SQLSaturday #554 - Johannesburg 2016
Event Date: 09/03/2016 00:00:00
Event Location:
- Microsoft head office
- 3012 William Nicol Drive
- Bryanston, Gauteng, South Africa
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Sessions
This is a list of sessions from the event, based on the schedule in the XML files.
Title: An introduction to Data Mining with SQL Server 2016
Abstract: With the vast amount of changes that occur in our daily business environments, it becomes more and more difficult to achieve our corporate goals without some ‘lighthouse’ to guide our way. Data mining, (while not a panacea to resolve or ‘control’ the effects of these changes), can provide us with statistical trends by analyzing our data and highlighting probable outcomes.
In this hands on BEGINNERS presentation we shall be looking at Microsoft SQL Server’s Data Mining capabilities and we shall be discussing:
1) Defining what questions we want answered and how to go about this in an effective and efficient manner.
2) Creating the data model.
3) How to gather the necessary data, discussing the training and testing aspect.
4) Processing the model.
5) Extracting information from our finished model, discussing the implications of this information.
Speaker(s):
- Steve Simon
Track and Room: BI Information Delivery - Room 3
Title: Daily problems with indexing and its - possible - solution
Abstract: Have you ever been in the situation that an application performed well the last day and - suddenly - you run into problems? Although you have Index Maintenance jobs and statistics up to date you will monitor a big degrade of performance! This session will demonstrate in a over 80 percent demo based presentation the following scenarios which happend this way in real life!
- Why performance degradation in spite of maintenance jobs?
- just one more database in the result set and the query runs really bad - why?
- usage of literals is completely different from the usage of variables - why?
- identical data types but the query runs in part perfect and in part bad…
- your execution plan shows an INDEX SEEK - but the table will be scanned!
- you get a query from the business which performs really bad but when you test it it runs pretty cool - why?
Speaker(s):
- Uwe Ricken
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Room 1
Title: From Me BI to We BI, take your BI solution beyond the clouds
Abstract: ne of the main challenges organizations face in the BI world is to allow, via a single platform, contradicting needs of self-service BI with governance and Enterprise scale. Come and see the game changing approach of Pyramid Analytics that allows organizations to obtain these impossible needs of business users and IT in a singular BI platform. Pyramid Analytics the platform that Microsoft selected as a strategic partner for PowerBI.
Pyramid Analytics revolutionary platform provides a single platform that delivers: • Self Service – No code necessary. • Web based central administration and security. • Role based functionality for different roles in the organization (Professional, Analyst and Consumer). • Universal configuration – build once use anywhere (PC, Tablet and Mobile). • Enterprise scale – parallel processing, clustering and load balancing. • And more ….
Speaker(s):
- Michael Raam
Track and Room: BI Information Delivery - Room 2
Title: Using the SQL 2016 Query Store to optimise Performance and Scalability
Abstract: SQL 2016 introduces the Query Store, a mechanism that has been built into the SQL 2016 database engine in order to facilitate rapid identification and resolution of performance and scalability bottlenecks in SQL application scenarios. In the session we will examine Query Store architecture and features and gain an understanding of how the tools should be used.
Speaker(s):
- Peter Willmot
Track and Room: Other - Room 1
Title: Becoming a successful Database Administrator (DBA)
Abstract: In this panel led session we will look at what it takes to become a successful Database Administrator.
We will spend 20 minutes looking at what the typical day for a DBA looks like as well as training that you may need to become a DBA. This will be followed by a 20 minute QA session where you will be given the opportunity to ask questions from senior DBA’s
Speaker(s):
- Jody Roberts
Track and Room: Professional Development - Room 5
Title: The language informally known as M
Abstract: At the heart of Power BI is the Power Query Formula Language (informally known as M), a dynamically typed, case-sensitive functional language for creating mashup queries, similar to the F# language.
Although Power BI Desktop has a number of great UI features for transformations, under the hood it’s all M, and the better you understand the language, the more you can take advantage of the capabilities inherent in Power BI.
In this session I will introduce you to the basics of the M language and demonstrate some of the more advanced features.
