Microsoft SQL Server is a well known and widely used database. Its most powerful features for Business Intelligence include:

• a relational database engine
• an OLAP engine: Analysis Services, including its multi-dimensional query language MDX (Multi Dimensional eXpression)
• Integration Services (formerly DTS, data transformation services), a graphical programming environment used to automate the load of data from source systems
• and, last but not least, Microsoft SQL SQL Server Reporting Services

All of these components are available with every SQL Server license.

Analysis Services

According to the OLAP Report (www.olapreport.com), Microsoft is a clear leader in the OLAP market.

Analysis Services is a very strong and powerful tool, which is by no means limited to its OLAP functionality. It is more a dimensional modeling tool, enabling very effective definition of business rules, security and other items required in a reporting solution.

CIS is confident that Analysis Services can meet your requirements. It has evolved to a very scalable, enterprise-ready tool.

With the 2005 version, Microsoft has started its concept of Unified Dimensional Model (UDM). With the UDM, Microsoft wants to implement an open standard, XMLA, which should allow every OLAP browser to connect to any data source. Of course there is a long way to go, but we have seen first results in Microsoft Reporting services providing eg connectivity to SAP BW. Also it is very easy to use Analysis Services as a data source, and most BI tools vendors provide or will provide connectivity to Analysis Services. It is already the case with Cognos and Business Objects.