Data Mining and Business Intelligence

Data Mining is searching for valuable information within large volumes of data. Business intelligence (BI) is a term that refers to the set of technologies and tools used to collect, store, and share data, and to perform data analysis, produce reports, and integrate data, reports, and analysis. This page provides links of interest in the domain of Data Mining and Business Intelligence.

Resources

Microsoft Faculty Connection - resource for technology news, customizable curriculum, free software downloads, and members-only community forums.

Microsoft Enterprise Consortium at the University of Arkansas – provides access to large, relevant, real-world datasets for teaching and research. You can join the consortium at http://enterprise.waltoncollege.uark.edu/systems.asp?show=mecregistration.

SQL Server Data Mining Site - a site designed by the SQL Server Data Mining team to provide the SQL Server community with access to and information about our exciting data mining features.

SQL Server Developer Center – development center for those interested in SQL Server development topics, reference material, training and news.

SQL Server 2008 Developer Center – SQL Server 2008 development center for those interested in SQL Server development topics, reference material, training and news

Classroom Resources

Business Intelligence on the Microsoft Platform - Building a BI Demo Server – This file is a supplemental component of the "Business Intelligence on the Microsoft Platform" and it illustrates the steps needed to build a BI Demo Server.

Introduction to Transact-SQL This very complete course about the language Transac-SQL and its use in SQL Server. It shows the treatment of data, how to create, modify, group, resume, combine, consult and more operations with data. It also describes the installation and administration of DB.

Software

Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance (MSDN AA) - MSDN AA is the easiest and most inexpensive way for students and faculty in the technology and design fields to get the latest Microsoft software they need.

Microsoft SQL Server Home Page – Microsoft SQL Server home page with a great assortment of SQL Server resources and information

Books

Data Mining with SQL Server 2005 - Serving as your expert guide, this book shows you how to create and implement data mining applications that will find the hidden patterns from your historical datasets. The authors explore the core concepts of data mining as well as the latest trends.

Microsoft SQL Server Book List – an aggregated list of Microsoft SQL Server books

Introduction to Data Mining – By Pang-Ning Tan, Michael Steinbach, and Vipin Kumar

Training

Microsoft SQL Server Training Courses – an aggregated list of available Microsoft SQL Server Training Courses Beginner Learning Videos – very basic introduction to database topics using a short video format Starter Data Schemas & Tutorial – 10 basics database schema’s and a beginners tutorial “Understanding a Database Schema”

Virtual Labs

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Virtual Labs – virtual labs do not require any software installs or configuration changes and let you work with the latest technology with real hands on labs