Speaker(s):
- Matt Horn
Track and Room: BI Information Delivery - Room 2
Title: Your code is not just…your code
Abstract: When you code do you only thing about your code? What about how you release it fast, with high Quality and in a regulated environment?
We’ll take a look at how SQL code traditionally (or at least most commonly) gets into production. We’ll then switch our focus to using unit tests as a way to help improve quality in the fast paced world we live in and a release pipeline to simplify it all
Speaker(s):
- Gordon Beeming
Track and Room: Professional Development - Room 4
Title: So, when you say database what do you mean?
Abstract: These days when you say “database server” it could really mean many things.
For something like SQL server there are so many options: on-premise server, off-premise server. On-premise server with off-premise data. Then there are the various Azure offerings with fancy names like Azure SQL, Data Lake, Hadoop.
You also get graph databases and document databases.
This session will cover some of the more popular types of data stores that are available today and we will look at their use cases. While SQL server is great for many things, one has to be aware of the other options that are available out there.
Speaker(s):
- Clinton van Blommestein
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Room 2
Title: The thing about women in tech
Abstract: The world is, by and large, a much more equitable place to be than ever in human history. But that doesn’t mean we’ve solved all our problems. The question of how to attract women to the tech sector’ is one of the unsolved ones. In this interactive discussion, we’ll try and work out what the problems are, and maybe find a few solutions.
Speaker(s):
- Samantha Perry
Track and Room: Professional Development - Room 5
Title: BI Office Analytic Platforms and the Value of Shared Context
Abstract: Modern self-service personal productivity analytic tools allow individual users to create sophisticated calculations and sets. However, for an organization to maximize the value of analytics this business logic must be released from myriad of spreadsheets and documents that it is embedded. Join us to discuss how analytic platforms allow data-driven organizations to centralize, share and contextualize this content.
Speaker(s):
- Sandesh Nagaraj
Track and Room: BI Information Delivery - Room 2
Title: Advanced Analytics with SQL Server R Services using R Tools for V
Abstract: This session will cover an overview of the integration between SQL Server and Visual Studio with SQL Server R Services. We’ll demo these capacities and wrap up with guidelines/advice for your own advanced analytics journey.
Speaker(s):
- Luis de Sousa
Track and Room: Advanced Analysis Techniques - Room 1
Title: The magic that is Stretchdb
Abstract: In this session we will explore how SQL Server 2016 StretchDB changes the way we look at our archiving strategies.
Speaker(s):
- Jody Roberts
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Room 4
Title: Becoming a successful SQL Developer
Abstract: In this panel led discussion we will look at what is required to become a successful SQL Developer.
This session will begin with a 30 minute overview of is required of a SQL Developer, what training options are available as well as what career prospects are as you career progresses. This will be followed by a 20 min QA session where you will be able to ask the panel questions.
Speaker(s):
- Gail Shaw
Track and Room: Professional Development - Room 5
Title: Tabular End to End
Abstract: With this presentation you will be provided with insight into not only the history of Tabular but also the differences between Tabular and Multidimensional. We will cover the painless process of building, deploying and processing a Tabular model and finally take a brief look at some of the BI Tools on the market that are using it.
Speaker(s):
- Kirsten Burnett
Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - Room 3
Title: SQL Server 2016 JSON Support FOR Data Warehousing
Abstract: JSON is finally supported SQL Server! In this session we take a look at different built-in SQL Server 2016 T-SQL functions that can be used to process JSON data into data warehouse solutions. We also look at different ways to convert a relational data mart into a JSON format.
Speaker(s):
- Sifiso Ndlovu
Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - Room 3
Title: I’m a DBA. Now what?
Abstract: If you are a developer+DBA, consultant+DBA, IT Manager+DBA, Intern+DBA, technical support+DBA or just a DBA, this session will be useful to you. After working for many years as developer and consultant, the SQL Server MVP Fabiano Amorim has being working with many day-by-day DBA tasks. In this session he will speak a little about the DBA job and show some very good tips about how to do it with efficiency.
