XML for Analysis (XMLA)

Are there differences in the MDX "standard"?

Mike van der Velden has posted another great entry on Simba Technologies' blog about the differences in how some software companies have implemented and interpreted the MDX query language data standard.  You can read Mike's post here.  Definitely worth a read if you are confounded with incompatibility issues, or if you're looking to implement MDX in your own product.

Oracle and Simba Technologies Introduce MDX Provider for Oracle OLAP 2.0

Oracle and Simba Technologies announced September 20, 2010 at Oracle OpenWorld the immediate availability of MDX Provider for Oracle OLAP 2.0 for directly connecting popular applications such as Microsoft Excel PivotTables to Oracle Database 11g OLAP Option.  New features in version 2 of the product include:

• support for Microsoft Excel 2010 (32-bit and 64-bit versions) to enable users to work with larger datasets;
• support for drillthroughs within Excel which enables quick, easy access to originating data for auditing or more detailed data analysis;
• support for visual slicers for improved dimensional filtering of complex datasets;
• support for sparklines that enable cell-level formatting with embedded micro-charts for visual trending analysis; and,
• integration with Excel Services 2010 or 2007 to store and share workbooks on Microsoft Sharepoint for collaboration.

Read the announcement.

Simba Releases Updated ODBO to XMLA Bridge

Simba Technologies released on September 8, 2010 an updated version of its SimbaO2X data provider that connects ODBO-based business intelligence and analytics applications to XMLA-based multi-dimensional data sources.  SimbaO2X is the defacto solution for connecting Microsoft Excel PivotTables to XMLA-based data sources from multiple vendors.  New features in the product include support for Microsoft Excel 2010 and support for both 32-bit and 64-bit ODBO-based applications.  Learn more here.

Simba Releases Updated MDX SDK Adding 64-bit ODBO Capability and Excel 2010 Support

Simba Technologies announced June 8, 2010 the availability of SimbaProvider OLAP SDK 4.3 with added support for building native 64-bit ODBO data providers.  The SDK is a popular choice amongst software companies and developers for building standards-based ODBO and XMLA data providers that connect OLAP-based business intelligence and analytics applications to multi-dimensional and star schema relational data sources.  With native 64-bit ODBO capability, developers can now build ODBO providers connecting to the latest generation of applications like Microsoft Excel 2010 64-bit.  Learn more here.

Simba Technologies Provides Easy Solution to Build Java-based XMLA Data Providers

Simba Technologies' new SimbaProvider MDX SDK 4.1 adds support to build Java-based XMLA data providers for interoperability across platforms.  Simba announced immediate availability for the MDX query language toolkit on July 31, 2007.  The new Java-based XMLA provider complements the SDK's existing and proven .NET-based XMLA provider and OLE DB for OLAP (ODBO) provider.  SimbaProvider MDX SDK also includes Simba's full MDX 2005 engine. More information and a free MDX SDK evaluation download is available on Simba's website.

Simba Technologies Releases Updated ODBO to XMLA Data Connectivity Bridge

Simba Technologies announced on March 20, 2007 the immediate availability of SimbaO2X 2.5 -- a solution for connecting OLE DB for OLAP (ODBO)-based applications to XML for Analysis (XMLA)-based data sources.  SimbaO2X 2.5 adds support for Microsoft Excel 2007.

SimbaO2X is used by both proprietary and open source software companies to enable connectivity from applications such as Microsoft Excel to XMLA-based data. Simba's ODBO technology is used by the majority of software vendors who have MDX Language providers for connectivity to Microsoft Excel.

You can get a free SimbaO2X evaluation or more information on Simba's website.

Using SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services with Hyperion Essbase

Simba Technologies has contributed a technical article to the Microsoft community entitled, "Using SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services with Hyperion Essbase" [doc].  This paper discusses the integration of Hyperion Essbase with SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Service Pack 2, and provides an overview of how Reporting Services can be used to build high-quality reports against Hyperion Essbase sources. Hyperion-specific terms that may be unfamiliar are briefly explained. A number of useful tips and tricks for working with the two systems are presented. A brief troubleshooting section helps users overcome some of the more common problems that may be encountered. Overall, this paper is intended to serve as a guide to help users benefit from the integration of these two products.

SimbaProvider MDX Toolkit Set to Support New Functionality that Will Be Introduced in Microsoft Excel 2007

Simba Technologies announced September 19, 2006 that its industry leading MDX query language Software Development Kit (SDK) will support new functionality being introduced in Microsoft Excel 2007 PivotTables.

It is widely expected that Microsoft Excel 2007 will incorporate even greater BI functionality, leveraging Microsoft's use of advanced MDX query language for enhanced query and reporting functionality within the product.

Simba's SimbaProvider MDX SDK is the toolkit most used by Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) for adding full MDX capability, as well as OLE DB for OLAP (ODBO) and XML for Analysis (XMLA) data interfaces to their proprietary OLAP or multi-dimensional data sources.  Using the MDX SDK, ISVs can quickly and easily implement connectivity between Excel and their data source, providing full Excel 2007 functionality to their customers.  Check out Simba's SimbaProvider MDX SDK announcement.

New Features in SQL Server 2005 SP1

Brian Moran at SQL Server Magazine reviews some of the new features in Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 SP1 release in this May 4, 2006 article aptly named, "New Features in SQL Server 2005 SP1". Brian notable calls out SQL Server 2005 SP1's new .NET data provider and new MDX Query Designer that directly support enterprise reporting against SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence.

Using SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services with SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence

Richard Mao of Simba Technologies has prepared a technical article posted on Microsoft TechNet, entitled "Using SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services with SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence". For Reporting Services users who are new to working with SAP NetWeaver BI, this paper will help you get up and running quickly. For users who are already familiar with SAP NetWeaver, the paper will show how some of that system's notable features can be leveraged in Reporting Services reports. It also presents some tips and tricks that can help you make the most of the integration between the two products.