Microsoft Business Intelligence For Dummies

The book that beats the buzzwords! At last, understand BI and what it can do for your business
Buzzwords, begone! This book looks beyond the jargon at real business problems and common–sense solutions. Data is the lifeblood of your business. Microsoft BI tools help you collect that data; sort, store, and analyze it; find it when you need it; and use it to make decisions. You′ll understand terms like "OLAP cube" and "data mart" — at last!
It′s all about the right tools — learn which BI technologies can solve specific issues for your business
Realistic expectations — get a clear understanding of what you expect to achieve with BI
Meet the parts — see how the SQL Server technologies, presentation technologies, and development/customization technologies work together
The right edge — support decision–making by using BI to get the right data to the right person at the right time
Storing this stuff — understand how data warehouses and data marts make it easier to manage and retrieve data
The tool on your desktop — discover how to use Excel® for data analysis and data mining
Making it work — create a logical plan for BI implementation, know what you need and what you don′t, and get stakeholders on board
Open the book and find:
BI tools that are already hiding in your software
How to manage the data life cycle
Tips for evaluating and choosing technologies
What you can do with Dashboards and Scorecards
Nearly a dozen data mining algorithms
Ways to display and analyze data
Advice on testing and rolling out your BI strategy
Keys to making BI successful
Learn to:
Apply the latest Microsoft technologies and use them together
Create an effective strategy to solve business problems
Work with the SQL Server product suite
Use the new SharePoint Business Intelligence tools

Spis treści:
Introduction.
Part I: Embracing a Microsoft Business Intelligence Solution.
Chapter 1: Surveying Microsoft Business Intelligence from 50,000 Feet.
Chapter 2: Blazing a Trail through the Data Jungle.
Chapter 3: Adopting Microsoft Business Intelligence.
Part II: Wrapping Your Head Around Business Intelligence Concepts.
Chapter 4: Using Data to Inform and Drive Business Activities.
Chapter 5: Taking a Closer Look at Data Collection.
Chapter 6: Turning Data into Information.
Chapter 7: Data Mining for Information Gold.
Part III: Introducing the Microsoft Business Intelligence Technologies.
Chapter 8: Meeting SQL Server.
Chapter 9: Excel — Digital Data Power to the People.
Chapter 10: SharePoint Shines.
Chapter 11: Expressing Yourself with Development Tools.
Part IV: Incorporating Microsoft Business Intelligence into Your Business Environment.
Chapter 12: Setting Your BI Goals and Implementation Plan.
Chapter 13: Evaluating and Choosing Technologies.
Chapter 14: Testing and Rolling Out.
Chapter 15: Training, Using, and Evaluating Results.
Part V: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 16: Ten Microsoft BI Implementation Pitfalls.
Chapter 17: Ten Keys to Successful Microsoft Business Intelligence.
Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Boost Your Bottom Line with Microsoft Business Intelligence.
Glossary.
Index.

Nota biograficzna:
Ken Withee is a Microsoft SharePoint and Business Intelligence consultant and a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist. He is certified in SharePoint, SQL Server, and .NET. Among his many published works are a book on SSRS 2008 and a featured article on Self–Serve Business Intelligence in The Architecture Journal.

Okładka tylna:
The book that beats the buzzwords! At last, understa nd BI and what it can do for your business
Buzzwords, begone! This book looks beyond the jargon at real business problems and common–sense solutions. Data is the lifeblood of your business. Microsoft BI tools help you collect that data; sort, store, and analyze it; find it when you need it; and use it to make decisions. You′ll understand terms like "OLAP cube" and "data mart" — at last!
It′s all about the right tools — learn which BI technologies can solve specific issues for your business
Realistic expectations — get a clear understanding of what you expect to achieve with BI
Meet the parts — see how the SQL Server technologies, presentation technologies, and development/customization technologies work together
The right edge — support decision–making by using BI to get the right data to the right person at the right time
Storing this stuff — understand how data warehouses and data marts make it easier to manage and retrieve data
The tool on your desktop — discover how to use Excel® for data analysis and data mining
Making it work — create a logical plan for BI implementation, know what you need and what you don′t, and get stakeholders on board
Open the book and find:
BI tools that are already hiding in your software
How to manage the data life cycle
Tips for evaluating and choosing technologies
What you can do with Dashboards and Scorecards
Nearly a dozen data mining algorithms
Ways to display and analyze data
Advice on testing and rolling out your BI strategy
Keys to making BI successful
Learn to:
Apply the latest Microsoft technologies and use them together
Create an effective strategy to solve business problems
Work with the SQL Server product suite
Use the new SharePoint Business Intelligence tools< /ul>