Speaker(s):
- Fabiano Amorim
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Room 1
Title: Becoming a successful Business Intelligence developer
Abstract: In this panel led discussion we will look at what it takes to become successful Business Intelligence Developer
The session will begin with a 30 minute overview of what is required of a business developer, what training options are available for you to and what career opportunities exist as you career progresses. The final 20 minutes will be a QA session for you to ask the Panel any career related questions you may have.
Speaker(s):
- Steve Simon
Track and Room: Professional Development - Room 5
Title: You hit F5 and now what?
Abstract: What happens when you query for data in SQL Server under the covers. lets see the “page” by “page” action.
Speaker(s):
- Jacques Mostert
Track and Room: Information Delivery - Room 2
Title: On Transactions and Atomic Operations
Abstract: If there’s one thing that we, as SQL developers, do, it’s not use enough transactions.
Transactions are critical when multiple changes need to be made entirely or not at all, but even given that it’s rare to see transactions used at all in most production code
In this session, we’ll look at what transactions are and why we should use them. We’ll explore the effects transactions have on locking and the transaction log. We’ll investigate methods of handling errors and undoing data modifications, and we’ll see why nested transactions are a lie.
Speaker(s):
- Gail Shaw
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Room 1
Title: How to become the most sought after SQL Server professionals in J
Abstract: Are you underpaid? Would you like to know what a market related salary is for your skill set? What are the most in demand IT Developer profiles in the market today? Is your CV going to stand out from the guy sitting next to you? Come along to my presentation and we will have a look at what a market related salary for you is; are you keeping your skills relevant for today’s needs and are you representing yourself well enough to stand out.
Speaker(s):
- Vanessa Raath
Track and Room: Professional Development - Room 5
Title: What!!! a new AdventureWorks? Welcome to WorldWideImporters
Abstract: We will be going through how to setup the new Microsoft Sample database and have a look at the new features and workloads that can be run against the new same database.
Speaker(s):
- Jean-Pierre Voogt
Track and Room: Information Delivery - Room 2
Title: Introduction to Database Design
Abstract: Far too few database developers in this day and age get the opportunity to learn how to design relation databases. In most cases, they will on occasion be asked to add a few objects to an existing system while following the standards of the organisation. These relatively infrequent changes do not hone the skills needed for effective design.
This session will go through the fundamentals of database design. Topics such as normalization, Understanding Data Relationships as well as the Language of Data Modeling and Design will be discussed. The Database Design Sequence Phases of Conceptual, Logical and Physical will be introduced as well.
Speaker(s):
- Sean Cremer
Track and Room: Application Database Development - Room 1
Title: Welcome to the core soldier
Abstract: In this session we break down the configuration, installation, remote management and troubleshooting SQL Server running on Windows Server Core. We take a look at configuring and deploying an AlwaysOn availability group across Windows Server Core machines using PowerShell.
Speaker(s):
- Anthony Fourie
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Room 3
Title: Hitchhikers Guide to Table Partitioning
Abstract: Table partitioning can be daunting and may not work as expected. You may have tried to implement partitioning only to find you created greater performance issues. In this session you will be taken through the theory of table partitioning with practical examples you can use. We will learn what partitioning is, what it is not, how to implement it, how to maintain it, how to use it for maintenance and how you can improve query performance under certain conditions. After this session you will have the confidence to apply partitioning in your environment.
Speaker(s):
- Sean Pearce
Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - Room 4
Title: Why you should be BI curious
Abstract: Business Intelligence. It’s a rather all-encompassing term, isn’t it.
In this beginner level session, learn the basics of Business Intelligence, the stages of BI maturity and get introduced to the Microsoft BI Stack, starting from the humble roots of Reporting Services, through to the incredible power of Interactive Dashboards in Power BI.
Whether you’re looking for a different career option, or you’re just interested in broadening your knowledge base, come and experience the wonders of being (in) BI!
Note: This session comes packaged with a series of double entendres and other innuendos.
Speaker(s):
- James McGillivray
Track and Room: BI Information Delivery - Room 2
Speakers
This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.
