SQLSaturday #191 - Kansas City 2013
Event Date: 09/14/2013 00:00:00
Event Location:
- Cerner Corporation’s Riverport Campus
- 6711 NE Birmingham Rd
- Kansas City, Missouri
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Sessions
This is a list of sessions from the event, based on the schedule in the XML files.
Title: Loading the Windows Azure Cloud
Abstract:
Windows Azure provides many options for storing data. SQL Azure is one of Windows Azure’s solutions for working with relational data. If you are familiar with SQL Server, SQL Azure will be a natural extension of your knowledge and skills.
In this session, we will look at the different options for loading data to the Cloud from an on premise SQL server and vice versa. Topics we will cover include:
1) SQL Azure Data Sync - Migrate data from an existing on-premise SQL Server database to SQL Azure and bi-directional data synchronization and data management capabilities allowing data to be easily shared across SQL Azure databases across multiple data centers.
2) BACPAC – Importing and Exporting the BACPAC
3) CDC - loading the Data to cloud by capturing the incremental Changes at ON-Premise (SSIS)
4) Finally, we will query the System Views for the data movement.
What you will learn:
• Overview of SQL Azure
• SQL Azure Data Sync
• BACPAC
• Incremental Load to Cloud
Speaker(s):
- Andy Thiru
Track and Room: Developer 1 - N/A
Title: Pivoting Performance Data Pinpointing Problems
Abstract: Have you ever been wrought with end user complaints of database performance issues only to open your tools that show only live performance or limited historical performance and find no answers? After being bit by this many times, I developed my own eye in the sky to monitor CPU Physical IO at the database, user and application levels. This solution logs data continuously and parses it into an Analysis Services cube which can be queried by Excel. No need to requisition funds for 3rd party tools. You can do this with the tools you have and I’ll give you the scripts to get started. Using these tools I have been able to find needles in haystacks and effectively communicate the nature of the problems to people at all levels.
Speaker(s):
- Brian Flynn
Track and Room: Mixed use - N/A
Title: From Minutes to Milliseconds: High-Performance SSRS Tuning
Abstract: Even though you’re an experienced report developer or administrator, performance tuning for SQL Server Reporting Services still feels as bewildering and hopeless as folding a fitted bed sheet. You’ve made your data sets smaller and timeouts longer, but it’s not enough to remove the slowness dragging down your reporting environment.
In this session, you’ll learn how design and configuration choices put pressure on your report server and techniques to relieve that pressure. You’ll see how to configure your Reporting Services databases for speed, houseclean your subscription schedules, and use caching for high-demand reports. You’ll also learn some design strategies to lighten your report processing load. If you want to maximize the speed of your Reporting Services environment and minimize the pain of performance tuning, this session is for you.
Speaker(s):
- Doug Lane
Track and Room: BI 1 - N/A
Title: (SQL,SSIS,MDS) Adv Fuzzy Matching Roll Your Own
Abstract: Fuzzy Matching, Similarity Matching or Record Linkage is the most critical and least understood process in any Data Warehouse, BI, Integration, Big Data , Data Quality, MDM , Social Network or integrating crap effort. Over at LinkedIn there is Group run by Henrik Liliendahl Sorensen for Data Matching, Bill Winkler, principal researcher at the US Census” has written a series of white papers on record linkage and particular a technique called “Blocking Indexs”. In addition we wil cover William Cohen Research Professor, Machine Learning Department, Carnegie Mellon University white papers an implementations. Presented will be our collection of “real world” examples(Code) and you will leave a master of record linkage and the concepts behind it
Speaker(s):
- Ira Warren
Track and Room: Developer 1 - N/A
Title: Don’t Miss Out on Excel Cube Functions
Abstract: Cube functions have existed since Excel 2007, but they’re not as well known nor as well publicized as other methods to obtain data from Analysis Services/PowerPivot sources. Business Analysts may feel confined to tabular (symmetrical) reports with pivot tables. BI Developers may avoid Excel because they want the ability to write calculations in MDX and the extensive formatting capabilities of Reporting Services. And Power View limits you to the sets, calculations, and captions available in the data source and doesn’t provide drillthrough detail. We’ll start with the basics of how to write and use cube functions, then employ them to build a nicely formatted, asymmetrical, parameter-driven report that overcomes the previously noted limitation
Speaker(s):
- Meagan Longoria
Track and Room: BI 1 - N/A
Title: Proactively+Automagically Manage your SQL footprin
Abstract: As a DBA I think it’s essential to stay proactive and ahead of the game. Using SSIS, SSRS, and a little bit of creativity I cut down the amount of time spent firefighting and come to meetings with quantitative answers for questions like:
- How can we do Capacity Planning based on actual data growth trends?
