Delivering Business Intelligence with Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Brian Larson

McGraw-Hill/Osborne

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ISBN 0-07-226090-4

Acquisitions Editor
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This book is dedicated to my parents. To my father, Robert, who, even after 40-plus years as a junior high mathematics teacher and computer instructor, has a love of teaching. He has shown me a real commitment to sharing knowledge with others. To my mother Beverly, who was my first editor, coaching me through elementary school papaers on this state or that president. She taught me the value of stricking with a job and seeing it through to the end. I owe them both a debt of love, caring and support that can never be adequately repaid.

About the Author

Brian Larson is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with degrees in Physics and Computer Science. He has 20 years of experience in the computer industry and 16 years of experience as a consultant creating custom database applications. Brian is currently the Chief of Technology for Superior Consulting Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a Microsoft Consulting Partner for Reporting Services. He is a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) and a Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA).

Brian served as a member of the Reporting Services development team as a consultant to Microsoft. In that role, he contributed to the original code base of Reporting Services.

Brian has presented seminars and provided training and mentoring on Reporting Services across the country. He is a contributor and columnist for SQL Server magazine and is currently writing the B.I. Powers column appearing on the SQL Server magazine website. In addition to this book, Brian is the author of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services, also from McGraw-Hill/Osborne.

Brian and his wife Pam have been married for 20 years. Pam will tell you that their first date took place at the campus computer center. If that doesn't qualify someone to write a computer book, then 1 don't know what does. Brian and Pam have two children, Jessica and Corey.

About the Technical Editor

Cheryl Stepney has been on the leading edge of technology for over 30 years. Working for AT&T, she was on the team to promote UNIX into the commercial world.

Cheryl was one of the first users in the nation of both Focus and Informix. She joined Oracle Corporation in 1985 and held various positions to bring Relational Databases to the marketplace. After the growth of Oracle, Cheryl joined another startup firm—Macromedia—bringing multimedia and interactivity to applications and the Internet. She was CEO of Empowerment Associates for over eight years, designing and architecting some of the first and largest data warehouses in the world—decision support redefined. Cheryl joined Microsoft in 2000 to evangelize SQL Server 2000 in the North Central area of the country, growing the marketplace for Business Intelligence in her near six-year tenure.

Acknowledgments

No project of this size is the work of a single person. I need to thank a number of people for their assistance, professionalism, dedication, and support. So, a gianormous thank you …

To Wendi Rinaldi, who allowed me to lean on her as part editor, part coach, part literary agent, and part psychoanalyst. Her professionalism, humor, understanding, and faith truly made this project possible.

To Alex McDonald, who kept me on track and organized through two simultaneous book projects.

To Cheryl Stepney, who encouraged exploration of Microsoft tools, imparted her wisdom on Business Intelligence, and insured it all made sense.

To Patty Mon, who saw it through to the end and made sure there really was a book when all was said and done.

To Marcia Baker, who would be a rich woman if she were paid a nickel for every unnecessary "that" and "of" she removed from my text.

To John Miller, who founded Superior Consulting Services as a place where people can grow and learn, produce solid technology solutions, serve customers, and have a good time to boot.

To Jessica and Corey, my children, who allowed me time to pursue this passion.

To my wife, Pam, who continues to be gracious in her understanding of my affliction with the writing bug. She has given generously of her time to proof and review this book, and its Learn By Doing exercises. Her incredible attention to detail has made this a better product.

Last, but certainly not least, to you, the reader, who plunked down your hard-earned cash for this purchase. I hope you view this as a helpful and informative guide to all of the truly exciting Business Intelligence features in SQL Server 2005.

All the best,
Brian Larson
[e-mail]