Overview
SQL Server Analysis Services was introduced as a part of the Microsoft Business Intelligence stack starting with SQL Server 2005. The first major version update to SSAS came with SQL Server 2008 / 2008 R2. The major features and enhancements in SSAS from 2008 R2 through 2016 are listed below.
Explanation
SQL Server Analysis Services 2008 R2
- SSAS Integration with SharePoint – PowerPivot for SharePoint and Excel with DAX support
- Aggregation Design improvements in Aggregation Design and Usage-based Optimization Wizards
- Dimension Design improvements in Dimension as well as Attribute-Relationship Designer
- Storage related performance improvements
SQL Server Analysis Services 2012
- Multi-dimensional, Tabular and SharePoint server mode as well as xVelocity In-Memory Analytics Engine (Vertipaq) introduced
- Tabular Model development in SQL Server Data Tools
- Improvements in resource monitoring and event tracking for Multidimensional as well as Tabular server modes
- Enhancements and/or improvements in DAX, AMO, PowerShell, XMLA and CSDL
SQL Server Analysis Services 2014
SQL Server Analysis Services 2016
- Azure Analysis Services Preview announced
- Tabular Modeling enhancements for SSAS Tabular Models like Translations and Calculates Tables
- New DAX functions
- Improved Tabular Instance Management, DBCC for SSAS, etc
- Scripting enhancements for PowerShell, Tabular Model Scripting Language and AMO
- DirectQuery performance improvements in Tabular SSAS
Additional Information
- We will be looking at some fundamental and important features for developing, deploying and browsing a SSAS data model in Multidimensional and Tabular server modes.
- Consider reading more about tools and applications used in SSAS from here.
Siddharth has more than 14 years of experience in the IT Industry, with more than a decade of experience in Business Intelligence and Analytics, for clients banking, logistics, government, Media Entertainment, products, life sciences and other domains. He has been a lead architect for a portfolio of 40+ apps, containing apps in web, mobile, BI, Analytics, data warehousing, reporting, collaboration, CMS, NoSQL and other technologies. He has several certifications and is a published author for online and print-media publications, as well as the MSDN Library.
In his present role, he remains responsible for architecture design, technology stack selection, infrastructure design, 3rd party products evaluation and procurement, and performance engineering. These applications use technologies like Elasticsearch / Lucene, MongoDB, SharePoint 2013 and 2010, jQuery-based framework like Highcharts and GoJS, SQL Server and the Microsoft Business Intelligence stack (SSIS, SSAS, SSRS, MDX, PowerPivot, PowerView), jQueryMobile, Bootstrap, iOS xCode framework, and many others.
- MSSQLTips Awards: Champion (100+ tips) – 2018 | Author of the Year – 2017 | Author Contender – 2016, 2018-2019