SSAS cube Deployment

Question

I was trying my hands on building Cubes using AdventureWorksOlap database. I successfully build what I was trying to do. Now my concern is that I want to deploy the cube to a server so that rest of the team members can use this cube as a datasource while generating their SSRS reports (might be some other tools).

I have heard that SSAS does not allows Sql Authentication. So,

1) how will the members access the cube?
2) What authentication changes do I need to incorporate?
3) How can the other developer using his computer's SSMS access the cube and make changes to it (just like we can do it in the OLTP database)?
4) I need to prepare a dashboard using this cube. Any suggestions on this one.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

1) Windows Authentication

2) none.

3) Once the cube is deployed you cant change it. Actually you can change some things like partitions and roles, but you cant add a dimension for example. You need to change the project on BIDS and redeploy it

Answer 2

I would recommend starting with Excel Pivot Tables to learn what type of dashboard you will want to create. By working with the end-users, you can understand what information they want/need to see.

Regarding security, as mentioned, by design cubes use Windows auth only. Here's a blog that talks about circumventing standard security.

Also, I have posted a series of videos on how to create OLAP cubes SSAS in SQL Server 2008 using BIDS. You may find this series helpful.