Samantha Perry
Twitter: - @samanthaperry
Samantha Perry is the co-founder of and human behind WomeninTechZA (womenintech.co.za) - an initiative that aims to bridge the gender diversity gap in the South African tech sector. Having worked in the tech sector as a journalist for 18 years, Samantha recently moved back into the strategic communications space. She has a Masters degree in ICT Policy amp; Regulation, likes long walks on the beach, and hopes to one day have the kind of job that gives her time to take them.
Gail Shaw
Twitter: - @SQLInTheWild
Contact: http://sqlinthewild.co.za
Gail Shaw is a Database Specialist focusing on database performance tuning and database recovery, with a particular interest in topics such as indexing strategies, execution plans, and writing T-SQL code that performs well and scales gracefully. Gail holds a Microsoft Certified Master certification for SQL Server 2008 and is a Data Platform MVP. She’s a frequent poster on the SQLServerCentral forums, a Pluralsight author, writes articles for both SQLServerCentral.com and Simple-Talk.com, and has spoken at SQLSaturdays, SQL Bits and at the PASS Community Summit. Gail has been responsible for extending the lifespan of many an application, by performance-tuning their databases and providing technical guidance on all things SQL Server related.
Jody Roberts
Twitter: - Jody_Wp
LinkedIn: Jody Roberts
Contact: http://JodyWP.wordpress.com
Jody Roberts is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP based in Cape Town, South Africa. He specializes in SQL Server architecture, disaster recovery (DR), and server optimization.
Jody serves as a PASS Regional Mentor responsible for the Middle East amp; Africa, Chapter Lead of the SQLCape user group, and Co-Lead of the PASS Cloud Virtual Chapter. Jody is a Principal Consultant at Northern Data.
Steve Simon
Twitter: - SQLServerBoffin
LinkedIn: Steve Simon
Contact: http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/simon_says/
Steve Simon is a Database Solutions Architect with Business Knowledge Services Inc. He has been involved with database design and analysis for over 35 years. Steve has presented papers at numerous PASS Summits and PASS SQL Rallies. He is also regular presenter on the SQLSaturday circuit and he is a contributor on SQLShack.com
Jean-Pierre Voogt
Twitter: - @CloudySQL
Jean-Pierre is an SQL Developer and Data Analysis Team Lead from South Africa. He is MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) and owner of a bachelor’ degree in Software Engineering with good experience with Database design, Data warehousing and development. He has a great passion for SQL server and he enjoys solving complex business problems.
Jean-Pierre speaks at the Johannesburg SQL User Group, trying to give back to the SQL community as much as possible. He loves to tinker with SQL Server and see how he can approach a problem with a different angle.
Gail Shaw
Twitter: - @SQLInTheWild
Contact: http://sqlinthewild.co.za
Gail Shaw is a Database Specialist focusing on database performance tuning and database recovery, with a particular interest in topics such as indexing strategies, execution plans, and writing T-SQL code that performs well and scales gracefully. Gail holds a Microsoft Certified Master certification for SQL Server 2008 and is a Data Platform MVP. She’s a frequent poster on the SQLServerCentral forums, a Pluralsight author, writes articles for both SQLServerCentral.com and Simple-Talk.com, and has spoken at SQLSaturdays, SQL Bits and at the PASS Community Summit. Gail has been responsible for extending the lifespan of many an application, by performance-tuning their databases and providing technical guidance on all things SQL Server related.
Peter Willmot
Peter has been writing software (and teaching folk how to write software) for over 30 years. He has worked with SQL Server as an architect and developer for more than 20 years (since SQL 4.2) and has also worked extensively with the .Net and various other development platforms.
Peter is a past MSDN Regional Director and was also an MVP (SQL Server and Architecture) for many years. He is a passionate and regular speaker and various industry events around the world.
Steve Simon
Twitter: - SQLServerBoffin
LinkedIn: Steve Simon
Contact: http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/simon_says/
Steve Simon is a Database Solutions Architect with Business Knowledge Services Inc. He has been involved with database design and analysis for over 35 years. Steve has presented papers at numerous PASS Summits and PASS SQL Rallies. He is also regular presenter on the SQLSaturday circuit and he is a contributor on SQLShack.com
James McGillivray
Twitter: - JamesMcG_MSBI
LinkedIn: James McGillivray
Contact: https://jimbabwe.co.za/blog-posts/
James McGillivray, Data Management and Analytics MCSE, has been working in Business Intelligence for over a decade. He spends his working hours building solutions that allow people to make informed decisions quickly and accurately. James is a director at Cobalt Analytics.
