Friday, July 10, 2009

Pro SQL Server 2008 Analytics: Delivering Sales and Marketing Dashboards


ebook: Pro SQL Server 2008 Analytics: Delivering Sales and Marketing Dashboards



Publisher: ApressPublication: 2009, English ISBN: 9781430219286Pages: 300

Pro SQL Server 2008 Analytics provides everything you need to know to develop sophisticated and visually appealing sales and marketing dashboards using SQL Server 2008 and to integrate those dashboards with SharePoint, PerformancePoint, and other key Microsoft technologies.

The book begins by addressing the many misconceptions that surround the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and giving a brief overview of the business intelligence (BI) and reporting tools that can be combined on the Microsoft platform to help you generate the results that you need.

The focus of the book is to help you implement a successful business intelligence project of your own. The text discusses many of the required project planning components, provides overviews and examples associated with Microsoft's BI tools, and gives detailed examples of successful dashboard implementations.

What you'll learn

  • The key functional and technical components of a successful report/dashboard implementation
  • What Microsoft tools are provided both within and without SQL Server 2008 to help you achieve an integrated solution
  • How to determine whether your performance indicators are correct for your business and how to roll them out to your organization in an effective way
About the Author

Brian Paulen cofounded Madrona Solutions Group in July 2005. He has overall responsibility for the firm's growing business and for managing client and partner relationships. Additionally, Brian works to ensure that Madrona can offer an exciting and challenging environment for its employees. He has extensive project and program management experience, and is an expert in delivering strategic sales and marketing solutions. Prior to founding Madrona Solutions, Brian was the director of the CRM practice at Two Degrees Consulting. There, he had overall responsibility for sales and client delivery of CRM solutions. Earlier, Brian was a member of the CRM team at Equarius (now Interlink Group), working primarily with clients in the Pacific Northwest. His career began at Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), working out of their New York office. Brian holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and international business from Lehigh University.

Jeff Finken cofounded Madrona Solutions Group in July 2005 and brings years of experience to his role as director of Madrona's BI practice. He particularly focuses on working with sales, marketing, and IT leaders to define KPIs that drive improved organizational performance. Prior to joining Madrona, Jeff led and delivered BI projects while at Deloitte Consulting and Onyx Software. Specific clients have included Microsoft, Paccar, Pemco, Expedia, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.