Chapter 1. Designing the Data Warehouse for Analysis Services

The focus of this chapter is how to design a data warehouse specifically for Analysis Services. There are numerous books available that explain the theory of dimensional modeling and data warehouses; our goal here is not to discuss generic data warehousing concepts but to help you adapt the theory to the needs of Analysis Services.

In this chapter we will touch on just about every aspect of data warehouse design, and mention several subjects that cannot be analyzed in depth in a single chapter. Some of these subjects, such as Analysis Services cube and dimension design, will be covered in full detail in later chapters. Others, which are outside the scope of this book, will require further research on the part of the reader.