Before his career in data, James was an avid musical theatre student and musician. This love for performance has developed into a passion for developing and delivering presentations that are informative and enjoyable. James speaks frequently at the Johannesburg SQL User Group, and has delivered sessions at numerous SQLSaturdays, PASS Summit, Power BI World Tour and SQL Bits.
Jody Roberts
Twitter: - Jody_Wp
LinkedIn: Jody Roberts
Contact: http://JodyWP.wordpress.com
Jody Roberts is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP based in Cape Town, South Africa. He specializes in SQL Server architecture, disaster recovery (DR), and server optimization.
Jody serves as a PASS Regional Mentor responsible for the Middle East amp; Africa, Chapter Lead of the SQLCape user group, and Co-Lead of the PASS Cloud Virtual Chapter. Jody is a Principal Consultant at Northern Data.
Luis de Sousa
Twitter: - @luis_de_sousa
LinkedIn: Luis de Sousa
Contact: http://www.luisdesousa.co.za
Consult to large financial institutions in South Africa providing Business Intelligence and Analysis insight.
Clinton van Blommestein
LinkedIn: Clinton van Blommestein
Clinton is a senior developer at Derivco in Durban (South Africa), a company that is a leader in the online gaming space. He has over 16 years experience in highly transactions systems, with focus on the services and data tiers. He is a regular speaker at SQL events in South Africa, is also the co-leader for the Durban SQL User Group and has recognised as a Couchbase Champion for his contribution to their community.
Matt Horn
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/maxui
LinkedIn: Matt Horn
Matt Horn is a Business Intelligence Developer and director with Immersant Data Solutions. He has been a regular speaker at SQLSaturday events for many years He is the Co Lead of the IntelliCape Business Intelligence user group based in Cape Town. .
Kirsten Burnett
I am a Senior Business Intelligence Developer with well over 10 years’ experience working on various SQL technologies, mostly in the financial sector, in South Africa and the UK. I graduated from UNISA with a BSc in Computer Science and Information Systems and I am starting on my second BSc in Applied Maths and Statistics. I work primarily with the Microsoft technology stack with a focus on practical Data Warehousing and SSAS solutions and have a keen interest in analytics and finding new modelling methodologies to cope with the ever changing data landscape.
Gordon Beeming
Twitter: - GordonBeeming
LinkedIn: Gordon Beeming
Contact: http://beeming.net/
Gordon Beeming is a Software Developer at Derivco in the sunny city of Durban, South Africa. He spends most his time hacking away at the keyboard in Visual Studio or with his family relaxing. He is a Visual Studio ALM Ranger, Visual Studio ALM MVP and Friend of Red Gate. His blog is at beeming.net and you can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/gordonbeeming.
Sean Pearce
Twitter: - @SeanPearceSQL
LinkedIn: Sean Pearce
Contact: http://thesqlguy.blogspot.com/
Sean Pearce is a SQL Server consultant with a background in application development. Initially he was exposed to SQL Server 6.5 as a developer but by the time SQL Server 2000 had been released he had stepped into a SQL Server focused role. His understanding of the architecture of SQL Server allows him to excel at performance tuning and problem solving. Sean is actively involved in the SQL Server community, has spoken at PASS SQLSaturday and presents regularly to the Jhb SQL Server User Group.
Donovan White
Twitter: - @SQLSoup
An avid lover of SQL Server and an Architect for Microsoft South Africa, I have been working with SQL Server for the last 16 years focusing on database development and administration, focusing on architecting high performance large scale virtualized database environments. Currently my delivery and focus has been on Microsoft’s leading data platform technologies working with customers to deliver Big Data HTAP solutions.
