Dimensional Modeling Fundamentals for the SQL Server Platform

Speaker: Warren Thornthwaite, The Kimball Group (http://www.kimballgroup.com/)

Warren, co-author of the Data Warehouse Lifecycle Toolkit, and the Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit, will discuss Dimensional Modeling Fundamentals.

A well designed dimensional model provides the best performing, most flexible, and most easily understood data architecture for the DW/BI system. The dimensional model underlies every successful Microsoft-based DW/BI project. This is true both for the relational platform, leveraging the Star Join optimization in SQL Server 2008 R2 database engine, and for Analysis Services which was fundamentally re-architected in 2005 to support true dimensional models.

Warren will give examples of each dimensional modeling concept, and of several dimensional models for different business functions and industries. We’ll also explore the primary differences between 3rd normal form models and dimensional models.

You'll learn:

The core concepts of dimensional modeling and why they are important for SQL Server DW/BI systems. How to track attribute changes over time with Type 2 change tracking, and why it is so critical to the business. We'll also work through a simple dimensional model exercise to illustrate many of the key concepts.

Warren Thornthwaite is co-author of the Data Warehouse Lifecycle Toolkit, and the Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit. He teaches Kimball University courses around the world, and is a regular presenter at SQL PASS, TDWI, and other industry conferences.