The Definitive Guide to DAX


Book Description

This comprehensive and authoritative guide will teach you the DAX language for business intelligence, data modeling, and analytics. Leading Microsoft BI consultants Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari help you master everything from table functions through advanced code and model optimization. You’ll learn exactly what happens under the hood when you run a DAX expression, how DAX behaves differently from other languages, and how to use this knowledge to write fast, robust code. If you want to leverage all of DAX’s remarkable power and flexibility, this no-compromise “deep dive” is exactly what you need. Perform powerful data analysis with DAX for Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, Excel, and Power BI Master core DAX concepts, including calculated columns, measures, and error handling Understand evaluation contexts and the CALCULATE and CALCULATETABLE functions Perform time-based calculations: YTD, MTD, previous year, working days, and more Work with expanded tables, complex functions, and elaborate DAX expressions Perform calculations over hierarchies, including parent/child hierarchies Use DAX to express diverse and unusual relationships Measure DAX query performance with SQL Server Profiler and DAX Studio




Successful Business Intelligence: Secrets to Making BI a Killer App


Book Description

Praise for Successful Business Intelligence "If you want to be an analytical competitor, you've got to go well beyond business intelligence technology. Cindi Howson has wrapped up the needed advice on technology, organization, strategy, and even culture in a neat package. It's required reading for quantitatively oriented strategists and the technologists who support them." --Thomas H. Davenport, President's Distinguished Professor, Babson College and co-author, Competing on Analytics "When used strategically, business intelligence can help companies transform their organization to be more agile, more competitive, and more profitable. Successful Business Intelligence offers valuable guidance for companies looking to embark upon their first BI project as well as those hoping to maximize their current deployments." --John Schwarz, CEO, Business Objects "A thoughtful, clearly written, and carefully researched examination of all facets of business intelligence that your organization needs to know to run its business more intelligently and exploit information to its fullest extent." --Wayne Eckerson, Director, TDWI Research "Using real-world examples, Cindi Howson shows you how to use business intelligence to improve the performance, and the quality, of your company." --Bill Baker, Distinguished Engineer & GM, Business Intelligence Applications, Microsoft Corporation "This book outlines the key steps to make BI an integral part of your company's culture and demonstrates how your company can use BI as a competitive differentiator." --Robert VanHees, CFO, Corporate Express "Given the trend to expand the business analytics user base, organizations are faced with a number of challenges that affect the success rate of these projects. This insightful book provides practical advice on improving that success rate." --Dan Vesset, Vice President, Business Analytics Solution Research, IDC




Mastering Tableau 2019.1


Book Description

Build, design and improve advanced business intelligence solutions using Tableau’s latest features, including Tableau Prep, Tableau Hyper, and Tableau Server Key FeaturesMaster new features in Tableau 2019.1 to solve real-world analytics challengesPerform Geo-Spatial Analytics, Time Series Analysis, and self-service analytics using real-life examplesBuild and publish dashboards and explore storytelling using Python and MATLAB integration supportBook Description Tableau is one of the leading business intelligence (BI) tools used to solve BI and analytics challenges. With this book, you will master Tableau's features and offerings in various paradigms of the BI domain. This book is also the second edition of the popular Mastering Tableau series, with new features, examples, and updated code. The book covers essential Tableau concepts and its advanced functionalities. Using Tableau Hyper and Tableau Prep, you’ll be able to handle and prepare data easily. You’ll gear up to perform complex joins, spatial joins, union, and data blending tasks using practical examples. Following this, you’ll learn how to perform data densification to make displaying granular data easier. Next, you’ll explore expert-level examples to help you with advanced calculations, mapping, and visual design using various Tableau extensions. With the help of examples, you’ll also learn about improving dashboard performance, connecting Tableau Server, and understanding data visualizations. In the final chapters, you’ll cover advanced use cases such as Self-Service Analytics, Time Series Analytics, and Geo-Spatial Analytics, and learn to connect Tableau to R, Python, and MATLAB. By the end of this book, you’ll have mastered the advanced offerings of Tableau and be able to tackle common and not-so-common challenges faced in the BI domain. What you will learnGet up to speed with various Tableau componentsMaster data preparation techniques using Tableau PrepDiscover how to use Tableau to create a PowerPoint-like presentationUnderstand different Tableau visualization techniques and dashboard designsInteract with the Tableau server to understand its architecture and functionalitiesStudy advanced visualizations and dashboard creation techniquesBrush up on powerful Self-Service Analytics, Time Series Analytics, and Geo-Spatial AnalyticsWho this book is for This book is designed for business analysts, BI professionals and data analysts who want to master Tableau to solve a range of data science and business intelligence problems. The book is ideal if you have a good understanding of Tableau and want to take your skills to the next level.