- How many databases out there have missing indexes, and what are the indexes?
- Are you 100% certain your databases are backed up, even if you haven’t seen any failure alerts come through?
- Developers’ application logs report that SQL sessions were timing out a couple days ago. What was going on in SQL at that time?
- What databases are set to Autogrow in too small of increments (and/or growing too frequently)?
In
Speaker(s):
- Mark Marinovic
Track and Room: DBA 2 - N/A
Title: What SQL DBAs need to know about SharePoint
Abstract: With the number of deployments of SharePoint exponentially growing every day, as a DBA, it is very likely you are going to have SharePoint databases on SQL Servers you support. This session reviews SharePoint strictly from the SQL Server perspective. You will learn how SharePoint is optimized for SQL, how to properly manage and maintain the SharePoint databases, how to optimize the SQL configuration for SharePoint, what settings in SharePoint need to be changed or not changed to maintain SQL Server performance, supported methods for providing high availability and disaster recovery, and the part SharePoint and SQL each play in the Microsoft Business Intelligence story.
Speaker(s):
- JD Wade
Track and Room: Mixed use - N/A
Title: Capture Change and Apply it With Change Data Capture SSIS
Abstract: Whether you are trying to setup a new data warehouse, keep it updated, audit changes to your databases or quickly load changes to another database Change Data Capture (CDC) is a solution for all of these and can now be setup and supported easily with SQL Server SSIS 2012! Change Data Capture (CDC) has been around since SQL Server 2008, but has been underused because it was difficult to fully implement. SSIS 2012 now provides support for CDC with new components that make consuming the captured data very easy to apply. This session will define what CDC is and with live demos show how it is setup on your databases. Once it has been setup then you need to consume and apply those changes, this will be demonstrated with live demos using SSIS 2012 to create packages that apply the changes.
Speaker(s):
- Steve Wake
Track and Room: Developer 1 - N/A
Title: Getting Started with Execution Plans
Abstract: You just received a phone call from your boss telling you that a certain web page or report is timing out and your users are furious. You need to quickly diagnose what the problem is. Where do you turn to first? When a query is underperforming, hogging resources or timing out, the first thing you want to examine is the query execution plan. An execution plan provides a wealth of information that can help you quickly diagnose what is wrong. In this beginner level session you will learn what an execution plan is, how to find it, and how to interpret it to see what the query optimizer is doing and find the major pain points
Speaker(s):
- Jason Kassay
Track and Room: DBA 2 - N/A
Title: Yesterday I Couldn’t Even Spell ‘DBA’.
Abstract: Referred to as “DBA by Default” or “Reluctant DBA”, many people are faced with the situation of suddenly becoming a SQL Server database administrator. Once the initial shock passes they realize that they need help. The abundance of SQL Server books and websites that exist, some good and some not so good, might only increase confusion leading to panic and rash decisions. DON’T PANIC! In this session we will cover ways to address basic problems and offer some suggestions for finding good places to find help.
Speaker(s):
- Larry Toothman
Track and Room: Mixed use - N/A
Title: XQuery Basics for the DBA
Abstract: For the past few years, XML has been making its way more and more into our SQL Server instances. For a moment let’s forget that developers often find the need to store XML data in their databases. Outside of those databases, XML has already invaded our SQL Servers. It’s made its way into execution plans with the SHOWPLAN XML. It’s telling us about deadlock through deadlock graphs. It’s also presented to us through service broke, event notifications, and extended events. XML is there and we need to learn how to query it. In this session, we’ll explore some of the basic methods for querying XML through XQuery. By the end of the session you’ll be equipped with the tools and understanding needed to ease yourself into XQuery.
Speaker(s):
- Jason Strate
Track and Room: DBA 2 - N/A
Title: New T-SQL features in SQL Server 2012
Abstract: SQL Server 2012 has many new T-SQL features and enhancements that will simplify your code and life. We’ll roll up our sleeves and dive in head first to take a look at some of the new features such as the Sequence object, Date and Time functions, Analytic functions, etc.