Vanessa Raath
Twitter: - @Van_Raath
LinkedIn: Vanessa Raath
Contact: https://www.vanessaraath.com
I am determined to bring the ‘Human Element’ back into today’s Recruitment Process as I believe it has been lacking for too long now! I believe that people are the core building blocks of every business but that doesn’t mean that we can treat every ‘block’ the same. I have over 13 years’ experience in the Recruitment Industry and I have specialised in the IT Applications space for most of this time. I have recently decided to flex my entrepreneurial muscle and I have launched my own Sourcing Training Business. I am passionate about raising the standard of Sourcing in Africa.
Sean Cremer
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/seanCremer
LinkedIn: Sean Cremer
Contact: https://seancremer.github.io/
Sean Cremer is a Senior Developer at Derivco. He has worked with SQL Server for nearly two decades on Large OLTP and Data Warehousing Systems and has a wealth of accumulated Database Design and Implementation knowledge.
Sifiso Ndlovu
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/mafiswana
LinkedIn: Sifiso Ndlovu
Contact: http://blogs.selectsifiso.com/
I am a certified Microsoft professional with a Master’s degree in IT Management from the University of Johannesburg. I specializes on a range of enterprise and consumer technologies using open source and proprietary software. I am a member of the Johannesburg SQL User Group wherein I have made several presentations on User Group Meetings and SQLSaturday sessions. I have written for a number of publications including SQLShack.com and SQLServerCentral.com.
Sandesh Nagaraj
LinkedIn: Sandesh Nagaraj
A Certified Data Architect with around 15 years of experience in Data warehouse, Business Intelligence and Database implementation. Sandesh holds MCITP SQL Server in BI, Data Architect certified from Microstrategy etc. He has worked extensively as BI Consultant/Technical Specialist/BI Architect/Sales Engineer/Manager. Sandesh actively participates and speaks at Johannesburg SQL Server User and SQLSaturday events.
Fabiano Amorim
Twitter: - mcflyamorim
LinkedIn: Fabiano Amorim
Contact: http:\blogfabiano.com
Fabiano Amorim is a Data Platform MVP that loves to conquer complex, challenging problems—especially ones that others aren’t able to solve. He first became interested in technology when his older brother would bring him to his work meetings at the age of 14. With over a decade of experience, Fabiano is well known in the database community for his performance tuning abilities. When he isn’t working, he loves to read and spend time with his family.
Anthony Fourie
Twitter: - @AnthonyFourieMS
LinkedIn: Anthony Fourie
I am a Microsoft SQL Server PFE based in South Africa. I love development, troubleshooting and learning new things. I really enjoy the SQL Server community and the Microsoft community at large.
I love pushing myself and my skillset in all things technical and non-technical. I love sports, racing, adrenalin experiences and good times with good people.
Jacques Mostert
Contact: http://sqlinbuddy.wordpress.com/
A family man, Christian, starcraft addict with some SQL on the side.
Working on SQL for a long time, started on V6.5. I have seen way to many versions of SQL/BI tools for any sane person. ‘There is evil here that does not sleep” and as far as I can will help where I can. As the “about” title says I wear sandals (Afrikaans: Plakkies) do not like shoes to my wifes/boss dismay. I enjoy going off-road with my “toyota” and when I am not “sql”ing I will be constructing something from wood.
Uwe Ricken
Twitter: - https://twitter.com/dbBerater
LinkedIn: Uwe Ricken
Contact: http://www.sqlmaster.de
Uwe Ricken is working with IT systems since the 90’s. The primary passion for developments with Microsoft SQL Server expanded in 2007 with his engagement as a DBA for Deutsche Bank AG in Frankfurt am Main. After 6 years of operational experiences as a DBA and over 14 years as a developer of complex database models he achieved the “Microsoft Certified Master – SQL Server 2008” certification which “was” the highest technical certification. In the same year he earned his first award as a Data Platform MVP for his support to the Microsoft SQL Server community in Germany and Europe. Uwe Ricken is a speaker on many international conferences and events and preferred topics are “Database Internals”, “Indexing” and “Development”.
Michael Raam
Data amp; Analytics Principal at Pyramid Analytics
Sponsors
The following is a list of sponsors that helped fund the event: