21 Oct 2013
By Allen
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PASS Summit 2013 – A First-timer’s Experience

PASS Summit 2013 – A First-timer’s Experience

Microsoft SQL Server, ,
  First let me say I came to Summit with a few plans, but no set expectations.  After SQLkaraoke with Jason Horner in KC,MO, I learned to just show up to see what happens. I really came to learn from people who are better at their craft than I and catch up with friends I’ve made through SQL Saturdays. There were only about four sessions on my must-see list.  My plans did include visits to the Microsoft Certification and testing area.   Overall, I enjoyed the few sessions I attended, really loved the SQLfamily, learned from Itzik Ben Gan, met Dave…
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14 Oct 2013
By Allen
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Customized SSRS reporting template.

Customized SSRS reporting template.

SSRS,
Large reporting projects can be simplified with a good template as a starting point.   Design templates can store the company header with logo, company color palette, font preference and layout. These are lessons learned while developing a reporting library for GE Oil & Gas, a company with very specific rules for their corporate image.  We created one template for Portrait reports, one for Landscape and one for charts  shown above (with corporate colors).   GE even has their own company font.  As a multi-national corporation, they normally need different logos displayed depending on the country where the report is rendered.   That…
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10 May 2013
By Allen
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Business Intelligence Forecasting in SQL and Cognos

Business Intelligence Forecasting in SQL and Cognos

Cognos, SSAS, , , , ,
Note: This article is an update of a presentation given when I was at the University of Oklahoma's Health Sciences Center. At that time, I was using Cognos version 7.3. This article is updated for Cognos 10 and SQL Server Analysis Server 2012.  Revisiting this subject ten years later, my opinion is that Microsoft has finally surpassed IBM Cognos. Most businesses, including medical clinics, want some method for forecasting business trends. The Cognos BI powerplay presentation tools contain the tools needed for basic forecasting.  The trick in getting accurate forecasting is select the correct algorithm. I recommend trying the model…
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04 Dec 2012
By Allen
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What’s New in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) 2012

SQL Server, SSRS, , ,
Everybody has been bloggin about the new features in SQL 2012, so I thought it would be best to just look at one part of the offering.  SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) has not gotten a much love but there are a few good improvements.  The list is so short, I covered it in one slide while presenting at SQL Saturday #125 in Oklahoma City.  Let's look at each area a little more. SSRS Data Alerts This is definitely a good improvement from the user perspective.   It allows users (OK, they may need help) to set up subscriptions based on…
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19 Jun 2012
By Allen
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Practice Exams: Transcender vs. SelfTest vs. MeasureUp

Practice Exams: Transcender vs. SelfTest vs. MeasureUp

Microsoft SQL Server,
Since I have been working on my certifications, I have bought several practice exam software packages. To expand my options, I bought a copy of the 70-448 practice exam from SelfTest last fall and have gotten pretty used to the questions. Since I'm still needing to work on the SSAS portions of the exam I decided to buy the same practice exam from Transcender. As I started the exam I noticed the questions were very familiar. Finally I realized they were exactly the same. Word for word. Question for Question. Answer for Answer. According to the license I can't reveal…
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09 Apr 2012
By Allen
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SQL 2012 Study Materials

SQL Server, , , ,
This started as my personal list of study materials, but it bears sharing.  I got started studying as I studied for the new SQL 2012 Beta Exams.  You might still get a slot to try out the exams for free over at the Born to Learn blog  Once you choose an exam, follow their link to see the specifics about the exam.  Be sure to click on the 'Skills Measured' tab.  That will show what percent of the test covers different areas. Be sure to take a look at the planned certification paths for SQL 2012.  The paths have changed…
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09 Dec 2011
By Allen
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SSRS Data Driven Subscription Troubleshooting

SSRS, , , , , ,
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) 2008 R2 will only allow data driven subscriptions under certain conditions, including data source security and server configuration options.   SSRS Subscriptions always work great and easy in the demos and training classes.  The following is the list of requirements to actually get them to work with in a data driven environment. You must have SSRS configured to run with an 'Execution Account' Data Sources must not have your Data Sources folder hidden with the option 'Hide in tile view'.  If you check that box, you will be unable to select a data for…
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02 Aug 2011
By Allen
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SSRS Adding “Image Not Available” as Alternate Image

SSRS Adding “Image Not Available” as Alternate Image

Microsoft SQL Server, SSRS, , , ,
I just had a requirement to build a report which had images stored in the database. SSRS handles that fine by just setting the image object to 'database' and then selecting the field. The challenge was adding an alternate image or text when there was no image stored in the database. SSRS makes it difficult because there is no method to dynamically change the image type on the image container itself, such as changing from 'database' to 'external' image on a web server. OPTIONS: Store the 'Not Available' image in the table and write a query which pulled only that…
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