Speaker(s):
- Marc Beacom
Track and Room: Developer 1 - N/A
Title: The Hierarchy of Monitoring Needs: A Methodology
Abstract: When it comes to the servers in your environment, do you feel alone, afraid, and in the dark ? If we want to know if our servers are healthy, where do we start? It’s very easy to feel lost or overwhelmed when you have hundreds, if not thousands, of metrics you can monitor in SQL Server. The Hierarchy of Monitoring Needs provides a clear roadmap for designing your monitoring strategy. This session will review monitoring from a high level, helping you develop a plan from the ground up by addressing critical metrics, business needs, and your overall strategic goals.
Speaker(s):
- Michael Fal
Track and Room: DBA 1 - N/A
Title: Data Vault Data Warehouse Architecture
Abstract: Data vault is a compelling architecture for an enterprise data warehouse using SQL Server 2012. A well designed data vault data warehouse facilitates fast, efficient and maintainable data integration across business systems. In this session I will review the basics about enterprise data warehouse design, introduce you to the data vault architecture and discuss how you can leverage new features of SQL Server 2012 help make your data warehouse solution provide maximum value to your users.
Speaker(s):
- Jeff Renz
Track and Room: BI 1 - N/A
Title: Beginning Powershell for DBAs 1.0
Abstract: The time has come where DBAs can no longer afford to ignore powershell. Not only has it become an integral part of SQL Server, but we’re being asked to do things on a much grander scale than ever before; things that can only be done with powershell. This session will take you from nothing and explain what powershell is all about. I’m going to show you how the more things change the more they stay the same and if you master the basics of powershell in this session, you’ll be able to work with powershell not only in SQL Server, but also at the file system level, in Exchange, IIS, Windows, and anything else. So in this session I’m going to show you the basics you need to get your powershell career started.
Speaker(s):
- Sean McCown
Track and Room: DBA 2 - N/A
Title: What Are You Waiting For?
Abstract: You’ve spent the afternoon sweating over your T-SQL query. You’ve wrung out all of the wrinkles. It’s deployed, it’s running… now its waiting. In SQL Server the most performant query can become a problem query if there aren’t any resources in the SQL Server for it to use. In this session, we’ll look at wait statistics and what they are. We’ll look into how they are accumulated and how they can be monitored. By the end of the session, you’ll be equipped with the tools needed to determine if there are resource issues in your environment and methods to start mitigating them.
Speaker(s):
- Jason Strate
Track and Room: DBA 1 - N/A
Title: Something Fishy With Power Query
Abstract: The public preview of Power Query and the Power BI suite is in full swing. This session will introduce the basics of Power Query and explore how it can help solve a problem common to many organizations.
Speaker(s):
- Levi Syck
Track and Room: BI 1 - N/A
Title: Introduction to Execution Plans
Abstract: Ever wonder what happens when a query is processed? Got a process that is running slow at the office and your boss in looking at you for answers? Want to look like a hero to your boss for fixing something that no one else could figure out? Then you might want to consider this session. Execution plans tell you what steps were taken to generate the results sets you did. In analyzing these plans, you can figure out what you are doing that is not efficient, so you can fix it. This session will give you the foundation you will need to do analysis so you can write better code and help your company with their performance issues.
Speaker(s):
- Nathan Heaivilin
Track and Room: DBA 2 - N/A
Title: Dimensional Modeling for the Everyday DBA
Abstract: This session will work to relieve the skepticism and mysticism around dimensional modeling. If, like me, you’ve grown up in IT with normalization hammered into your head we’ll walk through why in large data warehouses and cubes you need to think differently. You’ll learn the basic terminology of dimensional modeling and you’ll learn where it all started and where it is going. By the end of the session you’ll learn to accept denormalization as the solution to some very specific problems.
Speaker(s):
- Scott Shaw
Track and Room: DBA 2 - N/A
Title: Introduction to BIML and BIMLScript
Abstract: Microsoft has provided some great tools for creating and editing SSIS packages. First Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) then SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT). However, when creating an SSIS package you frequently repeat the same steps over and over. BIML is an XML markup language designed for representing the structure of an SSIS package. BIML Script takes that structure and generates an SSIS package.In this session we will use BIDS Helper to create a simple SSIS package using BIML. We will handle a couple SSIS scenarios with BIML and BIML Script.
Speaker(s):
- Russel Loski
Track and Room: Developer 1 - N/A
Title: Type More, Click Less: Programmatically build SSI
Abstract: Developing repetitive strain injury (RSI) from all those mouse clicks in Business Intelligence Development Studio/SQL Server Data Tools? Longing to automate the tedium in SQL Server Integration Services package creation? In this session, we’ll explore the Integration Services object model and learn how to create rich packages without ever clicking our mouse. You’ll learn about the basic object model, the EzAPI wrapper for it, as well as using BIMLScript to build moderately complex packages.
