Are you working on an OLAP cube project where you need to process multiple cubes for a client? In this article, we will discuss a solution to dynamically process multiple SSAS cubes in the same ETL package using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).
The Problem
Imagine you are working on an OLAP cube project for a client who has multiple facilities across different countries. Initially, the requirement was to have one OLAP database per client. However, a new client with multiple facilities joined, and it became crucial to understand if other clients might have similar requirements. As a result, you need to modify the SSIS package to dynamically process all the cubes that belong to one client.
The Solution
Here is a step-by-step solution to dynamically process multiple SSAS cubes for a client:
Step 1: Create a Connection Manager
Create an OLAP connection manager in SSIS to connect to the SSAS instance. This connection manager will be used to perform all the activities related to processing the cubes.
Step 2: Declare the Variables
In SSIS, variables play an important role in developing dynamic packages. In this solution, we will have four variables:
- vClientName (String): Used to store the name of the client for which the package is to be executed.
- vOlapDatabaseList (Object): Used to store the list of OLAP databases for the specific customer.
- vOlapDatabaseName (String): Used by the Analysis Services DDL Task to process one database at a time.
- vOlapProcessXmla (String): Used to store the XMLA query for processing the database.
Step 3: Get the OLAP Database List
Create a script task component in SSIS to fetch the list of databases for a specific client and store the list in the variable “vOlapDatabaseList”. This script task will connect to the SSAS instance, retrieve the client name, and fetch the list of databases that contain the client name.
Step 4: Creating the ForEach Loop Container
Use the ForEach loop container in SSIS to iterate through the list of databases obtained in the previous step and process one cube at a time. Bind the list variable “vOlapDatabaseList” with the “vOlapDatabaseName” variable, which will be used in the XMLA script to process the cube.
Step 5: Configure the Analysis Services Execute DDL Task
Configure the Analysis Services Execute DDL Task in SSIS to process the cubes. Set the connection to the SSAS instance, select the XMLA script stored in the variable “vOlapProcessXmla” as the source, and execute the task.
Step 6: Executing the Package
Once all the previous steps are completed, you are ready to execute the package. The package will process all the databases for the client mentioned in the variable “vClientName”.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed how to dynamically process multiple SSAS cubes in the same ETL package using SQL Server Integration Services. By following the steps outlined above, you can efficiently handle scenarios where clients have multiple facilities and require separate OLAP databases. This solution allows for flexibility and scalability in managing and processing cubes for different clients.
For more information on SSIS components and detailed step-by-step guides, refer to the official Microsoft documentation: