Introduction to SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services: Exploring Virtual Cubes

One of the main reasons for creating a virtual cube is to compare values that exist within two OLAP databases against each other. We will create a virtual cube that accomplishes this and also effectively demonstrates the general steps of design and creation.

Our example will involve the Sales and Budget cubes, both of which are installed as sample with a Typical MSSQL Server 2000 Analysis Services installation. As one might conclude from the names, the Sales cube houses actual sales data, while the Budget cube contains budgeted values for many of the corresponding accounts. The primary objective in creating our first virtual cube will be to provide information consumers a means of comparing actual and budget values, in our case expense values.

1. Start Analysis Manager, then expand the Analysis Server name (shown below as MOTHER) to see the underlying databases as shown below:

Illustration 1: Expand the Analysis Server

2. Expand the FoodMart 2000 database to see the underlying folders as displayed in Illustration 2:

Illustration 2: Expand the FoodMart 2000 Database

3. Right-click the Cubes folder.
4. Click New Virtual Cube on the context menu, as shown below.

Illustration 3: Select New Virtual Cube

The Virtual Cube Wizard Welcome Dialog appears as shown in Illustration 4.

Illustration 4: The Virtual Cube Wizard Welcome Dialog

5. Click Next.