SQLSaturday #547 - Columbus, GA 2016

Event Date: 08/27/2016 00:00:00

Event Location:

Troy University Riverfront Campus
1510 3rd Ave
Phenix City, Alabama

This event has completed. All data shown below is from the historical XML public data available.

Sessions
Speakers
Sponsors

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Sessions

This is a list of sessions from the event, based on the schedule in the XML files.

Title: Azure, PowerShell, and SQL Server Virtual Machines

Abstract: While the web portal makes it easy to deploy SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, there are a number of benefits to using PowerShell to do the job. This session will introduce Azure PowerShell command-lets and how to create a basic Azure infrastructure to support a SQL Server VM. We’ll include the Azure Resource Manager, how to use ARM VM templates and Custom Script Extension, and how users can modify an existing Azure Gallery template. Desired State Configuration (DSC) will be covered to complete the Azure Powershell automation toolkit, allowing attendees to automate the deployment of dozens or more SQL Server virtual machines. Finally, we will configure Availability Groups and explain their eccentricities in the Azure environment as well as how to make them work effectively.

Speaker(s):

Rob Volk

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - ROOM4

Title: Pragmatic Power BI: Working with Data Sources

Abstract: Power BI (either Desktop or the service) supports a wide (and growing) range of data sources. From the sources with which most IT pros and data analysts are regularly involved (relational and OLAP databases, text and similar files, etc.) to sources that are a little more out of the ordinary for some of us (OData, MS Exchange, Active Directory, and a growing list of others), these reservoirs and suppliers of data grow increasingly more valuable in self-service BI.
In this session, BI Architect, SQL Server MVP and Analysis Services Maestro Bill Pearson focuses upon the first step in working with data sources in Power BI: connecting to, and extracting data from, a diverse range of data sources. Throughout the session, we explore various sources and witness how to employ Power BI with each.

Speaker(s):

William E Pearson III

Track and Room: Analytics and Visualization - ROOM1

Title: Revenge: The SQL!

Abstract: Pop quiz DBA: Your developers are running rampant in production. Logic, reason, and threats have all failed. You’re on the edge. What do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?

Hint: You attend Revenge: The SQL!

This session will show you how to “correct” all those bad practices. Everyone logging in as sa? Running huge cursors? Using SELECT * and ad-hoc SQL? Stop them dead, without actually killing them. Ever dropped a table, or database, or WHERE clause? You can prevent that! And if you’re tired of folks ignoring your naming conventions, make them behave with Unicode…and take your revenge!

Revenge: The SQL! is fun and educational and may even have some practical use, but you’ll want to attend simply to indulge your Dark Side. Revenge: The SQL! assumes no liability and is not available in all 50 states. Do not taunt Revenge: The SQL! or Happy Fun Ball.

Speaker(s):

Rob Volk

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - ROOM4

Title: Self-Service ETL with Microsoft Power Query

Abstract: In this session, I will introduce you to Microsoft’s new self-service ETL tool “Power Query” for Excel. I will show you, how to source data from various data sources, how you can massage the data and consume the data for your use in the data pipeline. I will introduce you to “M” language that is used in Power Query. I will show you how you can discover and mash data from public data sources within Power Query. If you would like to do ETL quickly without writing SSIS packages, Power Query is the way go. Come and attend this session to learn “Power Query”.

Speaker(s):

Damu Venkatesan

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development, Delivery, Administration - ROOM2

Title: Enhancing Data and Predictive Analytics with Azure HDInsight

Abstract: The pervasiveness of Big Data has created significant challenges for companies that have historically utilized relational database management systems to perform data analysis and predictive analytics. This presentation outlines the challenges that stem from Big Data as it relates to deriving value from data and how Azure HDInsight can serve as a data platform that significantly enhances the data analysis and predictive analytics capabilities of companies.

Speaker(s):

Cornell Emile

Track and Room: Analytics and Visualization - ROOM1

Title: Azure SQL Database: 12 Things To Know

Abstract: Up and running with Azure SQL Database already? This session will provide a grab bag of 12 how-to items you’ll need to know to successfully keep your database running. Among those, we’ll cover PowerShell for Azure SQL DB, geo-replica and other disaster recovery features and monitoring.

