BI Performance, Tools Improved for SQL Server 2008

Architecture and tooling enhancements in SQL Server 2008, which shipped in Aug. 2008, could speed development and boost performance for SQL Server developers using the product’s Analysis Services and Integration Services for business intelligence and data integration. The new Analysis Services also gives administrators more options for backing up large databases. However, some product gaps persist and some features highlighted in product previews appear not to have made the final cut.

Tools for OLAP, Data Mining, ETL

Integration Services and Analysis Services provide development tools, run-time services, and management utilities that organizations use to extract, cleanse, summarize, and analyze business data. Together with Reporting Services, these features comprise the SQL Server business intelligence (BI) platform. BI is a catchall term for tools, technologies, and processes that summarize data collected in a company’s day-to-day operations to help workers make business decisions.