SQLSaturday #774 - Denver 2018

Event Date: 09/15/2018 00:00:00

Event Location:

  • University of Denver - Sturm Hall
  • 2040 S Race St
  • Denver, Colorado

PDF of Schedule

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Sessions

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


Title: I/O Tuning 101

Abstract: One of the most common problems I have encountered as a DBA is the complaints from users that a particular query is slow, just one query. Many times one that used to run in acceptable time, but that over time has slowed down substantially.

In this session we will show some of the causes for this, with emphasis on I/O requests being too high for the query.

First part of the session will explain how to find these numbers, looking at a few queries with some major performance issues, including explaining why they have a problem.

The second part will focus on how to reduce I/O requests.

All of this can be done without the need for any 3rd party tools, all within the scope of what is available to SQL Server, all versions, all editions, including Azure.

Speaker(s):

  • Anders Pedersen

Track and Room: Application Database Development - 310


Title: Speed Up Development and Testing Using Data Virtualization

Abstract: Constraining everything in development and testing is database size. Storage is a bottleneck, and while faster SSD/Flash is available, it is often too costly due to the size of many databases, especially non-production. More importantly, it takes a lot of time to push terabytes around and time itself is costly. The old joke about “good, fast, and cheap – pick any two” is very true with data.

Because providing full databases for each developer on each project seems unrealistic, for decades everyone has limited themselves to working in shared non-production environments that are refreshed only every few months at best. Conflicts occur, quality suffers. Development is slow and fails to keep up with business needs.

Come learn why data virtualization is the solution to a problem everyone knows.

Good, fast, and cheap – have all three with data virtualization. Clone things easily and quickly, and remove the biggest constraint to development and testing.

Speaker(s):

  • Tim Gorman

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 287


Title: Don’t just code it—Generate It

Abstract: Code Generators are all the rage—BIML, JS frameworks, .NET scaffolding, even the humble templates provide by SSMS for views, stored procedures, functions. Table-driven applications allow one set of code to handle changing business needs. Metadata-driven code generation takes this a giant step further. If you can describe your code with an algorithm operating against a set of data, you can get a computer to produce the code.

  • Source to Target mapping documents can be used to generate the code to effect the mapping.
  • Service Broker activation stored procedures have a clearly defined structure. They can be mass-produced.
  • Standard CRUD stored procedures can be stamped out cookie-cutter fashion.
  • Business rules can be encoded in data and the code to implement them manufactured. Generated code has systematic errors. Fix the errors at the generator. All the code now works. If the code is so boring that a computer can produce it, why not spend your talent doing something interesting?

Speaker(s):

  • Kevin Mackey

Track and Room: Application Database Development - 312


Title: That’s So Metadata: Discover Your Database From the Inside

Abstract: Have you ever needed to learn a new database design and don’t know where to begin? Or are trying to find out why a query doesn’t perform well? Or need to provide security information to auditors or your security team?

SQL Server has a number of metadata facilities available to help you with these tasks, and more. Functions, dynamic management views, and system stored procedures can illuminate details from the smallest column up through an entire SQL Server instance and everything in-between. We will demonstrate metadata techniques to help you:

  • Document your database schema objects such as procedures, functions, tables, columns and indexes
  • Investigate performance and look for bottlenecks
  • Discover metadata to administer your databases backups, index maintenance, and security
  • Apply your own metadata using extended properties

We’ll also demonstrate the new SQL Data Discovery/Classification and Vulnerability Assessment features in SQL Server Management Studio.

Speaker(s):

  • Rob Volk

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 311


Title: Screw DevOps, Let’s Talk DataOps

Abstract: DevOps is the new hot topic for IT, but only answers part of the problem. This session and demo will discuss why data creates continual friction in the DevOps environment and how it must be incorporated into the solution. Reasons for this solution is required: -Data is getting bigger and more complex -Security concerns around critical data is becoming more evident every day -Data is created in silos in many sources, yet consumed in just as many locations, including on-premises and in the cloud.

We’ll discuss the tech, the politics and the challenges of bringing data into DevOps and how to do so more successfully with culture changes, tools, scripting, and virtualization.

Takeaways from this session:

  1. Learn the five principles of Data Ops 2. How embracing a dynamic data platform can eliminate challenges and provide automation. 3. Learn the difference between containers, packages and data pods. 4. Learn how to bridge the gap between data and people, eliminating culture from the scene

Speaker(s):

  • Kellyn Pot’Vin-Gorman

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 234


Title: How to Manage Very Large Databases with SQL Server

Abstract: Are you experiencing challenges managing Very Large Databases (VLDBs), or anticipate challenges do to future growth? In this session, I will provide practical advice on managing very large databases (databases > 1TB) with SQL server, focusing on common problem areas for new and experienced DBAs alike. These problem areas include index maintenance, integrity checks, archival, backups, and restores. We will look at new features available in SQL Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017 which make managing large databases easier, and we will explore some of the challenges and opportunities of managing large databases using SQL Server 2017 on Linux.

