Here are some notes with a buch of links to topics discussed in our June 3rd, 2008 meeting.

I have put the Word document on my SkyDrive http://cid-89384f23767a9a97.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Public?uc=1 .

Register at http://ssig200806.eventbrite.com/

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a powerful and flexible data integration tool included with SQL Server 2005 Standard and above. As with most powerful and flexible tools, it is easy to hurt yourself with until you know a few tips and tricks coupled with a good toolkit. In this presentation you will learn some tips and tricks for making your SSIS projects go more smoothly, scale better, document themselves (almost), and learn a few time and butt saving tools to help you out.

Agenda

6:00 – 6:30 Pizza and Networking
6:00 – 6:45 Announcements
6:45 – 8:15 Paul S. Waters - SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) Tools, Tips and Tricks
8:15 – 8:30 Closing remarks and give-a-ways

Our last few presentations have been more focused on Business Intelligence then the SQL Server DBA .  Well that streak is about to end.   For our April 1st meeting Ram Garipalli from TiBA Solutions will be teaching us how to use database partitioning and Dynamic Management Views .

 Agenda

6:00 – 6:30 Pizza and Networking

6:00 – 6:45 Announcements

6:45 – 8:15 Ram Garipalli - Data partitioning and Dynamic Management Views

8:15 – 8:30 Closing remarks and give-a-ways

Here is what the VPC has installed and ready to use:

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Service Pack 2
• Internet Explorer 7
• Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007
• Microsoft Office Visio 2007
• Microsoft Office Project 2007
• Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007
• Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server 2007
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 w/ Service Pack 1
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 w/ Service Pack 2 (w/ SSIS, SSAS, SSRS)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Data Mining Add-ins
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SharePoint Integration Add-in
• ProClarity Analytics Server 6.3
• ProClarity Dashboard Server 6.3
• ProClarity Desktop Professional 6.3
• ProClarity Web Professional 6.3
• Microsoft PerformancePoint Planning Server 2007
• Microsoft PerformancePoint Monitoring Server 2007
• Microsoft PerformancePoint Dashboard Designer
• Microsoft PerformancePoint Planning Add-In for Excel
• Microsoft PerformancePoint Planning Business Modeler
• Project REAL Reference Implementation
• SoftArtisans OfficeWriter 3.8.1 and Designer
• BI Demo Files
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Samples
• Microsoft SQL Server BI Metadata Samples
• Performance Point Planning Samples/Labs
• Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office Second Edition

There are two parts to the VPC and here are the links.

Agenda
6:00 - 6:30 - Food, Soda and Networking sponsored by ICap
6:30 - 6:45 - Announcements
6:45 - 8:20 - Presentation
        Jason Burton - Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Report Builder
8:20 - 8:30 - Give-a-ways

Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Report Builder: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Report Builder is a useful but often over-looked tool in the SQL Server 2005 platform.  A new addition with 2005 Reporting Services, Report Builder enables end-users to create and publish their own ad-hoc reports without the need to know SQL or understand the backend data model.  As a .NET Winforms “Clickonce” application, Report Builder can easily be deployed to your users with a simple click from within Reporting Services.  However, it’s not all paradise.  There are some interesting quirks and limitations to this 1.0 product that can challenge even the best SQL Server guru.  We’ll discuss the history, uses, best practices, and tips to the latest addition to the Microsoft SQL Server family.
 
About Jason:  Jason is currently a Business Intelligence Architect at Ameco, a subsidiary of Fluor.  He has been working in IT for over 11 years developing both internal and external web, e-commerce, and data warehouse applications.  He’s a “sql ninja” that has been hacking out T-SQL since SQL Server 6.0.  He has presented at the SC Code Camp and the SQL Server Innovators Guild.

A Dimensional Data Model is at the core of most Business Intelligence and Data Analysis systems.  Designing dimensions around subject areas such as customers, products, locations, and employees as they change over time can be the most challenging part of a well-designed Dimensional Model.

After an overview of Dimensional Modeling, the presentation will cover the fundamentals of type 1, 2 and 3 Slowly Changing Dimensions (SCD), how and when to use them, and how to combine them.

Register at: http://ssig.eventbrite.com/?s=875539

I could not get a speaker for September so I am canceling the meeting. In our 3 maybe 4 years this is the second time we have had to do this. If anyone has a topic they would like to present or knows someone who does please let me know. It does not need to be a long presentation 20 minute presentations are great too.
If I, or you, cannot get a speaker for October I propose the following topic themes. These topics require 1 - 3 people to volunteer to present. We do not have to pick from one theme they can be mixed up if the presentations are all 20 - 30 minutes. 

New features in SQL Server 2008
Free SQL Server tools. These can be open or closed source. The important thing is if people think they can benefit from the tool they can start right away and do not need to get authorization to purchase.
SQL Server Tips and Tricks
This is a good opportunity to improve your presentations skills and/or overcome a fear of speaking in front of a group. This is a very important skill and getting more so has our profession natures.

I just listened to this PodCast that, among other things, discusses the importance of "soft" skills.

http://www.itconversations.com/shows/detail1869.html

Al just sent me this link that ties in with my closing remarks on Dimensional Modeling and acquiring other Business Intelligence skills.

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0%2C1895%2C2177955%2C00.asp

Thank you,

Paul