Speaker(s):
- Bill Fellows
Track and Room: Developer 2 - N/A
Title: Sql Server: Now 25% Faster
Abstract: Are you getting the most performance out of your hardware configuration? This session will cover the best tips and tricks that you’ve never heard of to improve performance. We’ll cover server configuration, disk layout, and Sql Server settings. If you aren’t following these best practices, I’ll guarantee a 25% increase in performance, or your money back!
Speaker(s):
- Tristan Wilson
Track and Room: DBA 1 - N/A
Title: Designing for Concurrency and Asynchronous Processing
Abstract: In modern applications supporting hundreds or thousands of users (or devices), concurrency or code that doesn’t block is more important than raw, blazing speed. This presentation will start with approaches to write more concurrent transactions. It will cover strategies to process data asynchronously and methods to maintain read-only reporting databases. Technologies covered will include T-SQL, isolation levels, Change Tracking and Change Data Capture, Service Broker, replication, database mirroring and Availability Groups.
Speaker(s):
- Bill Graziano
Track and Room: Developer 2 - N/A
Title: SSRS Development and Administration Basics
Abstract: Many SQL Server people may support Reporting Services administratively, but may not know how a report is actually developed - or vice versa. This session will outline some fundamentals of SQL Server Reporting Services, as well as walk through the development of a parameterized report from end to end.
Speaker(s):
- Travis Whitley
Track and Room: Mixed use - N/A
Title: Dimension Modeling Design Patterns: Beyond Basics
Abstract: This session will provide a deeper dive into the art of dimensional modeling. We will look at the different types of fact tables and dimension tables, how and when to use them. We will also some approaches to creating rich hierarchies that make reporting a snap. This session promises to be very interactive and engaging, bring your toughest Dimensional Modeling quandaries.
Speaker(s):
- Jason Horner
Track and Room: BI 1 - N/A
Title: Pyramid Analytics - making your cube look good
Abstract: Presenting BI in a sophisticated look that is both user friendly and easy to use can be challenging. Pyramid Analytics is another option for helping create and customize the look and feel of how you look at your data. Join us as we step through this tool and look at advantages it might bring to your enviornment. We will demo the dashboard and customizable UI in this slick tool.
Speaker(s):
- Leslie Weed
Track and Room: BI 1 - N/A
Title: Navigating the Options for Data Redundancy
Abstract: SQL Server has so many options for data redundancy, how do you know when you should use replication, or log shipping or AlwaysOn, etc? We will use real world examples where data redundancy is needed and discuss which is the appropriate technology and why. This is more than just a high availability vs disaster recovery discussion. If you have ever been confused or overwhelmed by all of the options, they will be broken down and made clear in this session.
Speaker(s):
- Wendy Pastrick
Track and Room: DBA 1 - N/A
Title: Squeezing Performance from Virtualized SQL Server
Abstract: Sure, your SQL Server is up and running. Anyone can click through a SQL Server install nowadays. But… is it running at its peak potential? Do you have your virtualization environment configured properly? Have you measured the performance lately? Your business-critical SQL Server performance does not have to suffer just because it was virtualized. Very specific virtualization and SQL Server tuning tips and tricks from David Klee (@kleegeek) will be presented in this session.
Speaker(s):
- David Klee
Track and Room: DBA 1 - N/A
Title: Sharing SQL Data in SharePoint
Abstract: Microsoft SharePoint is a collaboration software that provides a web based portal for business intelligence, content management and document sharing. In this session get an overview of the basics of sharing a SQL table as a ‘List’ using Sharepoint and SSIS. Next we move on to fun stuff of integrating SQL Server Reporting Services integration. Finally we look at how to give users dynamic PowerPivot analysis in a dashboard.
Speaker(s):
- Allen Smith
Track and Room: Developer 2 - N/A
Title: Extend Your Knowledge with Extended Events!
Abstract: SQL Server Extended Events can be used to gather a wide range of performance information, and in troubleshooting in SQL Server. Extended Events use less system resources and provide better information than SQL Profiler and they allow for correlation of SQL Server event data along side of OS or Application event data. This presentation will explore what Extended Events are, how to set them up and use them in several case studies.