Speaker(s):

  • Brian Carrig

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 234


Title: Everything You Need to Know About SQL Server Indexes

Abstract: You probably already know that indexes make your queries go faster. But do you know all the different types of indexes in SQL Server and when to use them? Also with each new release of SQL Server, there are new features that can impact how indexes function and are maintained. Finally, knowing how the different types of indexes work can help you make better indexing choices when tuning your queries. This presentation will review current SQL Server index structures and options, discuss how they work, when they should be used and how to maintain them. Examples of all the index types such as hash, in-memory, columnstore, filtered, etc… will be shown. This presentation is a must see for DBAs, Developers, Application Architects and anyone else who is interesting in maintaining high performance SQL Server applications.

Speaker(s):

  • Janis Griffin

Track and Room: Application Database Development - 310


Title: Consulting/contracting - is it right for me?

Abstract: You have probably worked as a direct hire for a company. You get medical benefits, vacation, and possibly a good 401k. On occasion you might have accepted a contract. The pay might be nicer, but you are concerned because you have less job security, no vacation, and no benefits. Yet, there are some who prefer contracts. We will cover how to negotiate a wage, appear professional, a look at finances, contractual gottchas, taxes and paperwork. Since most are experienced at being a direct hire with a company, this presentation will show the benefits of consulting/contracting, so that you can decide what is right for you and your career path. Presenter has been contracting for 18 of the last 20 years and will share many of his experiences - the successes and the falls along the way.

Speaker(s):

  • Paul Paiva

Track and Room: Professional Development - 235


Title: Microsoft Machine Learning Services

Abstract: SQL Server 2017 Machine Learning Services is more than just R and Python language support for SQL Server. SQL Machine Learning Services provides analytics for any size of data, runs in SQL Server, or alongside Windows, Linux, HDInsight Spark or Hadoop clusters, is simple to administer and allows you to integrate and deploy simply. In this session, learn architecture and deployment options, stand-alone and in-database, along with some real-world use-cases. Learn how to leverage Machine Learning Services with new TSQL language support, training and deploying models, scaling beyond memory with RevoScaleR to generating millisecond predictions in-database. With any size data environment, SQL Machine Learning Services can provide analytics in both an operationally sound and easy to administer paradigm.

A beginner level understanding of Machine Learning and process is highly recommended but not required. Beyond SQL Machine Learning Services, an overview of all Microsoft Machine Learning

Speaker(s):

  • Andrew Loree

Track and Room: Analytics and Visualization - 380


Title: Eyes on the Prize: Simple and Effective Dashboard Visualization Techniques

Abstract: When done right, data visualization informs users quickly and efficiently with a minimum of distraction. When done wrong, we end up with spinning 3D pie charts. In this talk, we will look at techniques for effective dashboard design, minimizing noise and clutter (like spinning 3D pie charts) while providing relevant information to the intended audience. We will see how different types of charts work, build out rules of thumb around which charts to use, and integrate visuals to create a coherent dashboard image. When it comes to dashboards, we will compare and contrast dashboards based on their intended uses, such as interactive dashboards versus TV dashboards. Finally, we will take an awful dashboard and turn it into something which end users will appreciate.

Speaker(s):

  • Kevin Feasel

Track and Room: Analytics and Visualization - 287


Title: A DBA’s guide to full stack performance troubleshooting

Abstract: Performance troubleshooting is a required skill for every DBA. Knowing the deep internals of how a query functions and why SQL Server chose to run it in a certain way is important. Knowing how to design a table or configure a database to squeeze every ounce of performance is our lifeblood.

What if I told you that you may be doing this all wrong? What if all the work and laborious effort put into design or configuration don’t improve the situation because the issue was never in SQL to begin with? Truth be told, the biggest differentiator between a good DBA and a great DBA is knowing the hardware and O/S; not just SQL.

Join me as I guide you through troubleshooting SQL Server performance from tip to toe to demonstrate the common performance problems you never knew you had.

