Database Reference
In-Depth Information
to a production server and monitored on an ongoing basis. Figure 13-2 shows
a typical example of such an environment.
F I g u R e 13-2
BI environments using Microsoft tools
PowerPivot thus sits as the glue holding many of the visualization tools
together.
BIsm
Microsoft talks about the Business Intelligence Semantic Layer (BISM) as the
common term across the OLAP and column-store worlds. The semantic
layers serve as a single common point to store calculations and business
terms—this means that when a calculation changes due to changing
accounting regulations or other reasons, it can be changed in a single
central location rather than having to edit every report and dashboard
containing the calculation.
DEFINITIoNS
There are several terms in general use as verbs when doing ad hoc analyt-
ics—each of these will be covered in the section ahead—these terms are