Learn Power BI


Book Description

Solve business challenges with Microsoft Power BI's advanced visualization and data analysis techniques Key FeaturesCreate effective storytelling reports by implementing simple-to-intermediate Power BI featuresDevelop powerful analytical models to extract key insights for changing business needsBuild, publish, and share impressive dashboards for your organizationBook Description To succeed in today's transforming business world, organizations need business intelligence capabilities to make smarter decisions faster than ever before. This Power BI book is an entry-level guide that will get you up and running with data modeling, visualization, and analytical techniques from scratch. You'll find this book handy if you want to get well-versed with the extensive Power BI ecosystem. You'll start by covering the basics of business intelligence and installing Power BI. You'll then learn the wide range of Power BI features to unlock business insights. As you progress, the book will take you through how to use Power Query to ingest, cleanse, and shape your data, and use Power BI DAX to create simple to complex calculations. You'll also be able to add a variety of interactive visualizations to your reports to bring your data to life. Finally, you'll gain hands-on experience in creating visually stunning reports that speak to business decision makers, and see how you can securely share these reports and collaborate with others. By the end of this book, you'll be ready to create simple, yet effective, BI reports and dashboards using the latest features of Power BI. What you will learnExplore the different features of Power BI to create interactive dashboardsUse the Query Editor to import and transform dataPerform simple and complex DAX calculations to enhance analysisDiscover business insights and tell a story with your data using Power BIExplore data and learn to manage datasets, dataflows, and data gatewaysUse workspaces to collaborate with others and publish your reportsWho this book is for If you’re an IT manager, data analyst, or BI user new to using Power BI for solving business intelligence problems, this book is for you. You’ll also find this book useful if you want to migrate from other BI tools to create powerful and interactive dashboards. No experience of working with Power BI is expected.




Data Governance


Book Description

Managing data continues to grow as a necessity for modern organizations. There are seemingly infinite opportunities for organic growth, reduction of costs, and creation of new products and services. It has become apparent that none of these opportunities can happen smoothly without data governance. The cost of exponential data growth and privacy / security concerns are becoming burdensome. Organizations will encounter unexpected consequences in new sources of risk. The solution to these challenges is also data governance; ensuring balance between risk and opportunity. Data Governance, Second Edition, is for any executive, manager or data professional who needs to understand or implement a data governance program. It is required to ensure consistent, accurate and reliable data across their organization. This book offers an overview of why data governance is needed, how to design, initiate, and execute a program and how to keep the program sustainable. This valuable resource provides comprehensive guidance to beginning professionals, managers or analysts looking to improve their processes, and advanced students in Data Management and related courses. With the provided framework and case studies all professionals in the data governance field will gain key insights into launching successful and money-saving data governance program. - Incorporates industry changes, lessons learned and new approaches - Explores various ways in which data analysts and managers can ensure consistent, accurate and reliable data across their organizations - Includes new case studies which detail real-world situations - Explores all of the capabilities an organization must adopt to become data driven - Provides guidance on various approaches to data governance, to determine whether an organization should be low profile, central controlled, agile, or traditional - Provides guidance on using technology and separating vendor hype from sincere delivery of necessary capabilities - Offers readers insights into how their organizations can improve the value of their data, through data quality, data strategy and data literacy - Provides up to 75% brand-new content compared to the first edition




