Pre-Installation FAQs
Whats a Microsoft .NET Framework
Why do I need the .NET Framework
What will I get from installing the .NET Framework
Do I need SQL Server or Analysis Services installed on my computer
Installation/Configuration FAQs
The List of Scratch Databases on the Configuration Wizard is empty
I can get to the General Settings Screen, even though a scratch database is not selected?
Clicking on Next in the General Settings screen displays the General Settings screen again?
Registration FAQs
Why are you asking me for my email address
CUBE Definition FAQs
Wot No Average
The Cube totals are Incorrect or Negative
How can I create multiple aggregations for a single Measure
CUBE Generation FAQs
When I change my SQL query my cube doesnt change!
Ive managed to get duplicate column names in my cube and it wont build!
What's a Microsoft .NET Framework
Let's start by explaining what it is not. The Microsoft .NET Framework is not a development tool. The .NET Framework is an integral Windows component that is shipped as part of some editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, it is
therefore a part of Microsoft's latest Operating Systems. It supports building and running the next generation of applications including applications developed by Academy Software Products. The .NET Framework is designed to fulfill
the following objectives:
To provide a consistent object-oriented programming environment whether object code is stored and executed locally, executed locally but Internet-distributed, or executed remotely.
To provide a code-execution environment that minimizes software deployment and versioning conflicts.
To provide a code-execution environment that promotes safe execution of code, including code created by an unknown or semi-trusted third party.
To provide a code-execution environment that eliminates the performance problems of scripted or interpreted environments.
To make the developer experience consistent across widely varying types of applications, such as Windows-based applications and Web-based applications.
To build all communication on industry standards to ensure that code based on the .NET Framework can integrate with any other code.
We have chosen to develop CUBE-it Zero along with most of our other applications using the .NET framework for these reasons.
Why do I need the .NET Framework?
CUBE-it Zero like most of the applications developed by Academy Software Products, will not function unless the Microsoft .NET Framework is installed. Using the .NET Framework enables us to produce highly user friendly and robust
products with minimal development effort. A number of software organisations have adopted this technology also, and therefore you may already have it installed without realising it.
What will I get from installing the .NET Framework?
The following list includes some of the benefits of having the .NET Framework installed:
- Easier installation of commercial applications: Many commercial applications from Microsoft and from third parties rely on the .NET Framework to support their core functionality. If you have the .NET Framework
installed, these applications are easier to install. Some applications that depend on the .NET Framework for support include the following:
- Microsoft Encarta 2005
- Microsoft Windows Live OneCare
- Intuit QuickBooks
- HP Image Zone
- Streamload
- PayPal
- Grouper
- CUBE-it Zero
- Data Academy
- SQL TRACK-it
- Easier updates: After the .NET Framework is installed, it is updated automatically by the Microsoft Update service. If you receive Automatic Updates through Control Panel, any versions of the .NET Framework
that are installed on the computer will always be up to date with the latest service packs.
Do I need SQL Server or Analysis Services installed on my computer?
The sort answer to this question is 'NO', it is not necessary to have either SQL Server or SQL Server Analysis services installed on your computer to be able to successfully install, use and subsequently build CUBE-it Zero CUBES.
CUBE-it Zero will install fine without SQL Server on your PC and at no time will you be asked to install SQL Server.
It is however necessary for you to have at least network access to a version of SQL Server and Analysis Services.
The List of Scratch Databases on the Configuration Wizard is empty
I'm connecting to SQL Server 2005 using Windows Authentication. When I get to the Scratch Database screen in the configuration wizard the list of databases is empty.....
There are three main reasons why the Database list could be empty on the Scratch database screen
Incorrect or inaccessible SQL Server
The Server name specified does not exist, does not have SQL Server installed on it or is not network accessible.
Resolution - Check the server name being specified in the server name box and ensure that the server in question is network accessible.
SQL Remote connections not enabled
The Server specified does not have remote connections enabled, or does not have the correct remote access protocols enabled.
