Learning Anaysis Services

Question

Can anyone recommend a good resource -- book, website, article, etc -- to help me learn SQL Server Analysis services.

I have no knowledge of this technology right now but I do constantly work with SQL server in the traditional sense.

I want to learn about Cubes and Using Reporting Services with it. I want to start from the bottom but after I finish with the material, ideally, I'd be able to stumble through a real development project...

I'm hoping to get started with a free resource but if anyone knows of a really good book, I'd take that too.

Or, if you don't know of a resource how did you get started with the technology?

Thank you,
Frank

Answer 1

Here's a link to Analysis Services Books online. It's a decent resource, and completely free.

Answer 2

Pretty outstanding book:

Professional SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 with MDX

Gives you a good overview of the architecture of SSAS, as well as the query language MDX, and administrative/maintenance overview. A good primer for a developer OR a system administrator.

Answer 3

http://www.databasejournal.com/ Has great intro to advanced articles that helped me out a few years ago.

Answer 4

My personal favorite book on the topic is Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services

Mosha Pasumansky's blog is a great resource once you start learning more about the technology and MDX

http://sqlblog.com/blogs/mosha/default.aspx

Answer 5

Take a look Here for a list of AS resources I compiled in answer to a similar question.