Microsoft Power BI Complete Reference


Book Description

Design, develop, and master efficient Power BI solutions for impactful business insights Key FeaturesGet to grips with the fundamentals of Microsoft Power BI Combine data from multiple sources, create visuals, and publish reports across platformsUnderstand Power BI concepts with real-world use casesBook Description Microsoft Power BI Complete Reference Guide gets you started with business intelligence by showing you how to install the Power BI toolset, design effective data models, and build basic dashboards and visualizations that make your data come to life. In this Learning Path, you will learn to create powerful interactive reports by visualizing your data and learn visualization styles, tips and tricks to bring your data to life. You will be able to administer your organization's Power BI environment to create and share dashboards. You will also be able to streamline deployment by implementing security and regular data refreshes. Next, you will delve deeper into the nuances of Power BI and handling projects. You will get acquainted with planning a Power BI project, development, and distribution of content, and deployment. You will learn to connect and extract data from various sources to create robust datasets, reports, and dashboards. Additionally, you will learn how to format reports and apply custom visuals, animation and analytics to further refine your data. By the end of this Learning Path, you will learn to implement the various Power BI tools such as on-premises gateway together along with staging and securely distributing content via apps. This Learning Path includes content from the following Packt products: Microsoft Power BI Quick Start Guide by Devin Knight et al. Mastering Microsoft Power BI by Brett PowellWhat you will learnConnect to data sources using both import and DirectQuery optionsLeverage built-in and custom visuals to design effective reportsAdminister a Power BI cloud tenant for your organizationDeploy your Power BI Desktop files into the Power BI Report ServerBuild efficient data retrieval and transformation processesWho this book is for Microsoft Power BI Complete Reference Guide is for those who want to learn and use the Power BI features to extract maximum information and make intelligent decisions that boost their business. If you have a basic understanding of BI concepts and want to learn how to apply them using Microsoft Power BI, then Learning Path is for you. It consists of real-world examples on Power BI and goes deep into the technical issues, covers additional protocols, and much more.




Business Intelligence Guidebook


Book Description

Between the high-level concepts of business intelligence and the nitty-gritty instructions for using vendors' tools lies the essential, yet poorly-understood layer of architecture, design and process. Without this knowledge, Big Data is belittled – projects flounder, are late and go over budget. Business Intelligence Guidebook: From Data Integration to Analytics shines a bright light on an often neglected topic, arming you with the knowledge you need to design rock-solid business intelligence and data integration processes. Practicing consultant and adjunct BI professor Rick Sherman takes the guesswork out of creating systems that are cost-effective, reusable and essential for transforming raw data into valuable information for business decision-makers. After reading this book, you will be able to design the overall architecture for functioning business intelligence systems with the supporting data warehousing and data-integration applications. You will have the information you need to get a project launched, developed, managed and delivered on time and on budget – turning the deluge of data into actionable information that fuels business knowledge. Finally, you'll give your career a boost by demonstrating an essential knowledge that puts corporate BI projects on a fast-track to success. - Provides practical guidelines for building successful BI, DW and data integration solutions. - Explains underlying BI, DW and data integration design, architecture and processes in clear, accessible language. - Includes the complete project development lifecycle that can be applied at large enterprises as well as at small to medium-sized businesses - Describes best practices and pragmatic approaches so readers can put them into action. - Companion website includes templates and examples, further discussion of key topics, instructor materials, and references to trusted industry sources.




Guide to Business Data Analytics


Book Description

The Guide to Business Data Analytics provides a foundational understanding of business data analytics concepts and includes how to develop a framework; key techniques and application; how to identify, communicate and integrate results; and more. This guide acts as a reference for the practice of business data analytics and is a companion resource for the Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA(R)- CBDA). Explore more information about the Certification in Business Data Analytics at IIBA.org/CBDA. About International Institute of Business Analysis International Institute of Business Analysis(TM) (IIBA(R)) is a professional association dedicated to supporting business analysis professionals deliver better business outcomes. IIBA connects almost 30,000 Members, over 100 Chapters, and more than 500 training, academic, and corporate partners around the world. As the global voice of the business analysis community, IIBA supports recognition of the profession, networking and community engagement, standards and resource development, and comprehensive certification programs. IIBA Publications IIBA publications offer a wide variety of knowledge and insights into the profession and practice of business analysis for the entire business community. Standards such as A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge(R) (BABOK(R) Guide), the Agile Extension to the BABOK(R) Guide, and the Global Business Analysis Core Standard represent the most commonly accepted practices of business analysis around the globe. IIBA's reports, research, whitepapers, and studies provide guidance and best practices information to address the practice of business analysis beyond the global standards and explore new and evolving areas of practice to deliver better business outcomes. Learn more at iiba.org.