Resolution - Your systems administration team will need to use the SQL Server Surface configuration utility to ensure that the server has remote access enabled and the correct protocols are enabled, re-configuration
may require a restart of SQL Server
Incorrect Security Rights
This is the most common reason for the lack of databases. You must have at least "read" access to the SQL Server "master" database.
Resolution - Get your SQL Server DBA to provide your Windows User with "Read" access to the SQL Server "master" database.
I can get to the General Settings Screen, even though a scratch database is not selected?
The scratch database is actually only used when connecting to an "Access" or "ORACLE" data source. It is therefore required when you purchase any of the additional data connectors
If you do not specify a scratch database, this will not cause any problems if you are user SQL Server as a data source.
Clicking on Next in the General Settings screen displays the General Settings screen again?
The "next" button is not enabled on the "General Settings" screen, you should use the "Finish" button to complete the Wizard...
Why are you asking me for my email address?
As a new user of CUBE-it Zero, we need to send you a licence key. This is completely free, and at no time will be ask for any other information other than your email address. In order for us to be able to send you your own personal
licence key, we need your email address. We will not use this email address for any other purpose unless you agree to it. Email is about the safest and most reliable way to get the key to you.
If you do not receive you licence key, then please feel free to mail us and let us know so that we can ensure you get your key (service@bi-lite.com).
Wot? No Average?
You will almost certainly have noticed the lack of an "Average" (or "Mean") aggregation method for measures. The more informed of you will be aware that SQL Server Analysis Services supports an "Average of Children" aggregation
method and this is conspicous by it's absence. It was not included as it does not provide a simple "Mean" average, but an average over time which from a reporting point of view appears confusing to the uninitiated.
In order to provide average aggregation in your analysis, we suggest that you use a calculation in your reporting tool which takes a SUM aggregated measure, and divides it by a COUNT aggregated measure. (If necessary, see the FAQ
on how to create multiple aggregations on a single measure)
The Cube totals are Incorrect or Negative
When viewing your cube you may notice that whilst all your individual data are correct, some of the totals are wrong.
In this case the Grand Total is clearly wrong as it is negative. In the original database, where the source query is based upon, Ordered Quantity is stored in the database as a Smallint data type.
This means Ordered Quantity for any particular Product must be in the range -32,768 to +32,767. On an individual basis this is always true, but the totals carry forward the same data type and in this case as the Grand Total is greater
than 32,767 an overflow occurs. Instead of an error Analysis Services will wrap around for numbers higher than 32,767 to start counting from -32,768 again, hence a negative total occurs. Always make sure that the data types for
individual measures in your source data are large enough to carry a Grand Total.
How can I create multiple aggregations for a single Measure
The cube definition screen will only provide the capability for a measure to appear once, therefore it would appear that a measure can have only one aggregation function. This is by design. If you need to apply more than one aggregation
for a measure, you need the measure to appear more than once in the Cube definition screen. This can be done by adding the measure source field more than once in the data source query screen, and aliasing it to two different fieldnames
It will then appear twice in the cube definition screen and different aggregations can be assigned to each instance of the field.
When I change my SQL query my cube doesn't change!
Once a cube has been built CUBE-it Zero re-uses the "Data Source View" in Analysis Server, at the moment what you are going to have to do is manually delete the changed "Data Source View" using Microsoft SQL Management Studio or
SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio.
Now you can rebuild your cube
I've managed to get duplicate column names in my cube and it won't build!
You may experience this if you've chosen to make a "SELECT *" on more than one table, and they contain a common column name. It is also possible if you have selected common columns and not aliased them.
To solve this problem, be more selective when choosing what columns to harvest and if you have duplicate source column names makes sure you alias them.
In addition to this you will need to delete the existing "Data Source View" in Analysis Server, at the moment what you are going to have to do is manually delete the "Data Source View" using Microsoft SQL Management Studio
or SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio.
Now you can rebuild your cube