Speaker(s):

Sven Aelterman

Track and Room: Cloud Anything - ROOM4

Title: Introducing Hadoop to SQL Server Pros

Abstract: Finding any IT industry publication that does not frequently reference Hadoop and Big Data is nearly impossible. Even so, to many SQL Server professionals it remains a mystery. ‘Introducing Hadoop to SQL Server Pros’ is designed to bridge the gap between knowledge of SQL Server and an understanding of Hadoop by comparing similarities in key functionality. Equally important is understanding how Hadoop is different and the use cases in which it compliments SQL Server. Of special note are the ways Microsoft is integrating Hadoop in its data strategy and related products. Perhaps 2016, Hadoop’s 10th birthday year, is the time for SQL Server Pros to become familiar with this platform and how to prepare for it’s introduction into our work as data professionals.

Speaker(s):

Jon Boulineau

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development, Delivery, Administration - ROOM3

Title: Execution Plans for Mere Mortals

Abstract: For beginning database professionals, execution plans can be intimidating. This 1-hour session takes you through the basics of reading graphical execution plans and drills into key operators, warnings, and properties. Learn how, why, and when an execution plan is created and saved to plan cache.

Reading execution plans becomes much less intimidating as we walk through the flow and process of a graphical execution plan. After looking at the key operators, you will be able to analyze the operators of your execution plans, view the operator properties, and identify common performance-tuning opportunities. Finally, you will be able to capture the execution plan and save it for analysis and comparison after modifications.

Speaker(s):

Mike Lawell

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - ROOM4

Title: Azure SQL Database: Deployment and Development of Your First DB

Abstract: Azure SQL Database offers compelling features for developers, especially those creating cloud applications. In this session, you’ll learn about the Azure SQL Database platform and the tools provided for deployment and management of your databases. Demos will provide step-by-step examples of creating a SQL Server and Azure SQL Database, deploying a database using various methods and then managing that database.

Speaker(s):

Sven Aelterman

Track and Room: Cloud Anything - ROOM1

Title: How Queries Work

Abstract: If you’ve been writing T-SQL code for a while, but have never delved into what happens after you submit your queries there is a whole world that you are missing. Taking the next step as a T-SQL developer requires understanding the basics of the SQL Server architecture and what it means to use a declarative language. Have you ever wondered why cursors are so slow, why query performance can be unpredictable, or how you can begin to analyze your queries more deeply? In this session we will cover what SQL Server has to do to turn your T-SQL code into the results you expect and how you can use this knowledge to make your code better.

Speaker(s):

Jon Boulineau

Track and Room: Application Database Development - ROOM3

Title: Enterprise Machine Learning with R and SQL Server

Abstract: R is a pure data science and statistics scripting language. It is considered the best fit for Machine Learning. With more than 5000 packages all machine learning algorithms are covered and improving. R packages help you prepare the data, e.g.: packages for cross validation with N folds, build machine learning models, validation, create plots and to generate predictions. SQL Server 2016 and R Server are a perfect match for building enterprise grade solutions that support deployments for real time predictions and continuous model updates. Join this session for an overview based on sample cases about how to build enterprise grade machine learning solutions with SQL Server and R.

Speaker(s):

Paco Gonzalez

Track and Room: Analytics and Visualization - ROOM3

Title: Performance Tuning for Mere Mortals Part I

Abstract: In this first part of a two part series, we look at performance tuning from the very beginning. You’re a new DBA, you want to be a DBA, or you’ve been declared an “Accidental DBA” and the phone rings. Someone tells you that they believe SQL Server is having a performance issue, what now? The application is running slowly. Can you help them? Do you even know where to begin to help them? In this session we’ll cover how to handle performance tuning from the very beginning, when the user says “The database is slow.”

Speaker(s):

Ed Watson

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - ROOM4

Title: I See What You Did There– Automating Auditing in SQL Server

Abstract: You are a DBA, not a psychic. If you want to know who is making changes, trying to access confidential data, or unsuccessfully attempting to login as the Web service account on any or all of the SQL Server instances you manage; you don’t need a crystal ball to gain the power of insight. However, if you follow along in this presentation you will be able to use the magic of SQL Server Audit to peer into the past with Power View and tell the professional future of the unwary soul who crossed your path. None shall PASS!

Speaker(s):

Rodney Landrum

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - ROOM3

Title: Introduction to SQL Server Integration Services

Abstract: Take an introductory journey into the world of SSIS through the eyes of a SQL Server DBA as he navigates the Business Intelligence waters. This is an introductory course for beginners or users without any SSIS experience. Come learn how to SSIS with me!

