Craig Baker

Background

About Craig Baker

I love analytics. I’ve handled every stage from collection to presentation: administered and developed OLAP and OLTP systems in every version of SQL Server from 7 to Azure Data Warehouse, built ETL solutions using DTS, SSIS, and Data Factory, created models (formerly known as cubes) in SSAS and Azure Analysis Services, and designed visualizations in Excel, Crystal, SSRS, and PowerBI. Now I’m starting to work with AML and incorporating R into my daily work. Obviously, I like Microsoft tools, but I’ve also worked with Informix, DB2, MySQL, Postgres, and various other database systems long since forgotten (remember FoxPro?) I’ve used Tableau, QlikView, and other visualization tools. I’ve managed, designed, and reengineered every phase of the BI lifecycle from collection and cleaning to processing and storage, from discovery and analysis to monitoring and presentation. My favorite stage is always the one I’m working on. My experience goes far beyond analytics, though. I’ve developed web and desktop apps in VB and C#, managed integration and conversion projects, designed serverless systems, handled cloud administration, and managed operations. I enjoy managing teams, mentoring employees, helping the business improve their processes, and sharing what I’ve learned with my coworkers. But in the end, everything I’ve learned always informs my next analytics project.