Learning Alteryx


Book Description

Implement your Business Intelligence solutions without any coding - by leveraging the power of the Alteryx platform About This Book Experience the power of codeless analytics using Alteryx, a leading Business Intelligence tool Uncover hidden trends and valuable insights from your data across different sources and make accurate predictions Includes real-world examples to put your understanding of the features in Alteryx to practical use Who This Book Is For This book is for aspiring data professionals who want to learn and implement self-service analytics from scratch, without any coding. Those who have some experience with Alteryx and want to gain more proficiency will also find this book to be useful. A basic understanding of the data science concepts is all you need to get started with this book. What You Will Learn Create efficient workflows with Alteryx to answer complex business questions Learn how to speed up the cleansing, data preparing, and shaping process Blend and join data into a single dataset for self-service analysis Write advanced expressions in Alteryx leading to an optimal workflow for efficient processing of huge data Develop high-quality, data-driven reports to improve consistency in reporting and analysis Explore the flexibility of macros by automating analytic processes Apply predictive analytics from spatial, demographic, and behavioral analysis and quickly publish, schedule Share your workflows and insights with relevant stakeholders In Detail Alteryx, as a leading data blending and advanced data analytics platform, has taken self-service data analytics to the next level. Companies worldwide often find themselves struggling to prepare and blend massive datasets that are time-consuming for analysts. Alteryx solves these problems with a repeatable workflow designed to quickly clean, prepare, blend, and join your data in a seamless manner. This book will set you on a self-service data analytics journey that will help you create efficient workflows using Alteryx, without any coding involved. It will empower you and your organization to take well-informed decisions with the help of deeper business insights from the data.Starting with the fundamentals of using Alteryx such as data preparation and blending, you will delve into the more advanced concepts such as performing predictive analytics. You will also learn how to use Alteryx's features to share the insights gained with the relevant decision makers. To ensure consistency, we will be using data from the Healthcare domain throughout this book. The knowledge you gain from this book will guide you to solve real-life problems related to Business Intelligence confidently. Whether you are a novice with Alteryx or an experienced data analyst keen to explore Alteryx's self-service analytics features, this book will be the perfect companion for you. Style and approach Comprehensive, step by step guide filled with real-world examples to step through the complex business questions using one of the leading data analytics platform.




Mastering Tableau 2021


Book Description

Build, design, and improve advanced business intelligence solutions using Tableau's latest features, including Tableau Prep Builder, Tableau Hyper, and Tableau Server Key FeaturesMaster new features in Tableau 2021 to solve real-world analytics challengesPerform geo-spatial, time series, and self-service analytics using real-life examplesBuild and publish dashboards and explore storytelling using Python and R integration supportBook Description Tableau is one of the leading business intelligence (BI) tools that can help you solve data analysis challenges. With this book, you will master Tableau's features and offerings in various paradigms of the BI domain. Updated with fresh topics including Quick Level of Detail expressions, the newest Tableau Server features, Einstein Discovery, and more, this book covers essential Tableau concepts and advanced functionalities. Leveraging Tableau Hyper files and using Prep Builder, you'll be able to perform data preparation and handling easily. You'll gear up to perform complex joins, spatial joins, unions, and data blending tasks using practical examples. Next, you'll learn how to execute data densification and further explore expert-level examples to help you with calculations, mapping, and visual design using Tableau extensions. You'll also learn about improving dashboard performance, connecting to Tableau Server and understanding data visualization with examples. Finally, you'll cover advanced use cases such as self-service analysis, time series analysis, and geo-spatial analysis, and connect Tableau to Python and R to implement programming functionalities within it. By the end of this Tableau book, you'll have mastered the advanced offerings of Tableau 2021 and be able to tackle common and advanced challenges in the BI domain. What you will learnGet up to speed with various Tableau componentsMaster data preparation techniques using Tableau Prep BuilderDiscover how to use Tableau to create a PowerPoint-like presentationUnderstand different Tableau visualization techniques and dashboard designsInteract with the Tableau server to understand its architecture and functionalitiesStudy advanced visualizations and dashboard creation techniquesBrush up on powerful self-service analytics, time series analytics, and geo-spatial analyticsWho this book is for This book is designed for business analysts, business intelligence professionals and data analysts who want to master Tableau to solve a range of data science and business intelligence problems. The book is ideal if you have a good understanding of Tableau and want to take your skills to the next level.