Speaker(s):

Ed Watson

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development, Delivery, Administration - ROOM2

Title: APPLY Yourself

Abstract: Microsoft introduced the APPLY operator in SQL Server 2005. This under-used, non-standard operator can help us solve a number of common (and not-so-common) problems with elegant code which performs well. We will look several problem spaces in which the APPLY operator shines, such as joining to table-valued functions, getting the top N child records for each parent record, string splitting, and word matching. With the use of these examples, we will gain a deeper understanding of when to use the APPLY operator.

Speaker(s):

Kevin Feasel

Track and Room: Application Database Development - ROOM1

Title: Do Awesome Things with PowerShell in 5 minutes or Less

Abstract: What if you could import 25 million rows of CSV data in less than 2 minutes? Or regain lost sysadmin access to your SQL Server in 20 seconds? Need to check which of your 200 servers has misconfigured max memory, calculate the proper memory and then set it? No problem, couple of minutes, tops.

PowerShell can do amazing things for database administrators. It can automate your complex, onerous tasks. It can also automate the boring yet vital tasks like testing backups, and it can do it faster than you think. Even better, it is easier to learn than you might expect.

Get Better, Faster, Stronger with PowerShell SQL Server.

Speaker(s):

Aaron Nelson

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - ROOM2

Title: Zero to Hero with PowerShell and SQL Server

Abstract: PowerShell is everywhere, and that includes SQL Server. In this session we’ll look at using PowerShell with both the SQL Server provider and the SMO (SQL Management Objects) library. Learn how to handle common DBA tasks, such as backups, reviewing error logs, and checking the status of SQL Jobs.

You’ll also see how to perform developer tasks such as creating tables, inserting records, and querying data. Perhaps most importantly, you will learn how to read and understand the SMO object model, and translate it into PowerShell commands. Come see how to make your SQL Server Pop with PowerShell.

Speaker(s):

Robert Cain

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - ROOM2

Title: Microsoft Technologies for Data Science

Abstract: Microsoft provides several technologies in and around SQL Server which can be used for casual to serious data science. This presentation provides an authoritative overview of five major options: SQL Server Analysis Services, Excel Add-in for SSAS, Semantic Search, Microsoft Azure Machine Learning, and F#. Also included are tips on working with Python and R. These technologies have been used by the presenter in various companies and industries. Bring your beginner to advanced questions!

Speaker(s):

Mark Tabladillo

Track and Room: Analytics and Visualization - ROOM1

Title: A Quick Peek into the 4th Dimension with T-SQL

Abstract: Time. We are all cursed and blessed with it. We run out of it, often need more of it, sometimes forget it but are always keeping track of it. In this session, we will delve into the functions provided in T-SQL and Excel to demonstrate how to solve both simple and complex problems with time and dates for your reports and dashboards. Ever wondered what is so special about 01/01/1900 and what will happen on January 1, 10,000? Do you want to know how to find gaps in time between systems or forecast the future? Are you interested to know how to accurately tally hours from minutes (it may not be as easy as you thought), then this session will not be a waste of your time.

Speaker(s):

Rodney Landrum

Track and Room: Application Database Development - ROOM3

Title: Using SQL to Avoid the SharePoint List Threshold

Abstract: What do you do when your SharePoint list exceeds the 5,000 item threshold? Do you turn off throttling for the list? Do you increase the limit in Central Admin? If either of these are your solution, you’re risking a SQL database lockup, which could affect more than the one list. Based on a real world scenario, this session will share how a major healthcare institution recently used a SQL view containing 6,000+ items to avoid SharePoint’s list threshold. Additionally, attendees will see how a Power View report built in SharePoint used the same SQL data to provide an interactive dashboard for data monitoring.

Speaker(s):

Theresa Eller

Track and Room: Application Database Development - ROOM2

Title: Cloud Cloud. Cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud…..also Azure.

Abstract: How much Azure can you Azure? How many cloud can you cloud? Hear the lessons learned from an attempt at an “All Azure” BI Project. We’ll explore Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Factory and Power BI as pieces of the solution and learn where On Prem had to be used to fill in the gaps in the solution.

Speaker(s):

Julie Smith

Track and Room: Cloud Anything - ROOM3

Speakers

This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.

Aaron Nelson

Twitter: - SQLvariant

LinkedIn: Aaron Nelson

Contact: http://sqlvariant.com/

Aaron Nelson is an author, public speaker, blogger, and leader in the community. He has over 15 years of experience in architecture, Business Intelligence, development, and performance tuning of SQL Server. Aaron has received many certifications and is a six time winner of the Microsoft MVP Award.

