Excel 2002/2003 Add-in for SQL Server Analysis Services
Check out Marco Russo, Teo Lachev, and Chris Webb’s posts regarding the newly available Excel Add-in 1.5 for Analysis Services which has been updated to support AS2005. Ted, in particular, had some thoughts that triggered further thoughts in me.
While Teo thinks that it is optimistic to expect that all organizations will embrace Excel as an OLAP browser, I’ve had three implementations with two different companies that did just that. I know, (two companies) != (all organizations). Still, thinking about the various Essbase implementations I’ve been cozy with as an end-user or developer, Excel was the only client in those cases as well. My point is that if it is, in fact, optimistic to expect that all organizations will embrace Excel as an OLAP browser, it’s not that optimistic.
Also, I think there is still a ton of opportunity for Microsoft to strengthen Excel as an OLAP browser either directly in the product itself or indirectly through add-ins. More capability, more control. Go deep - I want the chunk of ice below the surface.
I would say however that there are two problems with focusing solely on Excel which tend to make me agree with the gist of Teo's message. One, it isn’t a very forward thinking view. Two, while I think an OLAP solution should cover the Excel scenario, there is a gap that needs to be filled for casual users of the solution.
For this class of folks we need a lightweight, browser-based solution and I’d second Teo’s wishes for a .NET-based control. While I’ve yet to be blown away by a stand-alone OLAP client that I’d recommend to people as a must have item, when I do find one, odds are that it’ll be a web-based client that’s going to get my nod for the casual user gap filler. In the meantime, Dundas has my attention with its OLAP Services functionality in Dundas Chart for .NET.