required software needed by User to look at SSAS 2005 Cubes in Excel 2003

I am addressing what I consider to be somewhat of a problem. We have built some SSAS Cubes in SQL Server 2005. If I understand this correctly, if our Customer wants to slice and dice one of our Cubes inside his Excel Pivot Table he must:

1. Install XML Services (MSXML) 6.0 è (as a prerequisite to the 9.0 OLE DB Provider install)
2. Install Analysis Services 9.0 OLE DB Provider.

Of course, the above is in addition to the need to have MS Query installed. Also, the above premise assumes that the User/customer is not on the SQL Server box.

Is this true?

The requirement of XML Services is the surprise. Why is this needed for everyone?

Thanks in advance for your help in answering this question.

Mick B

Hello! Regarding point 1 and 2 all clients need this unless the users connect with a third party middleware like ProClarity Analytics. But then these users works with designed reports, Ad hoc conenctions directly to the cube will require 1 and 2.

The user needs to belong to a group or account with permissions on the server running SSAS2005(Analysis Services). It has nothing to do with SQL Server 2005 database permissions.

SSAS2005 uses XMLA for communication and that is why, I guess, that you will need MSXML 6.0 .

HTH

Thomas Ivarsson

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Thanks Tom. I was looking for that confirmation. I am envisioning one or more Finance User running our Cost Cubes with Pivot Tables. They have to have all this additional software installed before they can use the Cubes.

As a developer I had everything on my SQL Server box so it did not hit me that Users would not have what they need. The Excel add-in was obvious.

Again, I appreciate your response.

Mick