minutes
Hosted by PASS DW/BI Virtual Chapter
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Jan 12, 12 pm EST
Click here to Attend

Microsoft Case Studies: Microsoft BI vs IBM Cognos Building Great Cubes: Tip 1 Tableau Blog: US Oil Imports in 2008

WEBCASTS
All webcast times are in Eastern Time Zone unless otherwise specified

Business Intelligence IT Dashboard Webinar
Hosted by MicroLink,LLC Jan 5, 2pm
Click here for more info

Enhance your SharePoint BI Portal Hosted by Strategy Companion Jan 7, 1pm
Click here for more info

SharePoint, BI, & Silverlight Hosted by Neudesic Jan 13, 1pm
Click here for more info

Actionable Insights at Your Fingertips: Rules of KPIs Part I: Few/Recyclable Hosted by Extended Results, with guest speaker Bruno Aziza Jan 20, 4:30pm
Click here for more info

SaaS and BI Hosted by Strategy Companion Jan 21, 1pm
Click here for more info

Emerge Stronger with Microsoft BI: Sales and Marketing Hosted by Microsoft Jan 26, 2 pm
Click here for more info

EVENTS

Driving Innovation and Growth with Microsoft SharePoint Hosted by Microsoft Feb 16, Bellevue, WA
Click here for more info

Driving Innovation and Growth with Microsoft SharePoint Hosted by Microsoft Feb 18, San Francisco, CA
Click here for more info

Driving Innovation and Growth with Microsoft SharePoint Hosted by Microsoft Feb 23, Irvine, CA
Click here for more info

Driving Innovation and Growth with Microsoft SharePoint Hosted by Microsoft Feb 25, Phoenix, AZ
Click here for more info

TRAINING

In-Person Training Deploying, Operating, and Tuning an Analysis Services 2008 Solution Solid Quality Mentors Feb 1, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

SQL Server 2008 End-to-End Business Intelligence Workshop Solid Quality Mentors Feb 15, Minneapolis, MN
Click here for more info

RESOURCES

Microsoft BI

SQL Server Business Intelligence: SQL 2005, SQL 2008
SSAS: SQL Sentry, Performance Optimization Software
SSAS: list of front end applications
Data Mining: SQL 2005, SQL 2008
SQL 2008 Books Online: Planning and Architecture (Analysis Services – Data Mining)
SQL 2008 Books Online: Architecture of Integration Services
Whitepaper: Best Practices for Data Warehousing with SQL Server 2008
Whitepaper: Top 10 Performance and Productivity Reasons to Use SQL Server 2008 for Your Business Intelligence Solutions

SharePoint Server 2007 Business Intelligence: Overview, Using BI Features
PerformancePoint: Technical Library
Download: PerformancePoint SP2 (64-bit or 32-bit)

SharePoint Server 2010 Blog: Describing SharePoint 2010 in 1 Sentence, 8 Categories and 40 Feature Areas
Blog: New Features in PerformancePoint Services 2010
Blog: Excel Services in SharePoint 2010 Feature Support, Dashboard Improvements
Blog: Upgrading PerformancePoint Server 2007 to PerformancePoint 2010
Blog: Planning for Upgrade from SharePoint Portal Server 2003 to SharePoint Server 2010

Office 2010 www.PowerPivot.com
PowerPivot Team Blog PowerPivot Demos
Download: PowerPivot for Excel 2010
Blog: The Business User’s Perspective
Demo: PowerPivot Mashup by Mr Excel

Microsoft BI Certifications Blog: New 2008 Microsoft BI Certifications Reviewed
Learning Plan: BI Developer
Exam: 70-448
Exam: 70-452

Related BI Resources Notes from the Field
Demo: Extended Outlook – Put your business intelligence reporting inside Microsoft Outlook
Demo: PushBI Mobile for the Apple iPhone

NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES

Intelligent Enterprise Top Stories of 2009 Eleven BI/Analytics Topics for 2010

Swimming in Data? Three Benefits of Visualization Data visualization can lead to greater business insights Analytics at Work: Q&A with Tom Davenport Survey: BI Still Hindered By Technical Problems

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