Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2005/2008 news, announcements, publications

Jun 16,2009 - MS released Cumulative update package 4 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:28:22 +0000

On June 16, 2009 Microsoft released cumulative update package 4 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3.

Note This build of the cumulative update package is also known as build 9.00.4226.

List of fixes related to SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 SP3:

SQL Bug Number	KB Article Number	Description
303461	968900	FIX: Measures, measure groups, and dimensions that are not part of a perspective are exposed incorrectly when you create a grouping on the perspective in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services or in SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services
297422	969844	FIX: A server that is running SQL Server 2005 build 9.00.3159 or a later version, or SQL Server 2008 crashes if you run an MDX query
307742	970551	FIX: Error message when you run an MDX query that requests a dimension property on a parent-child hierarchy in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services
310902	970966	FIX: An MDX query that uses the NON EMPTY clause and the DrillDownLevel function returns null values in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services

Please also see related Microsoft comulative update package 14 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2.

May 19, 2009 - MS Released CU2 package for SQL Server 2008 SP1

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:19:51 +0000

On May 19, 2009 Microsoft released cumulative update package 2 for SQL Server 2008 SP1.

Cumulative update package 2 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 contains hotfixes for the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 issues that have been fixed since the release of SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1.

Note This build of the cumulative update package is also known as build 10.00.2714.

List of fixes related to SQL Server Analysis Services 2008:

SQL Bug Number	KB Article Number	Description
304028	968290	FIX: A mining model of the Microsoft Decision Tree algorithm generates incorrect nodes when you set the MINIMUM_SUPPORT parameter to "9" in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services or in SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services
304734	968900	FIX: Measures, measure groups, and dimensions that are not part of a perspective are exposed incorrectly when you create a grouping on the perspective in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services or in SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services
303142	969235	FIX: Error message when you run an MDX query in SQL Server 2008 Analysis Service: "The Extract function was called with hierarchy '' that does not exist in the set
304044	969588	FIX: Some cell values are doubled when you run an MDX query against a database that has the AllowedSet permission set for a dimension in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services or in SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services
304133	970184	FIX: You receive a "File system error" error message that mentions a temporary file when you process a cube in SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services
306626	970461	FIX: An MDX query that contains the Aggregate function incorrectly returns a NULL value for a calculated measure in SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services

Note: Please also see related release on SQL Server 2008 CU5.

May 11,2009 - MS announced first information about SQL Server 2008 R2

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:51:30 +0000

May 11, 2009. Microsoft announced that the next version of its SQL Server database (current code name Kilimanjaro) will be called "SQL Server 2008 R2".

What's new in R2 (related to SSAS)

Build Robust Analytical Applications
With the in-memory analytics add-in for Microsoft Excel 2010, business users can quickly access, analyze and summarize vast amounts of data directly in Excel without the assistance of the IT department.

Consolidate Your Data
New “data mash up” capabilities will simplify time consuming data gathering and consolidation tasks. Integrate data from multiple sources, including corporate databases and external sources, using powerful tools within Microsoft Excel.

Share and Collaborate with Confidence
New collaboration tools make it easy to share analytic applications and reports through Microsoft Office SharePoint, where they are refreshed automatically, maintained, and made accessible to others.

R2 Benefits by Workload (related to SSAS)

Self Service Analysis with “Project Gemini”

Add-in for Microsoft Office Excel 2010

Build Robust Analytical Applications

Combines native Excel 2010 functionality with an in-memory, column oriented processing engine to allow users to interactively explore and perform calculations on millions of rows of data at lightening speeds
Streamlines the process of integrating data from multiple sources – including corporate databases, spreadsheets and external sources
Access PivotTables, slicers, and other familiar analysis features in Excel to create reports and perform advanced analysis