Speaker(s):
- Janis Griffin
Track and Room: DBA 1 - N/A
Title: SSIS Configurations Vs. Parameters
Abstract: In this session, we review configurations in SQL 2008R2 and 2012. The 2008R2 options allowed dynamic configuration across environments. SSIS 2012 adds new dynamic options, including Parameters, Expressions and Variables. This upgrade takes SSIS from simply confusing to downright confounding. We will simplify these options so anyone with basic SSIS experience can follow along.
Speaker(s):
- Allen Smith
Track and Room: Developer 1 - N/A
Title: $#*! Your Database Says About Me
Abstract: Does your data sit around mocking your best attempts to support good data practices? Databases are also bound by the GIGO rule: Garbage In is Garbage Out. In this presentation, Karen shows you examples of the types of mistakes, misunderstandings and outright cheats that lead to poor data quality, mistrust in IT systems and overall smelliness in our IT solutions. Using real-life evidence of her own data in your systems.
Speaker(s):
- Karen Lopez
Track and Room: Mixed use - N/A
Title: T-SQL 2012 Analytic Functions
Abstract: Learn how the new analytic functions introduced with SQL Server 2012 can take your T-SQL skills to the next level! Solve complicated requirements with better performing and easier to write queries.
Speaker(s):
- Kathi Kellenberger
Track and Room: Developer 2 - N/A
Title: Women in Tech Panel
Abstract: This session, modeled after the popular PASS WIT Luncheons, will be a lively discussion about issues affecting women – and men – in tech. Everyone welcome to this very interactive session.
Speaker(s):
- Kathi Kellenberger
Track and Room: DBA 1 - N/A
Title: What secrets does your database schema hold?
Abstract: Flaws in database design can hurt you in many ways. This session will look into one of the most basic building blocks, using the correct data type when designing a table. We will look at different databases with best practices in mind to uncover any underlying design flaws in their design. Having a solid foundation can help eliminate data integrity and performance issues that could be lurking. Inconsistent field lengths and data types are examples of secrets that will be unveiled.
Speaker(s):
- Andre DuBois
Track and Room: Developer 2 - N/A
Title: T-SQL: Simple Changes That Go a Long Way
Abstract: Writing TSQL that performs well requires knowledge beyond proper syntax, sometimes it requires more than just knowing TSQL, and sometimes it takes a bit of rework and ingenuity. There are simple things that you will learn in this session that will improve the performance of your queries. Learn about indexing techniques and reading execution plans to see if the optimizer is using the index. Performance isn’t everything though. There are small things you can do to make your TSQL more maintainable too. We will dive into a few TSQL tricks with Common Table Expressions, Table-Valued Parameters, and COALESCE.
Speaker(s):
- David Valentine
Track and Room: Developer 2 - N/A
Speakers
This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.
Steve Wake
Twitter: - stevewake
LinkedIn: Steve Wake
Contact: http://blog.wakebi.com
Steve Wake is currently the Principal BI Developer at Brown and Caldwell and has experience in consulting, advertising, media, manufacturing, retail, charities, telecommunications and financial services organizations using the full on-premises Microsoft BI stack. Recent experience with the Azure services: Analysis Services, Logic Apps, Data Factory, Databricks, Snowflake and Power BI. Steve is also very involved in the SQL community, speaking at events around the world.
David Klee
Twitter: - kleegeek
LinkedIn: David Klee
Contact: http://davidklee.net
David Klee is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and VMware vExpert with a lifelong passion for technology. David spends his days focusing on the convergence of data and infrastructure as the Founder of Heraflux Technologies. His areas of expertise include cloud, virtualization, performance, and business continuity. David speaks at a number of national and regional technology related events, including PASS Summit, VMware VMworld, SQLBits, SQLSaturday events, and many SQL Server User Groups.
Leslie Weed
Leslie Weed is currently a Consultant with RevGen Partners in Denver, CO. She has been working with SQL Server for over 13 years in various industries including manufacturing, finance and retail. Leslie strongly believes the best SQL goes hand in hand with a good cup o’ joe.
Kathi Kellenberger
Twitter: - auntkathi
LinkedIn: Kathi Kellenberger
Contact: http://auntkathisql.com
Kathi Kellenberger is the editor of Simple Talk at Redgate and a Data Platform MVP. She has worked with SQL Server for over 20 years and has authored, co-authored, or tech edited over a dozen technical books. Kathi is the co-leader of the PASS Women in Technology Virtual Group and a volunteer at LaunchCode. When Kathi isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cycling, singing, and climbing the stairs of tall buildings. Be sure to check out her courses on Pluralsight.
