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Get the Report →Create SSAS Tabular Models from Dynamics GP Data
How to build a SQL Server Analysis Service Tabular Model from Dynamics GP data using CData drivers.
SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is an analytical data engine used in decision support and business analytics. It provides enterprise-grade semantic data models for business reports and client applications, such as Power BI, Excel, Reporting Services reports, and other data visualization tools. When paired with the CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics GP, you can create a tabular model from Dynamics GP data for deeper and faster data analysis.
Create a Connection to Dynamics GP Data
If you have not already, first specify connection properties in an ODBC DSN (data source name). This is the last step of the driver installation. You can use the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure ODBC DSNs.
To authenticate set the User and Password connection properties.
To connect set the URL to the Web services endpoint; for example, http://{servername}:{port}/Dynamics/GPService. Additionally, set CompanyId; you can obtain this value in the company setup window: Click Tools -> Setup -> Company.
By default, data summaries are not returned to save performance. Set LookupIds to true to return details such as line items; however, note that entities must be retrieved one at a time.
Creating a Data Source for Dynamics GP
Start by creating a new Analysis Services Tabular Project in Visual Studio. Next create a Data Source for Dynamics GP in the project.
- In the Tabular Model Explorer, right-click Data Sources and select "New Data Source"
- Select "ODBC" from the Other tab and click "Connect"
- Select the DSN you previously configured
- Choose "Default or Custom" as the authentication option and click "Connect"
Add Tables & Relationships
After creating the data source you are ready to import tables and define the relationships between the tables.
- Right-click the new data source, click "Import New Tables" and select the tables to import
- After importing the tables, right-click "Relationships" and click "Create Relationships"
- Select table(s), and choose the foreign keys, cardinality, and filter direction
Create Measures
After importing the tables and defining the relationships, you are ready to create measures.
- Select the column in the table for which you wish to create a measure
- In the Extensions menu -> click "Columns" -> "AutoSum" and select your aggregation method
Deploy the Model
Once you create measures, you are ready to deploy the model. Configure the target server and database by right-clicking the project found in the Solution Explorer and selecting "Properties." Configure the "Deployment Server" properties and click "OK."
After configuring the deployment server, open the "Build" menu and click "Deploy Solution." You now have a tabular model for Dynamics GP data in your SSAS instance, ready to be analyzed, reported, and viewed. Get started with a free, 30-day trial of the CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics GP.