Speaker(s):

  • Daniel Janik

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 233


Title: The Power of Data: The Complete Beginners Data Warehouse Kit

Abstract: For many of us data is scattered in many different systems. We almost all have data that someone wants to compare or track but can’t without a lot of manual manipulation. So, how do you tie disparate systems together? With a Data Warehouse! In this presentation you will get the skills you need to start building your own. We will discuss the basics of what a Data Warehouse is, the tools needed to create, deploy and manage the Data Warehouse process, and the benefits of using the data you collect to manage operational processes and create data visualizations. After attending this session you will be able to return to your job and amaze people with your ability to show them the power of the data!

Speaker(s):

  • Leslie Andrews

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - 275


Title: Amazon Web Services RDS with SQL Server

Abstract: Are you wanting to make more SQL Servers but don’t want to invest in more hardware? Then Relational Database Service (RDS) in Amazon Web Services (AWS) maybe the right choice for you. We will begin with creating a server using the Amazon Web Console, explore how to automate installation through Cloud Formation, show how to administrate the service, and walk through advanced features. Whether you are familiar with AWS or are brand new to it, this presentation should at least give you a good overview to decide if RDS is the right service for you.

Speaker(s):

  • Christopher Wolff

Track and Room: Cloud Application Development Deployment - 233


Title: Beginning Admin: The Care and Feeding of SQL Server

Abstract: Design and development may be exciting, but database administration is absolutely critical (and, reasonably well-paying!) The care and feeding of a server tends to get short-changed or neglected. In this class, we’ll cover the basics of the big five administrator tasks:

  • Backups – You must set up regular backups, to keep copies of your databases…just in case something breaks, or someone makes a bad, bad mistake.
  • Integrity checks – Regularly and automatically check databases for corruption, which is when bits get scrambled, lost, and ruined.
  • Index maintenance – Databases need regular upkeep so they’ll continue to run well.
  • Disk management – It’s actually your job to find out about full disks before they happen. After all, databases grow!
  • Alerting – Alerts tell you what’s wrong, so you don’t have to go looking for problems.

Being a database administrator is a big job, but we can cover the basics in one session!

Speaker(s):

  • Jennifer McCown

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 310


Title: SQL vs NoSQL: a Comparison of SQL vs MongoDB

Abstract: Have you heard of NoSQL, but aren’t really sure what it is? Are you wondering if you’re missing out on something that could satisfy that complex data model problem you haven’t found a good solution for?

We’ll learn about the flavors of NoSql and then dig down into MongoDB, the NoSQL database that drives many websites. Then we’ll get an overview of JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) along with how and why it’s used in NoSQL, focusing on its advantages and disadvantages.

You’ll see how the SQL table structure compares to the NoSQL data structure. After that, we’ll look at examples of storing the same data in both systems and how that data flows to the web page.

We’ll discuss the factors that drive your choice of database along with the trade-offs involved. Then we’ll wrap up by taking a look at Microsoft’s on-premises and cloud efforts in the MongoDB NoSQL space.

Speaker(s):

  • Eric Peterson

Track and Room: Application Database Development - 312


Title: The Anatomy of Select

Abstract: TSQL is one of the most valuable tools any SQL Server professional can add to their tool-set. More aptly, TSQL is a whole chest of tools for the SQL Server professional. One of the most important tools in that TSQL chest is a good understanding of the SELECT statement.

When was the last time you sat down to evaluate a SELECT statement? What actually goes into the processing of that teeny little word? There might be a fair bit more to this simple term than just fetching data from the database. This session covers the simplicity of the select. Then we take it a step further to dive into some of the complexities tied directly to this particular statement.

This session will help the attendee better understand the Select statement. With a more solid understanding of this statement, the attendee can return and implement some of this new knowledge to help improve processing and query response times in their own environments.

Speaker(s):

  • Jason Brimhall

Track and Room: Application Database Development - 312


Title: Data Positioning: Self-Defense or a Brilliant New Architecture

Abstract: The Cloud, streaming data, big data, self-service, machine learning, AI and the internet of things. Clearly we’re not in Data Management Kansas anymore. Data Modelers and Architects have been reacting to wave after wave of demands from these communities with new technologies and methodologies but too often remain grounded in outdated concepts of data management principles. Data Positioning is an evolution of this thinking, allowing Data Managers to deliver value today and in the future.

Speaker(s):

  • Scot Reagin

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - 275


Title: Set Me Up: How to Think in Sets

Abstract: SQL Server is optimized to work in sets, but this is certainly a paradigm shift for someone accustomed to row-by-row operations.

We will look at T-SQL features that can break set-based processing – generally meaning poor performance – and gather empirical evidence to support that assertion. We’ll also look at some constructs to overcome these issues and make your T-SQL scripts run faster and use fewer resources.