Karen Lopez
Twitter: - @datachick
LinkedIn: Karen Lopez
Contact: http://datamodel.com
Karen Lopez is a Sr. Project Manager and Architect for InfoAdvisors. A frequent speaker at conferences and local user groups, she has 20+ years of experience in project and data management on large, multi-project programs. Karen is a chronic volunteer, a Data Platform MVP, and an active advocate for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and data quality.
Karen’s presentations are known for their lively and interactive approach to learning. Her motto: “Love Your Data!”
Bill Graziano
Contact: http://scalsql.com/
Bill Graziano is a SQL Server consultant specializing in high-throughput transaction environments using SQL Server. He spends his days counting the milliseconds behind credit card swipes. Bill is the former President of PASS and runs a web site for SQL Server developers and administrators at SQLTeam.com.
Kathi Kellenberger
Twitter: - auntkathi
LinkedIn: Kathi Kellenberger
Contact: http://auntkathisql.com
Kathi Kellenberger is the editor of Simple Talk at Redgate and a Data Platform MVP. She has worked with SQL Server for over 20 years and has authored, co-authored, or tech edited over a dozen technical books. Kathi is the co-leader of the PASS Women in Technology Virtual Group and a volunteer at LaunchCode. When Kathi isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cycling, singing, and climbing the stairs of tall buildings. Be sure to check out her courses on Pluralsight.
Marc Beacom
Contact: http://dawabi.com/blog.aspx
Marc Beacom is President of DawaBI, a Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence Consultancy firm focusing on Making Data-Driven Decisions Possible. He has been working with SQL Server for over a decade delivering scalable solutions for organizations of all sizes. He has earned several industry certifications and degrees. Marc is an active member of the community and has volunteered for many organizations such as PASS, Denver SQL, Colorado GiveCamp, Camp To Belong, to name a few.
Russel Loski
Twitter: - sqlmovers
LinkedIn: Russel Loski
Contact: http://www.sqlmovers.com
Russ Loski is a SQL Server BI Developer based in Dallas-Fort Worth. He current works as a Data Analytics Engineer for Navisite, a remote managed IT services company. Twenty years ago, he began working with SQL Server 6.5. He has since continued to develop applications connected to all of the versions of SQL Server. He has worked with clients in industries from insurance to healthcare, from movie theaters to American football. Russ is a regular speaker at SQLSaturday events, as well as the SQL Server Users Groups in the North Texas region. Russ likes working with data in various shapes.
Andre DuBois
Twitter: - @MtnDBA
Contact: http://MtnDBA.wordpress.com
Andre has been in the IT industry for over 25 years in various positions with the majority working as database administrator, designer and programmer. His experience has been in the financial, travel and education industries.
Jason Kassay
Twitter: - @jasonkassay
LinkedIn: Jason Kassay
Contact: http://www.JasonKassay.com
Jason Kassay is a database administrator, software engineer amp; speaker from Colorado with over 12 years of experience. He is passionate about SQL Server, programming, release process, automation amp; performance tuning. Jason is an active member of the SQL Server community amp; volunteers/presents at events such as Colorado User Groups, SQLSaturday amp; Colorado GiveCamp. When not tuning databases or coding, Jason will most likely be found spending time with his family, playing hockey or running.
Tristan Wilson
Tristan is a Kansas City local and currently a database administrator at Datapipe managed hosting. He#39;s worked with all versions of Sql Server starting with 2000 including reporting services. He also has experience with Oracle, DB2, and MySql. Tristan is a returning speaker from previous SQLSaturdays and also the Kansas City Sql Server users group.
David Valentine
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/IngeniousSQL
LinkedIn: David Valentine
Contact: http://www.ingenioussql.com
Dave Valentine is a Development DBA with over 15 years of experience with SQL Server and development technologies, specializing in Business Intelligence and ingenious solutions. Dave has also been an Adjunct Professor at Metropolitan State University for the past 15 years educating students in Database Management and Application Development. Dave started giving back to the SQL community a few years ago by presenting at Local PASS Chapters, SQLSaturday Events, and blogging at IngeniousSQL.com.
Sean McCown
Twitter: - @KenpoDBA
Contact: http://www.midnightdba.com/dbarant
Sean McCown is a Certified Master with 23 years of experience in databases. He is also founder and co-owner of the MidnightDBA.com website, where he records free SQL Server training videos. He also writes the popular Minion Maintenance suite, the most configurable maintenance solution on the planet.
