Ebay OLAP Cube

OLAP Cube Analysis

Ebay Company

Client: The BRC Group

Shoe Goo Sales Division

ColoradoDirtCheap.com

Denver, Colorado

Presented By: Robert Fowles

[email protected]

303-953-2849

Table of Contents

• Project Summary and Goals ..……………………………………………………... 3• Business Description …………………………………………………………………... 5• ETL using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) …………………….…… 8• Cube Creation using SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) ……………. 12• KPI’s, Trend Indicators & Named Sets …………………….……………………. 15• MDX Code changes .……………………………………………………………….……. 16• SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) …………………………………….……. 19• Final Analysis of Ebay company ColoradoDirtCheap ……….…………… 22

Project Summary

OLAP Cube Analysis created for Ebay Business ColoradoDirtCheap.comContained within this portfolio are screen shots of work completed in the creation of a full cube analysis of an Ebay business called ColoradoDirtCheap.com (CDC). CDC sells Shoe Goo adhesive in various quantities to US based buyers. The owners of CDC, The BRC Group, contracted with me to create the ETL function, OLAP cube and reports in an effort to maximize gross income for ColoradoDirtCheap. Included is a final analysis and future performance recommendations.

Microsoft technologies used in this analysis:• Management Studio T-SQL• SQL Server MDX• SQL Server Integration Services• SQL Server Analysis Services• SQL Server Reporting Services• Excel

Audience:The BRC Group

Project Summary

• Design Staging Database using a Star Schema • Create a SQL create table script in Management Studio• Create an ETL solution using SSIS to update the staging database from CSV files• Load an OLAP cube using SSAS• Define Calculated Members and Named Sets• Design KPI’s displaying status and trends• Write MDX code to satisfy specifications• Produce reports using SSRS• Create KPI’s using Excel• Present reports using Microsoft Report Server• Prepare final analysis and future performance recommendations

Project SummaryProject Goals

T-SQL Code SampleBusiness DescriptionColorado Dirt Cheap.com (CDC)

The BRC Group sells Shoe Goo brand adhesive to domestic customers only via Ebay as its sole outlet. Inventory consists of 3.7 ounce quantities of private label branded Ti-Grrrip tubes . At the outset of this analysis 3 listing types were available from CDC: 1 tube, 2 tube and 3 tube listings. During the process and after preliminary results it was decided to add a 4th listing type of 10 tubes. More details concerning this decision will be covered in the final analysis.

All listings have a duration of one week and are auction style with a Buy-It-Now option. Policy has been to immediately post a new listing, of the same type, in the event a bid is received on any listing type except for 10 tube listings. Data sources are CSV files from both Ebay and PayPal. Both files are downloaded monthly with a cutoff date of the 15th.

The primary company goal is to maximize gross sales even at the expense of profit per tube. The following page is a screen shot of the Ebay listing currently available from CDC.

T-SQL Code SampleEbay Shoe Goo Listings

Visio design exampleT-SQL script used for the creation of Dimension and Fact Tables

Extract, Transform and Load

SQL Server Integration ServicesSSIS Control Flow Master Package including database backup

SQL Server Integration Services

SQL Server Integration ServicesSSIS package used to load new monthly data into the Staging Database


SQL Server Integration ServicesData Conversion Transformation from CSV file


SQL Server Integration ServicesLookup Transformation using SQL results query to identify Ebay fees associated with failed listings


SQL Server Analysis ServicesSQL Server Integration ServicesPackage used to load the Ebay Fact Table

SQL Server Analysis ServicesSSAS Data Source Structure – various fields were added after cube creation by changing the DSV

SQL Server Analysis Services

SQL Server Analysis ServicesCube Dimensions


SSAS KPI and Trend IndicatorsCalculated Members and Named sets - the Parallel Period MDX function was a valuable analysis tool


MDX samplesKPI and Trend analysis were created for both Profit Percentage and Sales Growth among others


MDX samplesA Named Set was created to exclude obsolete Gallery Fees charged by Ebay


MDX samplesPrevious Year and Month Calculated Members are very useful tools for tracking sales performance


SQL Server Reporting ServicesSSRS reports were created with a consistent look and feel

SQL Server Reporting Services

SQL Server Reporting ServicesGraphs use both Multi Select Parameters as well as Single Select


SQL Server Reporting ServicesParameter results are presented in the header of each report


Performance Point ServerMDX code used to restrict the number of periods presented for each report


Performance Point ServerMDX code used to account for the mid-month cutoff – LastChild.PrevMember functions


Performance Point ServerSSRS reports Deploy to Microsoft Reporting Services and are Scheduled for monthly distribution


Performance Point ServerReports are distributed using the Adobe format


Performance Point ServerKPI and Trend analysis is Distributed to Excel


SharePoint ServerGraphs were also distributed to Excel for management analysis use


• Reports and Graphs are distributed monthly and were designed to emphasize sales growth• 10 tube listings were started in late 2009 in response to customer demand• Since gross sales were primary goal for management 10 tube listings maximized sales • Sales growth for the first 3 quarters of 2009 averaged 13%• Sales growth for the 4th quarter of 2009 was 38.3%• Reports can be run for all listing types due to extensive use of parameters• Analysis by listing type will enable management to refine future listings in order to meet the

primary goal of maximizing gross sales

Final Analysis

Documents

Ebay OLAP Cube