Shortcuts and Utils needed for BI and .net Developer

Below are shortcuts and needed utils for BI and .net developer

Last Updated: May 02, 2012
Sreedhar Vankayala

Windows Shortcuts

To launch SQL BIDS ... Window + R (run) ... deveenv
File/Folder Properties ... Select file/folder and double click with mouse
To launch SQL Management Studio 2005 ... Window + R (run) ... sqlwb
To launch SQL Management Studio 2008 ... Window + R (run) ... ssms
To start/stop the sql server using cmd: net start/stop mssqlserver

Database Modelling

Typically used data modellers: Erwin ( http://erwin.com/ ), ER Studio ( http://www.embarcadero.com/products/er-studio), Toad ( http://www.quest.com/toad-data-modeler/)

Utils

Microsoft System Internals: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default
Unix Utils for Windows: http://unxutils.sourceforge.net/
WinMerge (open source) good for comparing. Download the add on to compare excel files
NotePad++, Textpad - Good for text editing

Videos about learning Microsoft BI

Virtual TechDays
Tech-Ed
Professional Developers Conference (PDC)
SQL Down Under (Podcast/Audio Show)

In my experience, I have not come across any other products (Non-Microsoft) having as good documentation as that of Microsoft BI (SQL Server BI) on SQL Server Books Online. Also, the support offered by Microsoft and the community through msdn forums is excellent.

SQL Utils

http://opendbiff.codeplex.com/

http://dbdiff.codeplex.com/

http://sqldiffframework.codeplex.com/releases/view/45255

http://dbsourcetools.codeplex.com/

SSAS Tools

What frontend people are using for SSAS database?

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Reporting Services

ProClarity

In house build Software

Panorama Novaview

SoftPro CubePlayer