Gartner Positions Microsoft as a Leader in BI and Analytics Platforms

The title says it all! Note that the evaluation was done in July-August 2015. Some of the missing points Gartner points out in the report have been implemented already, such as custom visuals So by now the bubble should have moved up toward the ability to execute J

Beyond Power BI, I found the following Gartner’s strategic observations interesting:

  • By 2018, data discovery and data management evolution will drive most organizations to augment centralized analytic architectures with decentralized approaches.
  • By 2017, 75% of IT organizations will have a bimodal capability; half will not handle this well, by either remaining over-controlling or completely ignoring the risks of more agile approaches.
  • By 2017, highly featured and easy-to-use freemium and low-license-cost business intelligence (BI) offerings will accelerate user adoption deep into the enterprise beyond traditional BI users.

Want to learn Power BI? We’re still accepting students for the online class starting Monday.

Class

Type

Mentor

#Date

Price

 

Applied Power BI

Online

Teo Lachev2/8-2/9 12:00-4:00 ET

$699

Register

 

Prologika Power BI Showcase

Microsoft launched a Power BI Partner Showcase section to help you “find the right solution for your organization” from certified partners like Prologika. I’m excited to announce the first Prologika Power BI Showcase! It’s based on the work we did for an insurance company. This solution transformed the organization’s data into a key strategic business asset, empowering employees like never before. It currently includes over 300 performance measures that can be analyzed across various dimensions, enabling business to collaborate and share insights with rich data storytelling. The solution delivers a “single version of truth” approach for reporting, and empowers business users to build customized reports and analyses using various tools.

“We are extremely excited for the actionable intelligence and foresight this new tool will bring to our organization”
Director Supply Chain Analytics

Visit the solution page to learn more about how we did it, watch a short video, and even try the interactive reports! Have questions? Contact me to today to find how Power BI can change your business!

Improve your Power BI skills – Five days left to register!

Call/email us if you have any questions about the class. Registration closes on January 31st.

Join Teo Lachev as he presents his online Applied Power BI class. Power BI is a Microsoft cloud-hosted BI platform that opens BI to everyone without reliance on IT. And most of it is free! This class is designed for business users and data analysts. You’ll learn:

  • What is Power BI and why it’ll disrupt the way you analyze your business.
  • How to get instant insights from cloud services, such as Google Analytics, Dynamics CRM Online, Salesforce, and many others.
  • How to create sophisticated self-service data models whose features are on a par with models built by BI pros.
  • How to clean and shape dirty data.
  • How to create insightful interactive reports and dashboards.
  • How to share BI content with other users and view it on mobile devices.

No travel, no hotel expenses, just 100% content delivered right to your desktop! Our intensive online classes teach you the skills to master Microsoft BI to its fullest. Use the opportunity to ask questions and learn best practices. 

Applied Power BI Training in February

 

teo1

NEW! Applied Power BI Online Training Class
Date: February 8 – February 9, 2016
Time: Noon – 4:00 pm EDT; 9 am – 1:00 pm PDT
Delivery: Online presentation with access to recorded content

8 hours for only $699
For more information or to register click here!

APPLIED MICROSOFT SQL SERVER 2012 ANALYSIS SERVICES
 (TABULAR MODELING)

book2Learn how to implement rapid solutions for personal, team, and organizational BI.

  • Publication date: 3/1/2012
  • Size: 416 pages, 7″ x 9 1/4″
  • Price: $49.95
  • ISBN 10: 0-9766353-5-6
  • ISBN 13: 978-0-9766353-5-2

Introduces the Tabular side of the innovative Business Intelligence Semantic Model (BISM) that promotes rapid professional and self-service BI application development.

Business analysts and power users will learn how to integrate data from multiple data sources, implement self-service BI applications with Excel, and deploy them to SharePoint. Business intelligence professionals and database administrators will discover how to build corporate solutions powered by BISM Tabular, delivering supreme performance with large data volumes, and how to implement a wide range of solutions for the entire spectrum of personal-team-organizational BI needs.


Synopsis

An insightful tour that provides an authoritative yet independent view of this exciting technology, this guide introduces the Tabular side of the innovative Business Intelligence Semantic Model (BISM) that promotes rapid professional and self-service BI application development. Business analysts and power users will learn how to integrate data from multiple data sources, implement self-service BI applications with Excel, and deploy them to SharePoint. Business intelligence professionals and database administrators will discover how to build corporate solutions powered by BISM Tabular, delivering supreme performance with large data volumes, and how to implement a wide range of solutions for the entire spectrum of personal-team-organizational BI needs.

Ideal for experienced BI professionals or beginners, this book features step-by-step instructions and demos for building reports and dashboards, deploying and managing tabular models, and integrating data from various sources. The online video tutorials include over 3 hours of recorded content that demonstrates selected book exercises.