Mark Marinovic
LinkedIn: Mark Marinovic
I’ve been in IT for 15 years, the last 11 spent as a SQL Server DBA. I’ve worked in Financial Services, Management Consulting, and the Architecture/Engineering industries. My true passion is all things data - creating solutions that solve business problems, both for myself and for the clients I serve. The most rewarding part of my career is when clients tell me I’ve made a difference in their daily lives. I enjoy a challenge, and one of my favorite phrases to hear is “that can’t be done”.
Jeff Renz
Twitter: - jeff_renz
LinkedIn: Jeff Renz
Contact: http://www.revgen.com
Jeff Renz is a Senior Architect at RevGen Partners, currently working as the design architect and implementation lead on several projects for a Fortune Top 50 company. Jeff has worked with SQL Server and BI for 15+ years and has 10 years’ experience with data warehouse design and implementation. In addition to consulting, he is joining the University of Denver adjunct faculty and is expected to begin teaching in the ICT program starting in June. He received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, his master’s degree in Operations Research from Colorado School of Mines, and will be graduating from the Harvard Business Analytics Program in December.
Travis Whitley
Contact: http://www.oakwoodinsights.com
Travis has worked with databases since 2002 and is a Sr. SQL Server consultant at Oakwood Systems Group in St. Louis. He has had the honor of presenting at past SQLSaturday events and at the Greater Midwest SQL Relay in St. Louis.
Levi Syck
Contact: http://www.blue-granite.com/
Levi Syck is a BI Consultant with Blue Granite. By day, he develops solutions in SQL Server and Integration Services for data warehouses and analytic applications. By night, he obsesses over ways to merge his love of technology and the outdoors into something interesting and useful.
Scott Shaw
Contact: http://www.dbaexperience.com
Scott Shaw is the co-author of two T-SQL books through Apress publishing. He is a frequent speaker at community events and most recently spoke at the 2013 SQL PASS Summit. He is co-chair of the SQL PASS Virtual Chapter on Virtualization and teaches classes at both Washington University CAIT program and Saint Louis University. Scott lives in Saint Louis with his wife and 2 children. He is a Principal Consultant for Oakwood Systems Group.
Meagan Longoria
Twitter: - mmarie
LinkedIn: Meagan Longoria
Contact: http://datasavvy.me
Meagan Longoria is a business intelligence consultant with Denny Cherry Associates, and lives in Denver, Colorado. She is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP. Meagan spends a lot of time thinking about how to use data integration, DAX, and data visualization techniques to make data useful for people. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences at conferences and user group meetings, as well as through her blog (DataSavvy.me).
Michael Fal
Twitter: - @Mike_Fal
LinkedIn: Michael Fal
Contact: http://mikefal.net
Mike is a specialist in data management technologies. As a community advocate, public speaker, and blogger, Mike is a practicing thought leader for data and automation. He is passionate about DevOps and data, building platforms to optimize, protect, and use data efficiently.
Since 1999, Mike has been working in the database field, focusing primarily on SQL Server and specializes in automating data solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of his environments. He has been caught playing trombone in public on more than one occasion.
Allen Smith
Contact: http://www.cognitiveinfo.com
Allen Smith is a business intelligence and data warehouse builder, speaker and trainer. Allen has an MBA in Computer Sciences and has worked in database services and data warehousing since 1998. Allen has a MCTS certification in Business Intelligence. Allen is a Sr. Business Intelligence Lead at Devon Energy. He enjoys sushi, traveling to obscure places, fixing Rubik’s cubes and prefers Marvel over DC.
Janis Griffin
Twitter: - DoBoutAnything
LinkedIn: Janis Griffin
Janis Griffin has over 30 years of DBA/database experience including design, development and implementation of many critical database applications. Before coming to Quest Software, Janis primarily worked in the Telecom/Network Industry, working with both real-time network routing databases and OLTP business to business applications. Janis also held positions as a Principal Architect and Senior Manager, mentoring other DBAs on best practices in database performance tuning.
Nathan Heaivilin
Just a DBA who wants to give back to the community who gave so much to me.
Bill Fellows
Twitter: - @billinkc
LinkedIn: Bill Fellows
Contact: http://blog.billfellows.net
Bill Fellows is a SQL Server MVP and has been a database developer for most of his career, with the past 15 years focused on ETL. He is the organizer of Kansas City’s eight SQLSaturdays and a speaker at many other SQLSaturdays, User Groups and the PASS Summit. Bill is the owner of Sterling Data Consulting where he gets to solve interesting data problems.
Jason Horner
Twitter: - jasonhorner
LinkedIn: Jason Horner
Contact: http://blog.jasonhorner.com
Hi, my name is Jason I’m a practice lead at Redapt. I spend most of my day helping clients solve business problems mostly in the Data and Advanced Analytics spaces. Sometimes this involves various and sundry cloud technologies including Azure Data Factory, Azure SQL Data Warehouse, Azure Data Lake Store, Azure Databricks, HDInsight and Azure SQL Database. I’m fluent in several languages including: SQL, C#, Python, and PowerShell.
I’m a Microsoft Certified Master of SQL Server (MCM) and have been recognized for my technical excellence and evangelism efforts by Microsoft by being awarded the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for the last 5+ years.
In my off hours I like to snowboard, karaoke, ride roller coasters, and play arcade games
Jason Strate
Twitter: - @stratesql
LinkedIn: Jason Strate
Contact: http://www.jasonstrate.com/
Jason Strate is a SQL Server Solutions Architect with Pragmatic Works. He is also a Microsoft SQL Server MVP and MCM. He has over 15 years of experience developing, architecting, and managing data platforms. Jason writes, blogs, and presents on SQL Server.
Doug Lane
Contact: http://www.douglane.net
Doug Lane (MCITP, MCTS) is a consultant with Brent Ozar Unlimited and has over 14 years’ experience with SQL Server. He blogs about SQL Server with emphasis on Reporting Services and professional development.
Jason Strate
Twitter: - @stratesql
LinkedIn: Jason Strate
Contact: http://www.jasonstrate.com/
Jason Strate is a SQL Server Solutions Architect with Pragmatic Works. He is also a Microsoft SQL Server MVP and MCM. He has over 15 years of experience developing, architecting, and managing data platforms. Jason writes, blogs, and presents on SQL Server.
JD Wade
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/jdwade
LinkedIn: JD Wade
Contact: http://wadingthrough.com
JD Wade has been providing solutions using various Microsoft products in the St. Louis area for over 18 years. J.D.’s expertise is the architecture, design, deployment, and troubleshooting of SharePoint and Microsoft Cloud solutions as well as interfacing with the surrounding technologies (directory services, e-mail, load balancers, DNS, SQL, WAN accelerators, etc.). J.D. has worked on the deployment of various corporate intranet, extranet, and public-facing web sites.
Larry Toothman
Contact: http://IowaTechBear.com
Larry has been a Database Administrator for a non-profit health system in Cedar Rapids, IA since late 2007. With over 20 years of software and database development experience, he was drafted to be the DBA in 1999 for a dev company. Amazed by the wide variety of people in the SQL Server community as well as the support from the “SQL Family” Larry is always looking for opportunities to pay it forward, spread the word mentoring.
Allen Smith
Contact: http://www.cognitiveinfo.com
Allen Smith is a business intelligence and data warehouse builder, speaker and trainer. Allen has an MBA in Computer Sciences and has worked in database services and data warehousing since 1998. Allen has a MCTS certification in Business Intelligence. Allen is a Sr. Business Intelligence Lead at Devon Energy. He enjoys sushi, traveling to obscure places, fixing Rubik’s cubes and prefers Marvel over DC.
Ira Warren
Over 35 years experiences in Software Sevelopemt, IT Management and BI Architecture.
Brian Flynn
Brian Flynn has a Computer Science and Math degree from Saint Louis University and has been working in IT for 20 years. He’s served in many roles, both technical and managerial. Brian encourages IT pros to diversify skillsets to build more comprehensive big picture understandings that businesses care about.
Wendy Pastrick
Twitter: - @wendy_dance
Contact: http://wendyverse.blogspot.com
Wendy Pastrick is from Chicago, IL, and for the past 15 years has served as a Database Administrator supporting both development and production environments. Her many years of involvement with PASS include WIT Virtual Chapter and the Chicago Suburban User Group, serving as Regional Mentor, and as a PASS Board member since 2013. Wendy has organized several highly successful SQLSaturday events in Chicago.
Andy Thiru
Andy aka Abhi has several years of BI experience including planning, design, development and implementation in business database applications. Andy has worked primarily as a consultant holding positions primarily in the Energy, Banking, Media and Consulting fields. He is currently working on Cloud development projects.
Sponsors
The following is a list of sponsors that helped fund the event: