Difference between SQL Server Analysis Services database vs Azure Analysis Services database (Beta)?

[SQLbyoBI]

Just noticed the "Azure Analysis Services database (Beta)" option in GetData and wondering if there is any current (or planned) benefit to using that option over the more common "SQL Server Analysis Services database"...

[Anonymous]

@SQLbyoBI,

Azure Analysis Services is compatible with many great features already in SQL Server Analysis Services Enterprise Edition. Azure Analysis Services supports tabular models at the 1200 and 1400 compatibility levels. You can review the following article to get more details about Azure Analysis Services.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/analysis-services/analysis-services-overview


Regards,
Lydia

[SQLbyoBI]

Hi @Anonymous - my (poorly worded) question pertains to the capabilities between the SSAS vs Azure AS "connectors"... in the screenshot there are 2 connectors - both can be used to connect to an Azure AS instance. Does it matter which one I use? What's teh difference? 

[Greg_Deckler]

I think that it is similar to SharePoint List versus SharePoint Online List or SQL Database vs. Azure SQL Database. My impression of these is that they exist for a reason and are not just the same thing packaged under two different names. This may or may not be true. Do I know specifically what the underlying differences are? No, but I assume that the Azure/cloud based ones are optimized for those data sources in some way, shape or manner.

[Greg_Deckler]

The Azure one is for when you are using the Azure Analysis Services service in Azure instead of a Analysis Services on a SQL Server machine.

[SQLbyoBI]

Hi @Greg_Deckler ... from basic testing, both connectors can be used to connect to Azure Analysis Services. My question (which may have been poorly wordered in retrospect) is if there is anything to gain using the AzureAS-specific (Beta/Preview) connector when connecting to an Azure AS instance...