We all know that Data Warehousing offers the best platform for data analysis, but how do you design, build, and load one?  What are the critical steps in designing a Dimensional Model?  How can you take your source data and build appropriate Dimension and Fact tables?  What is the best way to track history? Creating your first Data Warehouse can seem like an overwhelming task.

In this full day pre-conference seminar, you’ll learn the core skills required in Data Warehousing with practical examples and demos from real world situations.  For example, you’ll learn how to:

• Design Dimensions and load them with T-SQL and SSIS.
• Determine if Slowly Changing Type 1 and 2 Dimensions are needed and when to use each.
• Load both SCD types using several accepted methods including T-SQL Merge, the SCD Wizard, and a free custom transformation.
• Design the three basic types of Fact Tables and load them utilizing proven SSIS design patterns.
• Create and use a Date Dimension to facilitate data analysis.
• Set up and utilize a SSIS Framework to handle Package Configurations and Logging in both SSIS 2008R2 and 2012.
• Configure the most important Control Flow Items such as the Execute SQL Task, Sequence and Looping Containers, and the Execute Package Task.
• Extract from and Load into the most common database systems and file types.
• Use the most important Data Flow Transformations such as Lookup, Fuzzy Lookup and Grouping, Conditional Split, as well as several free custom transformations that you absolutely need in your toolbox.
• Quickly identify problematic fields in data sources and implement effective Data Cleansing strategies.
• Performance tune SSIS to optimize your data warehouse loads.
• Optimize data analysis by implementing best practices for indexes and constraints.
• Avoid common pitfalls in the process so that you can get it right the first time.

This seminar will not be your typical, “This is BIDS and we’ll cover every task one at a time,” session.  Instead we’ll focus on the tasks you’ll regularly use, and on the core skills that you absolutely need to succeed in your Data Warehouse project.

David Stein is a Senior Business Intelligence Consultant with WaveTwo in Irving, TX.  He’s worked in SQL Server Business Intelligence for almost a decade.  He’s designed Data Warehouses from scratch as well as saved projects in serious jeopardy.

He is also very active in the community, having spoken at PASS events at all levels, including the PASS Summit, SQL Rally, and at numerous SQL Saturday events and user groups.  He’s also given multi-day pre-conference seminars at third party events regarding Microsoft Business Intelligence.

You can learn more about Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, and other technical topics on his blog at Made2Mentor.com or follow him on Twitter, @Made2Mentor.

Attend this full day pre-con and let David be your guide through this process. He’ll save you time, money, and headaches.