Training Kit (Exam 70-463) Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (MCSA) (Microsoft Press Training Kit)

I got my MCDBA back in 2002 using SQL Server 2000 and at the time, there was little if any emphasis on data warehousing. So I decided to brush up on my skills and purchased a Wrox SSIS 24-Hour Trainer book. It did introduce me to the subject, and I was able to pass a short online exam on SSIS using it.But then I decided to take the Microsoft 70-463 exam on Data Warehousing and bought the Microsoft Training Kit. It is far, far superior to the Wrox book. It is much more complete, better written, provides sample tests, and gives you a coupon for 15% off on the actual exam. In retrospect, I wish I had not wasted my time on the Wrox book, but had gone directly to the Microsoft Training Kit. The Kit can serve as a true reference after the test.

I liked this book covered a lot of BI topics in the right depth for the average DBA to work with BI technologies in SQL 2012. It does a fine job of presenting it and the exercises are great complement. It works well for the exam but there is a lot to cover in broad areas so read it well. Great book for both an exam and SQL 2012 BI feature reference.It will do you good to have a copy on your shelf.

I only give it 4 out of 5 because of the publisher. The CD seemed like it was never imaged.I purchased all three Microsoft Press Training Kits 70-461, 70-462, and 70-463. I though the Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 was pretty good. I have been using SQL server since 7.0 but I think anyone migrating to 2012 needs to buy the book and school up on the changes in SSIS and columnstore index. I did the MCSA in exactly 90 days from the date the first kit was delivered. Unfortunately I did have a delay from a testing center's Prometric testing software not working. I suggest taking the numbers of the nearest testing facilities with you on the day of the exam in case there are any technical difficulties. The Prometric number is 1-800-775-3926 to call and reschedule but get the ticket number for the problem logged. Use a land line not a cell phone and expect to be on hold for over an hour. Once you are through, the Prometric customer service is great.

Good training books. Easy to read & follow. Some parts could stand for more screenshots to make it easier to follow the author's lessons. I recommend not to get too detailed about the book's contents the first time around, just skim through it, then come back for the meat & potatoes. And don't fret over things that don't make sense because not everything is on the exam (wink).

The book is well organized and covers the huge topic of Data Warehousing in great detail. If you need a reference with hands-on examples of how to get things done--this book will get you up-to-speed and on track in no time. The practice exercises are well thought-out and provide invaluable guidance towards learning a broad and difficult subject. The nearly 800 pages are organized into 20 Chapters that cover each topic in detail. Each topic has 1 - 3 Lessons with an estimated completion time. I counted 56 Lessons with an estimated time of 45 hours. Add sample questions for each lesson and Case Studies for each Chapter and I suggest you plan on at least 60 hours to cover the book. The book covers SSIS in great detail including the new Deployment model which is essential. It offers only an introduction to Data Quality Services and Master Data Services but together with the exercises, that's enough to get through installation and a few examples. The book finishes with an intro to Data Mining and some nice examples of Advanced Data Quality with DQS Cleansing and Fuzzy Transforms. Get this book if you want/need to implement a Data Warehouse.Now having said that, you will need to factor in the horrible state of the practice content. About 1/2 of the practice exercises don't work as presented. I have a good bit of experience in this field and managed to get through almost every exercise. But it was a struggle. I'd estimate that I spent at least 10 additional hours troubleshooting and cleaning up code. Much of the code is SSIS and quite a few packages (including the "Solution" packages)are blank! Some packages build on others as you progress through the lessons, so you might try jumping ahead to find some working code.Now let's discuss the sample questions and included practice tests. I made sure that I understood every Chapter Lesson Question and all 186 Practice Test Questions thoroughly. Took the test and scored 628. Bummer. The Cert Exam is nothing like the practice material provided in the book. I went through the entire book a second time and purchased another practice exam (Thanks MS for the 2nd Shot) and passed ok.If you are comfortable with this topic, can troubleshoot/debug code and/or want a great reference book--This does the job. I keep the pdf version handy for on-the-job reference. If you are new to this topic and/or looking to get your MCSA (this was the final exam for me) you might want to look elsewhere. I struggled with a rating. Clearly the authors put a lot into this book, but it was a disastrous training kit. Good Luck.

So far I enjoy reading this series. I recommend getting the new version with the cd for the test materials.

Nice book

Todo correcto

Helped me pass the exam, its really hard to find good test materials besides this book, and this luckily was a great book to read.

Ce livre complète mes connaissances basiques en DWH. Il est un peu trop long à lire mais j'ai beaucoup aimé les exercices après chaque chapitre qui. Je recommande ce livre à toutes personnes désirant apprendre la Business Intelligence.

I didn't buy this book just to pass my exam but also to strenghten my theories (what's happening at backend). I really loved all tips for optimisations and they are in use now.I'll thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who works on SSIS-I happliy take this book as my main reference book and I've read a lot of books on same subject matter......Unfortunately this is no way a book for beginners.......