Add-in for Microsoft Office SharePoint 2010

Share & Collaborate with Confidence

Enables users to publish reports and analyses to SharePoint to make them available to others in the organization
Applications and reports can be refreshed automatically while also maintaining version control and tracking
Central, secure location where users can easily control who has access to sensitive data while also maximizing the number of people who can view the reports

SharePoint 2010 Management Console

Manage User-Generated Analytical Applications

Provides a single, comprehensive management tool through Microsoft Office SharePoint that gives IT administrators the ability to set server policies and monitor Self Service BI activities
IT can manage and secure all BI assets, freeing the original authors to focus on business priorities
Dashboard views to monitor access and utilization of analyses and reports as well as track patterns of hardware usage to help ensure the right security privileges are applied and user generated solutions are continuously available, up-to-date, and secured

Apr 21,2009 - MS released Cumulative update package 3 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:20:44 +0000

On April 21th, 2009 Microsoft released cumulative update package 3 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3.

Note This build of the cumulative update package is also known as build 9.00.4220.

List of fixes related to SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 SP3:

SQL Bug Number	KB Article Number	Description
277827	967348	FIX: Error message when you run a series of the CREATE SESSION CUBE statement and the DROP SESSION CUBE statement in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services: "An unexpected exception occurred"
284449	968290	FIX: A mining model of the Microsoft Decision Tree algorithm generates incorrect nodes when you set the MINIMUM_SUPPORT parameter to "9" in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services
290766	969123	FIX: Error message occurs unexpectedly at different times in a SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services database that uses user-defined functions: "The <Function Name> function does not exist"
296804	969588	FIX: Some cell values are doubled when you run an MDX query against a database that has the AllowedSet permission set for a dimension in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services

Please also see related Microsoft comulative update package 13 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2.

Apr 16,2009 - MS Released CU1 package for SQL Server 2008 SP1

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:54:08 +0000

On April 16, 2009 Microsoft released cumulative update package 1 for SQL Server 2008 SP1.

This package is only intended for customers who are going to be upgrading from SQL Server 2008 CU#4 to SP1. You will have to install this CU after upgrading to SP1 release to get all the fixes. SQL Server SP1 CU1 does not contain any additional fixes other than the ones already addressed with SQL Server 2008 CU#4 and is only intended as a post Service Pack upgrade rollup for SQL Server 2008 CU#4 customers only.

List of fixes related to SQL Server Analysis Services 2008:

SQL Bug Number	KB Article Number	Description
290866	961146	FIX: You cannot connect to an instance of SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services through HTTP when you configure Internet Explorer to use a .pac file
290871	961920	FIX: A syntax error occurs when you try to use the lift chart to validate a mining model that uses an Oracle data source in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services
290892	967148	FIX: An incorrect result is returned in SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services when you run multiple UPDATE CUBE statements in one transaction or update multiple measures in a single UPDATE CUBE statement in one transaction
290879	968152	FIX: Error message when you synchronize a database in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services: "Message: Errors in the metadata manager. An error occurred when loading the Analysis cube"
290882	968159	FIX: Error message when you run series of the CREATE SESSION CUBE statement and the DROP SESSION CUBE statement in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services: "An unexpected exception occurred"

April 9, 2009 - MS BI Conference that was scheduled for October 2009 will be moved to October 2010

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:20:10 +0000

April 9, 2009. Microsoft announced that due to global economic constraints to travel budgets worldwide, next BI Conference that was scheduled for October 2009 will be moved to October 2010 in Seattle, WA, and all further BI Conferences will be held every second year on an ongoing basis.

Apr 7, 2009 - MS Released SP1 for SQL Server 2008

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:56:49 +0000

Service Pack 1 for SQL Server 2008 is now available to customers. The Service pack is available via download at Download Center and is primarily a roll-up of Cumulative Updates 1 to 3 and minor fixes made in response to requests reported through the SQL Server community. While there are no new features in this service pack, customers running SQL Server 2008 should download and install SP1 to take advantage of the fixes which increase supportability and stability of SQL Server 2008.