Speaker(s):

  • Brian Hansen

Track and Room: Application Database Development - 312


Title: inMemory OLTP for developers

Abstract: With the significant improvements made to in-memory OLTP in SQL Server 2016, it’s natural to expect significant increases in query performance. But what do we do when queries which utilize in-memory tables actually start to perform same or, in some cases, even worse than their equivalent disk based table predecessors? In this session, we are going to take a look at in-memory tables their best use cases as well as development best practices. We will also look at the changes to the indexing design for inMemory based objects and how it differs from existing disk based table indexing. Finally, we are going to cover how to build fast scalable applications which utilize inMemory objects as well as choosing the appropriate indexes for your inMemory objects to give you the performance boost that you have been expecting.

Speaker(s):

  • Konstantin Melamud

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 312


Title: How to Realize Quantify Value from Data

Abstract: As we transition from the information age to the age of insights, data practitioners face the challenge of justifying investment of time, resources, and capital in data initiatives. Data and analytics professionals are increasingly being asked to practice what we preach as data storytellers and answer, what value does my data have?

We will discuss how to create business cases, value statements and return on investment for data projects and programs. We will address the approach to calculating and communicating value throughout the entire project life cycle from conception to execution to evolution with special consideration to each part of the data ecosystem including data governance, data management, data visualization, and analytics.

Speaker(s):

  • Patrick Geselbracht

Track and Room: Strategy and Architecture - 233


Title: Experience SQL Server on Linux and Containers

Abstract: SQL Server 2017 is all about choice. It now runs on the most popular platforms in the world: Windows, Linux, and Docker Containers. In this session we will focus on the specific features, architecture, and guidance for running SQL Server on Linux and Docker Containers. You will walk away with an understanding of how we built SQL Server on Linux and how it runs in a unique way that allows developers to focus on their applications vs the specifics of the design. We will also look at how Docker Containers work so you can see the unique value proposition this provides to developers using SQL Server.

Speaker(s):

  • Bob Ward

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 287


Title: Sponsor Spotlight: COZYROC

Abstract: CozyRoc highlights their products. Session topic TBD.

Speaker(s):

  • Denver SQL Server User Group

Track and Room: Other - 235


Title: Innovative Data Modeling: Make Data Warehousing Cool Again

Abstract: There is much more to life than 3rd normal form and dimensional modeling. Come explore how you can build a data warehouse solution or hybrid solution that is agile in nature. Discover this highly auditable modeling technique used in international banking, manufacturing, insurance and many more industries. Made a mistake? No worries, own your model. Design changes happen and it can be addressed quickly avoiding pain and project delays and ultimately keeping your business happy. Learn how to leverage Master Data Management and Azure Technologies to extend your model for performance, history and reference unstructured data. Let us bust the myth that data warehouses take too long to build and are too hard to modify by adding value to your environment and decreasing delivery time. We will explore how you can use continuous integration and delivery to further maximize value.

Speaker(s):

  • Leslie Weed

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - 275


Title: Real-World Data Movement and Orchestration Patterns using Azure Data Factory V2

Abstract: In this session, we will start with an overview of Azure Data Factory V2 concepts, then show you how you can use metadata to quickly build scalable serverless pipelines to move data from disparate data sources including On-Premises and Platform As A Service. Next, we will look at how to integrate the solution using continuous integration and deployment techniques. Finally, we will look at how to schedule, monitor and log our solution. Whether you are just getting started with Azure Data Factory or looking to make your current data factory robust and enterprise-ready this session will take you to the next level.

Speaker(s):

  • Jason Horner

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - 380


Title: What’s new for Developers - SQL Server 2014-2017

Abstract: Have you been too busy to explore the new developer features in 2014+? This session is for you! We’re going to work through solving problems more effectively using the new capabilities built into SQL Server.

Topics covered will include JSON, string splitting and aggregation, data masking, row level security, graph processing, and too many “minor” features to mention.

Speaker(s):

  • Bill Fellows

Track and Room: Application Database Development - 233


Title: Data Science Tips and Tricks using Python and SQL

Abstract: The practice of Data Science has arrived and as data professionals we’re on the forefront of this change. The data we collect can now be used in new and exciting ways, providing more value than ever before. To get started in this field, a number of tools and methodologies must be employed to help you achieve predictive analytics success with your data. In this session, we will start by providing an introduction to Python, quickly becoming the defacto programming language for data scientists who want to create enterprise-ready solutions. Carlos will then cover predictive analytics using T-SQL and Python, providing a practical understanding of what it takes to develop your own predictive models making the most of the expertise you already have. The session includes an overview of definitions, concepts and terminology, successful applications of predictive analytics, and how predictive analytics fits into an analytics environment.

