By: Jan Pieter Posthuma on July, 30 2011

Last November I wrote about the future of SSAS and BISM (see here for the original post). Now with the release of CTP3 of SQL Server codenamed ‘Denali’ (download here), the new BISM and the two different modes are open to the public so I can take a look if my thoughts are still valid.

First take a look at what Microsoft gave to us with the release of the CTP3. Analysis Service can now run in two modes: the ‘old’ UDM mode, now called Multidimensional mode and the new VertiPaq mode, called Tabular mode. A good overview is given in the blogpost by TK Anand. Basically the two modes can perfect live side by sides in a corporate environment.