So, our first stop is to get to know the database we will be creating a cube from and also understand how we connect to it through Analysis Services.
What is a Data Source ?
A Data Source is an object that allows a product such as SSAS/SSRS/SSIS to connect to a database system. The database can even been client based such as Microsoft Access or even Microsoft Excel, anyone how deals with databases may be familiar these terms, however there is a line in the sand that never really gets mentioned but most people know it's there. When does our ETL (Extract, Transform & Load) stop and Cubes start, this is more of an art form than an exacting science. I would however recommend that when dealing with Data Sources in SSAS you should already be at a point where your data is in a highly "denormalised" state.
This then bring us on to the terms "Normalised" versus "Denormalised", this is inherently the same as saying OLTP and OLAP. Now if these statements leaves you feeling confused or slightly scared, don't be. These are terminologies that need to be addressed and this video will tell you how!
So sit back with your first cup of coffee and watch an overview of the database and how we would initially connect to the system ready for cube magic.
