Friday, January 4, 2008

Analyzing vs. Designing

I want to describe the difference between "Data Mining with SQL Server 2005" and "Data Analysis Using SQL and excel" in general.
This difference is derived from the distinction between analyzing and designing data mining systems.
For analyzing a Data Mining system, you must use some tools that have the potential of rapid development, in order to interact with the stakeholders and users quickly. In this situation, I recommend using Excel and SQL to clarify the results for users, due to the fact that, in this situation there is not any implemented mining model on OLAP server.
But if you are designing a Data Mining system, you must have a good knowledge of the OLAP server and the development tools that it has.
As a result, I think the “Data Mining with SQL Server 2005" suits for Designing, while the "Data Analysis Using SQL and excel" is appropriate for Analyzing.

I prefer to read both of these books, in order to handle the analyst and designer roles in a BI project, Maybe it is because of the fact that, I could not find anyone who can do one of these roles.
But I prefer to read the “Data Analysis Using SQL and excel” at first, then involve in “Data Mining with SQL Server 2005”.
I think it is worth to buy “Data Analysis Using SQL and excel”, but I have not any idea about the other book, but it is not so important, because there are not any other books which describe Data mining with SQL Server 2005, practically.
Finally, I do not think these books can be used instead of each other. In fact, they must be used as complementary.

4 comments:

Pedro said...

Dear Amin,
I will buy one of the books... and maybe I will follow you suggestion on first buy the SQL Data Analysis with Excel. I'll buy it now from amazon!:-)
And I sugest to write our feedback in ours blogs!!!
Kind regards!!!
Cheers!!

Pedro said...

How is going the read of your book?! :-)
regards!

Pedro said...

Hi Amin!
Write about what your are currently doing in design an architecture for the International Division!!
Cheers!!!
Pedro

Amin said...

Amin said...
Dear Pedro,
It is a good idea to write about this book in order to notify others about your suggestions,
I think this book is very well organized and it is worth it, yet consider that it does not explain the SSAS tools and this only explains applying data mining with Excel and SQL.
Regards,
Amin

January 5, 2008 8:20 PM
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I read two chapters of it, and the second chapter is brilliant, especially if you are interested in representing the knowledge via Excel charts, I really amazed how we can utilize charts for transferring the knowledge, It is fully practical,
Unfortunately I have a few time for continuing the reading, because nowadays I have to design an architecture for the International Division Program, and it is time consuming,
Regards,
Amin

January 15, 2008 8:42 PM
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Hi Pedro
We had an out-source project for International Division which was not successful, and It is not about BI system, indeed it is an online application for branches and the head office which enables users to do all the activities online and it contains all of their activities like swift, LC, etc. (TPS System)
I assigned to manage the new project and I want to write a RFP and I am studying about current solutions in .net and the environment that we have.
I must specify the Artifacts that they must provide based on RUP, and also control the suggestions and artifacts that software corporations offer.
Unfortunately, it is very time consuming.

Regards,
Amin

January 25, 2008 8:37 PM