Microsoft Boot Camp 2010: Business Intelligence Summary

I was given the opportunity to be the speaker for the Business Intelligence (BI) presentation at the Microsoft Boot Camp 2010 which occurred on February 25th 2010. Just like in Microsoft Boot Camp 2009, the number of attendees was larger than I expected but presenting for the event was still fun and exciting.

I began the presentation with some information about myself and my employer Teleios Systems and then proceeded with an introduction to SQL Server 2008. This was then followed by a brief discussion about 'What is Business Intelligence' and a video of A.C. Milan: Milan Lab. The discussion highlighted where SQL Server 2008 lives in Microsoft's BI world and introduced the SQL Server BI stack: Integration Services (SSIS), Analysis Services (SSAS) and Reporting Services (SSRS). I briefly described each product (SSIS, SSRS and SSAS) and also highlighted SQL Server 2008 Data Warehousing enhancements before performing a SSIS demonstration. With the upcoming release of SQL Server 2008 R2, I decided to explained 'Managed Self Service BI' and ended the presentation with a PowerPivot demonstration using SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP and Excel 2010. Due to some time constraints I was unable to highlight some of the local BI work done by Reeza Ali, a Solutions Architect with Microsoft Consulting Services West Indies. He has recently published a series of videos on Designing and Planning a BI Project in the internationally recognized and very popular Architect journal.

The feedback that I received from a few people at the end of the event were very positive. They found the presentations very informative and were impressed with the products that was shown in the sessions.

For more information about Microsoft Business Intelligence please visit www.microsoft.com/BI.