SSAS - Where do you start using it?

Question

Hi Folks,

I'm in the middle of designing a SSAS db. I get the theory and the use of this stuff. Here's the thing, I've got a logging database that logs interesting order statuses which I would like to measure time to complete. I've got these tables (not implemented), to measure status times

time_dimension

user_dimension

status_dimension

status_fact - dimension references and timeInStatus measure

So my question is, do I create regular database and stage these things up for an SSIS task to pull into a SSAS db, or do I just create an SSAS db and describe the regular db with SSAS?

Naturally I'm new at this, but this type of analysis has been an interest of mine for a looong time! Your help is appreciated.

Answer 1

If your source DB (the logging one) is really nicely normalized around the data you need, you can probably get away without the stage.

Performance may suffer, development may suffer, etc.. I think a DW (stage) db is almost a necessity to fully leverage SSAS though...