MDX Tools 1

[JayKusch]

Sorry if this has been posted before, but the search engine is down.

Does anyone have a list of tools for developing MDX besides the one that is bundled with MS AS?

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[MDXer]

I hvae used a couple provided to me when working with diffrent companies but don't remember any of their names. One is provided with Spoffords book. I have seen and used maybe 3-4 total and have found the mdx sample app to actually be the best for developing pure mdx.

"Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!"
- Daffy Duck

 

[JayKusch]

I am trying to remember a MDX tool I used in the past by a company which had "Dog" in its name ... Something like "flipdog", which I know is a job search site ... But something to that effect.

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[MDXer]

Jay,

was it Hungy dog?

Located at

http://www.hungrydogsoftware.com/IntelliBrowser.htm

"Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!"
- Daffy Duck

 

[JayKusch]

BINGO! going w/ the dog theme here - LOL

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[MDXer]

Unfortunately the hungry dog app is a full reporting tool for analysis services. Unfortunately I don't even think MDXBuilder, which was one of the ones I couldn't think of, is still around. I think if someone or compnay developed a nice robust MDX editor that had more features than what exist in the MDX Sample app the could actually have a market for it.

Remember the MDX sample app wasn't really written to be the Query analyzer for Analysis services. MS also has included the source code for the sample app to allow people to add on features they need. Some features I have seen added Was query timing, outputting query info to log files and the ability to run all queries in a .mdx file from a menu selection.

Are there any specific criteria you are looking for in an editor?

"Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!"
- Daffy Duck

 

[JayKusch]

Well, you hit it on the head when you said a "QA for AS". Is there a site that would have the extended version of the sample app? We are just starting to create MDX statements and thought I would check out any/all apps that helped in developing MDX syntax for reporting uses.

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[MDXer]

Unfortuantely I didn't see them on any sites I have worked with people who have made the modifications. MDX Sample app is a VB6 app that is easily modified.

"Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!"
- Daffy Duck

 

[kmreboot]

Where can I get the MDX Sample App?

 

[MDXer]

it is installed with MS Analysis Services.

"Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!"
- Daffy Duck

 

[JayKusch]

Have you any experience/comments on ProClarity?

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[MDXer]

Jay,

Sorry for the delay in replying to this question but it required a bit of thought and stepping back and and re-eavaluating some of my opinions.

Proclarity in their Desktop and 4.x Thin client provide a great deal of usability that other companies seem to lack. Although the thin client is extremely sparce on allowing users the ability to do what I see as being very basic tasks (creation of calculations, named sets are a couple) I learned in almost 2 years working with not only the product but a number of Proclarity consultants and developers that you have to becareful in how you approach creating a report in proclarity and that because of Execution order and the use of session objects, proclarity simply cannot do some types of reports and be interactive with a user. Use op TOP and Bottom Functions, Head Function make it impossible for a user to modify a published report. As far as customer support goes it was improving as of my last dealing with them.

The main factor would be what you or your company needs a front end to do.

I tried to be fair in my judgement.



"Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!"
- Daffy Duck