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Importing a Physical Schema from Multidimensional Data Sources

This topic is part of Process of Creating the Physical Layer from Multidimensional Data Sources.

CAUTION:  Although you can create a physical schema from a multidimensional data source, it is strongly recommended that you import it.

Siebel Business Analytics uses XMLA standards to import data from a multidimensional data source into the analytics repository. During the import process, each cube in a multidimensional data source is created as a single physical cube table. Siebel Business Analytics imports the cube, including its metrics, dimensions and hierarchies. After importing the cubes, you need to make sure that the physical cube columns have the correct aggregation rule and that the default member type ALL is correctly imported for a hierarchy. For more information, see Adding a Hierarchy to a Physical Cube Table.

The following list includes information that you should consider before importing data:

• Microsoft Analysis Services is the only supported XMLA-compliant data source currently available.
• Siebel Business Analytics only imports the dimensions and hierarchies that are supported by Siebel Business Analytics. Therefore, if a cube has a ragged hierarchy or a parent-child hierarchy, it will not be imported.
• It is recommended that you remove hierarchies and columns from the physical layer if they will not be used in the business model. This eliminates maintaining unnecessary objects in the Administration Tool and might result in better performance.

To import a physical schema from multidimensional data sources

1. In the Administration Tool, select File > Import from XMLA.
2. In the Import From XMLA dialog box, in the URL field, type the URL for the Web service that acts as the XMLA provider.

   Obtain the URL connection string from your Microsoft Analysis Services Administrator.

3. In the username and password fields, type a valid username and password for the data source.

   The administrator must supply the user name and password for the data source.

4. Click OK.

   The Administration Tool connects to the destination source to obtain a list of the available data catalogs (databases).

5. In the second Import From XMLA dialog box, expand the data source and catalog (database), if necessary, and select the catalogs (databases) or cubes to import.

   For more information The OK button is unavailable until you select a downloadable object.

6. After you select all the objects you want to import, click OK.