With this service pack, Microsoft has made investments to ease deployment and make management of service packs more efficient. Key improvements in SP1 include Slipstream, Service Pack Uninstall and Report Builder 2.0 click-once deployment.

Slipstream allows administrators to install SQL Server 2008 and Service Pack 1 in a single instance. This decreases the total time for an installation, including a fewer number of reboots thereby increasing productivity and deployment availability.
Service Pack Uninstall allows administrators to uninstall the service pack separately from the database release. This feature also improves DBA productivity, reduces the cost of deployment and improves overall supportability
Report Builder 2.0 Click Once improves the existing SQL Server end-user report authoring application by easing deployment to business users

To download the SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1, please click here.

Also released at the same time:

SQL Server Reporting Services Add-in for SharePoint Technologies
The Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft SharePoint Technologies is a Web download that provides features for running a report server within a larger deployment of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 or Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack, April 2009
Download the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack, a collection of stand-alone install packages that provide additional value for SQL Server 2008.
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Advisor
Download the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Advisor. Upgrade Advisor analyzes instances of SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 to help you prepare for upgrades to SQL Server 2008.
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express Edition SP1
SQL Server 2008 Express is a free edition of SQL Server that is ideal for learning and building desktop and small server applications, and for redistribution by ISVs.
SQL Server Data Mining Add-ins for Office 2007
Download SQL Server 2008 Data Mining Add-ins for Office 2007. This package includes two add-ins for Microsoft Office Excel 2007 (Table Analysis Tools and Data Mining Client) and one add-in for Microsoft Office Visio 2007 (Data Mining Templates).
SQL Server 2008 Report Builder 2.0
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Report Builder 2.0 provides an intuitive report authoring environment for business and power users. It supports the full capabilities of SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services. The download provides a stand-alone installer for Report Builder 2.0

MS Released Cumulative update package 4 for SQL Server 2008

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:47:53 +0000

On March 17, 2009 Microsoft released cumulative update package 4 for SQL Server 2008.

List of fixes related to SQL Server Analysis Services 2008:

SQL Bug Number	KB Article Number	Description
271684	961146	FIX: You cannot connect to an instance of SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services through HTTP when you configure Internet Explorer to use a .pac file
271944	961920	FIX: A syntax error occurs when you try to use the lift chart to validate a mining model that uses an Oracle data source in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services
276814	967148	FIX: An incorrect result is returned in SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services when you run multiple UPDATE CUBE statements in one transaction or update multiple measures in a single UPDATE CUBE statement in one transaction
283078	968152	FIX: Error message when you synchronize a database in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services: "Message: Errors in the metadata manager. An error occurred when loading the Analysis cube"
283098	968159	FIX: Error message when you run series of the CREATE SESSION CUBE statement and the DROP SESSION CUBE statement in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services: "An unexpected exception occurred"

MS released SQL Server 2008 SP1 CTP

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:10:54 +0000

Feb 23, 2009. The CTP version of SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is now available. You can use these packages to upgrade any SQL Server 2008 edition.

MS released Cumulative update package 2 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3

Vidas.Matelis@ssas-info.com (Vidas Matelis) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:16:59 +0000

On February 17th, 2009 Microsoft released cumulative update package 2 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3.

Note This build of the cumulative update package is also known as build 9.00.4211.

List of fixes related to SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 SP3:

SQL Bug Number	KB Article Number	Description
266290	960971	FIX: Error message when you run some Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) queries that reference some calculated members in many connections at the same time in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services: "An unexpected error occurred"
266298	960977	FIX: Error message when you run a Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) query that contains a calculation in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services: "An unexpected exception occurred"
271683	961146	FIX: You cannot connect to an instance of SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services through HTTP when you configure Internet Explorer to use a .pac file
271942	961920	FIX: A syntax error occurs when you try to use the lift chart to validate a mining model that uses an Oracle data source in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services