What’s inside

  • Implement personal BI models with PowerPivot for Excel
  • Share PowerPivot models and gain insights with PowerPivot for SharePoint
  • Implement scalable and secure organizational models with Analysis Services Tabular

Resources

Front matterSample chapter (Chapter 1)Errata
IndexSource codeOld Forum
Back coverVideo demos

Reviews

“This is a great book for getting up and running quickly with the new tabular data model available in SQL Server Analysis Services 2012. I was able to read this book fairly quickly, good for a busy IT Professional. The book covers PowerPivot, PowerView, and the various ways to create the new tabular projects. If you are looking for something that will cover all aspects of the new tabular abilities in SSAS 2012, I’d recommend this book without hesitation.”

Robert Cain
SQL Server MVP

“Many IT Professionals getting started with PowerPivot for Excel , PowerPivot for SharePoint or Analysis Services in Tabular mode will find this is the only book they need to launch their first successful Tabular project.”

Rob Kerr
SQL Server MVP

“I have had the chance to read Teo’s books over the years, and they happen to be insightful, detailed and more than anything, absolutely helpful. This one is no exception, and keeps the bar on tradition with the high quality you expect. Teo is one of those authors that I use to reference when after, one of my conferences, someone asks me for a good comprehensive book on Microsoft’s BI stack. Mix this one with Alberto and marco on DAX and you will be ready for some fun.”

Alejandro Leguizamo
SQL Server MVP

How to purchase

We don’t offer an e-book version of this book at this point.

 

 

MCTS SELF-PACED TRAINING KIT
 (EXAM 70-448)

book3Your 2-in-1 Self-Paced Training Kit features official exam prep and practice for the skills measured by Exam 70-448.

  • Published: 4/5/2009
  • Size: 688 pages, 7″ x 9 1/4″
  • Price: $69.99
  • ISBN 13: 9780735626362

features official exam prep and practice for the skills measured by Exam 70-448. Ace your preparation for the skills measured by MCTS Exam 70-448—and on the job.Work at your own pace through a series of lessons and reviews that fully cover each exam objective. Then, reinforce and apply what you’ve learned through real-world case scenarios and practice exercises. This official Microsoft study guide is designed to help you make the most of your study time. Assess your skills with the practice tests on CD. You can work through hundreds of questions using multiple testing modes to meet your specific learning needs.


Synopsis

Ace your preparation for the skills measured by MCTS Exam 70-448—and on the job. Work at your own pace through a series of lessons and reviews that fully cover each exam objective. Then, reinforce and apply what you’ve learned through real-world case scenarios and practice exercises. This official Microsoft study guide is designed to help you make the most of your study time.

Assess your skills with the practice tests on CD. You can work through hundreds of questions using multiple testing modes to meet your specific learning needs. You get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers—including a customized learning path that describes how and where to focus your studies.


What’s inside

  • Create SSIS packages; troubleshoot data flow and control flow
  • Configure, debug, and deploy SSIS solutions
  • Develop SSAS cubes for OLAP and data mining services
  • Implement custom logic with MDX
  • Optimize storage design and query performance
  • Create SSRS reports; enable interactivity; write custom code

How to purchase

 

APPLIED MICROSOFT SQL SERVER 2008 REPORTING SERVICES

book41

teaches you how to apply Reporting Services in real life to build innovative Business Intelligence solutions that drive decisions. The author, who has worked closely with the Reporting Services Development Team, takes you on an insightful tour that provides an authoritative yet independent view of the technology. The book is designed as an easy-to-follow guide for navigating safely the most intricate aspects of the technology.“…a great resource for those who are looking to get the most out of the Microsoft reporting platform.”

Brian Welcker
Former Group Program Manager
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Synopsis

Supplying much-needed technological information to workers, administrators, and developers, APPLIED MICROSOFT SQL SERVER 2008 REPORTING SERVICES shows you how to apply Reporting Services in real life to build innovative Business Intelligence solutions that drive decisions. Information workers will learn how to design feature-rich standard and ad hoc reports. The book gives administrators the necessary background to install, upgrade, and manage the report environment. It teaches developers ways to extend Reporting Services to bend it to their needs and integrate it with a wide range of applications.

The book doesn’t assume any prior experience with Microsoft Reporting Services. It is designed as an easy-to-follow guide for navigating safely the most intricate aspects of the technology. New concepts are introduced with step-by-step instructions and hands-on lessons. Video presentations help the reader stay on track when a picture is worth more than a thousand words.