Aaron leads the PowerShell Virtual Group of PASS (SQLPS.io), is a board member of PowerShell.org, and is a volunteer at his PASS Local Group, AtlantaMDF.

Sven Aelterman

Twitter: - @svenaelterman

LinkedIn: Sven Aelterman

Contact: https://svenaelterman.wordpress.com

Sven Aelterman is the Director of IT for the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University; a role with a global scope. He is also a lecturer in Information Systems and teaches courses in data warehousing and information security. He continues consulting work through Adduxis, where he assists customers with various Microsoft technology implementations. Co-author of The Art of SQL Server FILESTREAM, published by Red Gate; and SQL Server 2017 Administration Inside Out, published by Microsoft Press. Cloud Software Architect at Sorrell Solutions, L.L.C. developing a Microsoft Azure-hosted Electronic Health Record system.

Jon Boulineau

Twitter: - @jboulineau

LinkedIn: Jon Boulineau

Contact: http://jonboulineau.me

Jon Boulineau works as a Data Architect and Data Engineer in Nashville, TN.

Paco Gonzalez

Twitter: - @pacosql

LinkedIn: Paco Gonzalez

Paco Gonzalez is the CEO of SolidQ North America, and a Microsoft Data Platform MVP. Focused on Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, he specializes in helping organizations become data driven from a strategic and technical perspective. Paco is a speaker at small and large conferences such as PASS Summit, Ignite, and Business Applications Summit, and he has published several books and whitepapers. He is based in Atlanta, GA.

Rob Volk

Twitter: - sql_r

LinkedIn: Rob Volk

Contact: http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/robv/

Rob Volk is a SQL Server DBA in the Metro Atlanta area since 2001. He also moderates and answers the forums on SQLTeam.com. While an old-time cranky DBA, he no longer considers quot;business intelligencequot; an oxymoron or quot;the cloudquot; as merely atmospheric moisture, and is delightedly dipping his toes into both of these new oceans, and loves to do things in new and and unusual ways.

Rodney Landrum

Twitter: - @SQLBeat

Contact: https://www.simple-talk.com/blogs/author/2133-rodney-landrum/

Rodney Landrum has been architecting solutions for SQL Server for over 12 years. He has worked with and written about many SQL Server technologies, including DTS, Integration Services, Analysis Services, and Reporting Services. He has co-authored 4 books on Reporting Services. He is been a regular contributor to SQL Server magazine, sqlservercentral.com and Simple-talk.com. Rodney is also SQL Server MVP

Rodney Landrum

Twitter: - @SQLBeat

Contact: https://www.simple-talk.com/blogs/author/2133-rodney-landrum/

Rob Volk

Twitter: - sql_r

LinkedIn: Rob Volk

Contact: http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/robv/

Mark Tabladillo

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/MarkTabNet

LinkedIn: Mark Tabladillo

Contact: http://marktab.net

Mark Tabladillo Ph.D. works for Microsoft as a Cloud Solution Architect for the US CTO Customer Success Team. He has a science doctorate from Georgia Tech. Based in Atlanta, GA, Mark provides cloud enterprise solutions for companies in the US for Microsoft’s strategic clients. He is a chapter leader for the PASS Data Science virtual chapter.

Damu Venkatesan

Twitter: - @vdamu

LinkedIn: Damu Venkatesan

Damu Venkatesan is a Business Intelligence Consultant with over 25 years of IT experience including architecting and implementing BI/DW solutions using Microsoft SQL Server, PDW, SSIS, SSAS, SSRS, and Power BI. He has been speaking at many SQLSaturdays and user groups on data analytics and is actively involved in the Atlanta SQL community for several years. He has successfully delivered several BI/DW solutions and data migrations to various clients. He is also currently serving as President of DAMA Georgia chapter in Atlanta. He is the co-organizer of BI SQLSaturday in Atlanta.

Cornell Emile

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/CornellEmile

For nearly two decades, Cornell A. Emile has designed, developed, and maintained data-centric solutions within multiple industries such as Finance, Digital Marketing, Non-Profit, Retail, Manufacturing State and Federal Government using Microsoft#39;s business and data products. His main interests include architecting data solutions, Business Intelligence and NoSQL databases.

Julie Smith

Twitter: - @juliechix

LinkedIn: Julie Smith

Contact: http://datachix.com

Julie Smith is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and a BI consultant for Innovative Architects in Atlanta, GA. She#39;s implemented increasingly complex Business Intelligence solutions for over a decade at various organizations. She#39;s also worn many other database “hats” in her career – production DBA and database developer–but data integration and BI are her true passions. Julie holds a BA from the University of South Carolina. She and Audrey Hammonds co-created The Datachix.com blog.

Mike Lawell

Twitter: - @sqldiver

LinkedIn: Mike Lawell

Contact: http://sqlserverassociates.com/Blog

Mike Lawell is an 19 year veteran of SQL Server, working with all versions since 6.5. He specializes in performance tuning and high availability as an independent consultant.

He is a Linchpin People Teammate, he also consults with SolidQ, Intellinet and Microsoft Consulting Services.

He is also a certified Scuba instructor with a long bucket list of dive sites.

He resides in Atlanta, GA and you can catch him at many of the SQLSaturdays in the SE region of the United States.

Theresa Eller

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/SharePointMadam

LinkedIn: Theresa Eller

Contact: http://www.techresa.com

Theresa Eller is a SharePoint and Office 365 Administrator with a passion for customer success. Her diverse background includes degrees in Public Relations and Teaching and Learning with Technology, as well as 20 years of experience providing technical support, training, and project leadership. Theresa is a leader, speaker, and blogger in the SharePoint and Office 365 Community.

Robert Cain

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/arcanecode

LinkedIn: Robert Cain

Contact: http://arcanecode.com

Robert C. Cain (http://arcanecode.com) is a Microsoft MVP, MCTS Certified in BI, and is the owner of Arcane Training and Consulting, LLC. He is also a course author for Plurasight, author for Red Gate’s SImple Talk website, and co-author of 4 books. A popular speaker, Robert has presented at events such as the SQL PASS Summit, TechEd, CodeStock, and numerous SQLSaturdays. Robert has over 25 years experience in the IT industry, working in a variety of fields ranging from manufacturing to telecommunications to nuclear power.

Ed Watson

Twitter: - http://twitter.com/SQLGator

LinkedIn: Ed Watson

Contact: http://sqlgator.com

Ed Watson is a Principal Data Platform Consultant for Improving Enterprises, a full-stack Microsoft consulting firm in Atlanta. Ed is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP since 2014 and like most children, Ed was born at an early age. Today, Ed specializes in the Business Intelligence stack and enjoys specializing in Power BI immensely. He currently lives in Atlanta and is active with the Atlanta MDF and Atlanta BI user groups and is an organizer for SQLSaturday Atlanta, Atlanta BI, and Pensacola.

Kevin Feasel

Twitter: - feaselkl

LinkedIn: Kevin Feasel

Contact: http://www.catallaxyservices.com

Kevin Feasel is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and CTO at Envizage, where he specializes in data analytics with T-SQL and R, forcing Spark clusters to do his bidding, fighting with Kafka, and pulling rabbits out of hats on demand. He is the lead contributor to Curated SQL (https://curatedsql.com), president of the Triangle Area SQL Server Users Group (https://www.meetup.com/tripass), and author of PolyBase Revealed (https://www.apress.com/us/book/9781484254608). A resident of Durham, North Carolina, he can be found cycling the trails along the triangle whenever the weather’s nice enough.

Ed Watson

Twitter: - http://twitter.com/SQLGator

LinkedIn: Ed Watson

Contact: http://sqlgator.com

William E Pearson III

Twitter: - @Bill_Pearson

LinkedIn: William E Pearson III

Contact: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=02C5CD07-7511-4151-A678-3A4A3451F85E

Bill Pearson created Island Technologies Inc. in 1997, and has developed a large and diverse customer base since. Bill#39;s background as a CPA, Internal Auditor, Management Accountant, and SQL Server MVP (BI) enables him to provide value to clients as a liaison between Accounting / Finance and Information Services. Bill has implemented enterprise business intelligence systems over the years for many Fortune 500 companies and focuses his practice upon the integrated Microsoft Business Intelligence

Sven Aelterman

Twitter: - @svenaelterman

LinkedIn: Sven Aelterman

Contact: https://svenaelterman.wordpress.com

Jon Boulineau

Twitter: - @jboulineau

LinkedIn: Jon Boulineau

Contact: http://jonboulineau.me

Jon Boulineau works as a Data Architect and Data Engineer in Nashville, TN.