What’s inside

  • Author professional standard and ad hoc reports
  • Install, upgrade, and manage the report environment
  • Integrate Reporting Services with custom application, Analysis Services, and SharePoint
  • Extend Reporting Services in versatile ways

Resources

Front matterSample chapters (1 and 3)Errata
IndexSource codeOld Forum
Back coverVideo demos

Reviews

“Applied Microsoft Reporting Services is a great resource for those who are looking to get the most out of the Microsoft reporting platform. Leveraging his lengthy experience with the product and close relationship with the development team at Microsoft, Teo provides an insider’s view of the product that goes beyond simple tutorials and screenshots. The book has a wealth of information about little known areas of the product and is loaded with practical examples that will save you time and frustration during your next reporting project.”

Brian Welcker
Former Group Program Manager
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

“…All in all, then, a very highly recommended book; it’s ideal for both beginners and experienced developers and probably the only Reporting Services 2008 book you’ll ever need.”

Chris Webb
Microsoft MVP and CEO of Crossjoin Consulting
View the full review here

“…Those who are familiar with Teo’s previous books will not be disappointed with his latest work – Applied Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services.”

Nick Barclay
Microsoft SQL MVP and BI Consultant
View the full review here

“Very well written and thorough… plus great examples. I think what I like best about Teo’s book is that he is such a great writer and knows how to organize content that makes sense and is structured in the right way.”

Erik Veerman
Microsoft SQL MVP and Solid Quality Mentor
View the full review here

How to purchase

 

MCTS SELF-PACED TRAINING KIT
 (EXAM 70-445)

book5Your 2-in-1 Self-Paced Training Kit features official exam prep and practice for the skills measured by Exam 70-445.

  • Published: 4/5/2009
  • Size: 688 pages, 7″ x 9 1/4″
  • Price: $69.99
  • ISBN 13: 9780735626362

features official exam prep and practice for the skills measured by Exam 70-445. Ace your preparation for the skills measured by MCTS Exam 70-445—and on the job.

Work at your own pace through a series of lessons and reviews that fully cover each exam objective. Then, reinforce and apply what you’ve learned through real-world case scenarios and practice exercises. This official Microsoft study guide is designed to help you make the most of your study time. Assess your skills with the practice tests on CD. You can work through hundreds of questions using multiple testing modes to meet your specific learning needs.


Synopsis

Ace your preparation for the skills measured by MCTS Exam 70-445—and on the job. Work at your own pace through a series of lessons and reviews that fully cover each exam objective. Then, reinforce and apply what you’ve learned through real-world case scenarios and practice exercises. This official Microsoft study guide is designed to help you make the most of your study time.

Assess your skills with the practice tests on CD. You can work through hundreds of questions using multiple testing modes to meet your specific learning needs. You get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers—including a customized learning path that describes how and where to focus your studies.


What’s inside

  • Create SSIS packages; troubleshoot data flow and control flow
  • Configure, debug, and deploy SSIS solutions
  • Develop SSAS cubes for OLAP and data mining services
  • Implement custom logic with MDX
  • Optimize storage design and query performance
  • Create SSRS reports; enable interactivity; write custom code

How to purchase

 

Applied Microsoft Analysis Services 2005

book4A guide to the leading OLAP Platform – Microsoft Analysis Services.

  • Published: 12/1/2005
  • Size: 712 pages, 7″ x 9 1/4″
  • Price: $49.95
  • ISBN: 0976635305

It teaches you how to build end-to-end OLAP solutions with Microsoft Analysis Services 2005 and Microsoft Business Intelligence Platform. This book doesn’t assume any prior experience with OLAP and Microsoft Analysis Services. It is designed as an easy-to-follow guide where each chapter builds upon the previous to implement the components of the innovative Unified Dimensional Model (UDM). New concepts are introduced with step-by-step instructions and hands-on labs.


Synopsis

APPLIED MICROSOFT ANALYSIS SERVICES 2005 shows database administrators and developers how to build end-to-end OLAP solutions with Microsoft Analysis Services 2005 and Microsoft Business Intelligence Platform. Database administrators will learn how to design and manage sophisticated OLAP cubes that provide rich data analytics and data mining services.

The book gives database developers the necessary background to extend UDM with custom programming logic, in the form of MDX expressions, scripts and .NET code. It teaches them how to implement a wide range of reporting applications that integrate with Analysis Services, Reporting Services, and Microsoft Office.

This book doesn’t assume any prior experience with OLAP and Microsoft Analysis Services. It is designed as an easy-to-follow guide where each chapter builds upon the previous to implement the components of the innovative Unified Dimensional Model (UDM). New concepts are introduced with step-by-step instructions and hands-on labs.


What’s inside

  • Design and build the UDM
  • Implement data warehousing and mining solutions
  • Extend UDM programmatically with MDX
  • Manage Analysis Services
  • Build reporting solutions

Inside the book

Front coverSample chapters (1 and 7)Source code
Table of contentsIndexErrata
PrefaceBack coverOld Forum

How to purchase

 

Microsoft Reporting Services in Action

book6

Bring Microsoft Reporting Services 2000 to the next level!

  • Published: 8/1/2004
  • Size: 656 pages, 7.4″ x 9 1/4″
  • Price: $49.95
  • ISBN: 1932394222

It is a detailed and practical guide to the functionality provided by Microsoft Reporting Services 2000. It systematically shows off many powerful RS features by leading you through a dizzying variety of possible uses. Following a typical report lifecycle, the book shows you how to create, manage, and deliver RS reports.“I encourage you to use the ideas in this book and take Reporting Services to the next level.”

Brian Welcker
Group Program Manager
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Synopsis

I have been cherishing the idea of writing a book on .NET since my initial encounter with .NET when I was involved in the .NET early adopter program. Towards the end of 2003, the planets were aligned in my favor and I was thinking seriously about how to materialize this idea. Initially, I was planning to write a book on WinForm development which would walk the reader through the implementation lifecycle of a distributed WinForm application.

Around that time, I got my hands on a beta 1 copy of Reporting Services and was immediately hooked. No matter what application you are implementing right now, chances are it manipulates data of some sort. The problem with data, though, is that you always have too much of it. For this reason, reporting is an integral part of every complete business application. Yet, report-enabling applications is often regarded as a tedious chore. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services changes all of this.

Reporting Services (RS) is a great piece of technology. With RS, report authors can create reports as easily as you would do it in Microsoft Access. But make no mistake. Reporting Services is a sophisticated server-based oriented platform and its feature set goes well beyond that of a desktop reporting tool. To use RS effectively, you need to have a solid grasp of how it works and how it can be integrated with different types of client applications. I hope this book makes this endeavor easier.

While I contemplated what the book scope will be, it dawned on me that I could bring the most value by following my heart and approaching Reporting Services from a developer’s point of view. I put myself in a position that many developers could relate to. Here I am as a developer, consultant, architect, who is tasked with adding reporting features to a given application. How would I do this?

To reflect this idea, my book takes a solution-oriented approach and more than half of it is devoted on integrating different types of applications with Reporting Services. While you are reading the book, you will find a common pattern. It starts by discussing the requirements and design goals of a given reporting scenario. Then, it discusses the implementation choices, and, finally, it explains how the solution is implemented.


What’s inside

  • Extend RS with custom code to add report forecasting
  • Expose reports as RSS feeds
  • Develop a WinForm-based Report Wizard
  • Write an ASP.NET web control for client and server-side report generation
  • Create reports off ADO.NET datasets
  • Deliver reports to Web Services
  • Customize RS security
  • Evaluate RS performance and capacity
  • and much more…

Inside the book

Table of contentsChapters (1 and 6)Errata
ForewordIndexBook reviews
PrefaceSource codeOld Forum

 


 

How to purchase

 

 

Atlanta MS BI Group Meeting on January 25th

Atlanta MS BI fans,

Join us for our first 2016 Atlanta MS BI and Power BI Group meeting on Monday, January 25th. Our sponsor, Panorama, will present Panorama Necto. And Patrick LeBlanc from Microsoft will present “Power BI for You” and show you how Power BI will disrupt the way you analyze data. Don’t forget to register at atlantabi.sqlpass.org.

Presentation:

Power BI for You

  

Level: Intermediate

Date:

Monday, January 25th, 2016

Time

6:30 – 8:30 PM ET

Place:

South Terraces Building (Auditorium Room)

115 Perimeter Center Place

Atlanta, GA 30346

Overview:

Most of us are overwhelmed with data from all the different applications that we use on a daily basis. Bringing all the data together is often a very time-consuming and sometimes a challenging process. Even further, attempting to analyze and visualize the data poses new challenges that is sometime difficult or impossible to overcome. Now with Power BI this can all be made very simple. Individuals, ranging from novice information workers to advanced IT professionals can quickly and easily transform, analyze and visualize data using a single solution, Power BI. In this session I will demonstrate how to Shape Data, Build a Data Model, Visualize Data and share the results of your work using the Power BI Service.

Speaker:

Patrick LeBlanc is a currently a Data Platform Solutions Architect with Microsoft. Along with his 15+ years’ experience in IT he holds a Master’s of Science degree from Louisiana State University. He is the author and co-author of five SQL Server books. Prior to joining Microsoft he was awarded Microsoft MVP award for his contributions to the community. Patrick is a regular speaker at many SQL Server Conferences and Community events..

Sponsor:

Panorama Necto is a worldwide leader in next generation self-service smart data discovery. It leverages a suggestive discovery engine that simplifies the business users’ data preparation while automating pattern exploration and analysis. Panorama Necto is powered by a unified and governed visualization and unique collaboration platform.