Speaker(s):

  • Carlos Bossy

Track and Room: Advanced Analysis Techniques - 234


Title: Master Data Management in the GDPR Era

Abstract: Master data management (MDM) is a set of tools and processes that provide visibility into enterprise data and where it is stored and used, while also keeping it current and relevant. MDM is architected in two forms: analytical MDM and operational MDM. In this session, you will obtain a good business and technical understanding of how both types of MDM can help you achieve business clarity across the organization through a data governance strategy to help work within GDPR.

How does GDPR effect businesses inside and outside of the EU? What is required to do business with EU citizens? There are many questions to address today, and those questions necessitate a reliable and accurate overview of not only your data but of individual customers. MDM addresses this necessity and can serve as the technical basis for GDPR compliance.

Speaker(s):

  • Reeves Smith

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - 275


Title: COZYROC: Dynamic Data Flows in SSIS without Programming

Abstract: This session is an introduction to the unique functionality offered by COZYROC to create integration packages that dynamically map columns at runtime. The standard SSIS Data Flow Task can only use static metadata which is defined when the package is initially designed. The mapping of columns is configured and remains unchanged until the package is re-opened and design changes are made, thus costing maintenance time and effort. Data Flow Task Plus extends the capabilities of the standard Microsoft Data Flow task in that it allows you to set up dynamic data flows, thus eliminating maintenance time and effort. Changes to tables and columns are automatically incorporated at run time without the need to change and redeploy the package. Columns and fields are mapped automatically at run time. Furthermore, the initial design time and effort may be greatly reduced when dealing with huge amounts of data in a large number of files and/or databases.

Speaker(s):

  • Diane Schuster

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - 235


Title: Monster Text Manipulation: Regular Expressions for the DBA

Abstract: Regular expressions can help you perform incredible tasks with very little effort. Need to create 1700 logins from an email request? Developers give you a single script with 300 stored procedures filled with table variables instead of temp tables? Need to move 500 databases to a different drive? Any of these tasks can take a long time to code, but regular expressions cuts that work from hours to seconds. I use regular expressions all the time and I have taken many tasks down from several days to just a few minutes. Stop writing code manually and let regular expressions do it for you. Here you’ll learn: • The most useful regular expression commands. • The appropriate times to use regular expressions. • How to use regular expressions to write code for you. • How to incorporate regular expressions into large tasks and combine them with other methods.

Speaker(s):

  • Sean McCown

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 311


Title: Fishing for Answers: Azure Data Lake

Abstract: Did you ever hear someone say “make your data lake your staging area for your data warehouse” or “a data lake can handle any data format” or “if I build a data lake data everyone will use it”? Really? Are these good ideas and true statements? Is there a design strategy that I should follow so I don’t end up with a “data swamp”? Are there tools or techniques to load data into the lake and get data out easily? Can I easily visualize my data in the lake? What about security? And finally, how does a data lake really fit into my BI landscape when I have so many infrastructure and tool options to pick from? This session will demo putting data into a data lake, pulling data, visualizing data, and testing data lake performance. I will evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and implementation approaches. At the end of the session everyone should have a clear picture of what Azure Data Lake is, how to implement it, and is it a good fit for your organization.

Speaker(s):

  • Jeff Renz

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - 380


Title: Automate the Pain Away with Adaptive Query Processing and Automatic Tuning

Abstract: The way you tune your SQL Server workloads are changing. In the past, you would rely on dynamic management views, execution plan cache, and server-side traces or extend events. In SQL Server 2012 we were introduced to Columnstore indexes; In SQL 2014 the cardinality estimator got a huge overhaul. With SQL Server 2016 we were given query store to allow us to get more insight into our performance pains and execution plan changes. SQL Server 2017 gave us Automatic Tuning and Adaptive Query Processing to help automate performance improvements. In this session, we will harness the ways you improve performance into the new so you can automate the pain away and spend more time identifying and tuning pain points that cannot be automated.

Speaker(s):

  • John Sterrett

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 311


Title: The Life Cycle of a Query in Virtual Reality

Abstract: Every day around the world, billions and billions of queries are run using SQL Server. By understanding how queries are run will provide a greater insight into learning how both the relational and storage engines work for better performance and troubleshooting.

This presentation has taken the concept of a flow chart and a mind palace and turned it into a virtual reality (VR) experience. The ability to become immersed and walk around inside of a VR environment is a new and unique way to present and look at information. As data professionals we need to be open to novel displays of technical information and explore what VR can do that for us that we have not been able to do in the past.

The Life Cycle of a Query in Virtual Reality is built using a video game engine from Epic Games called Unreal Engine 4 (UE4).

Speaker(s):

  • Todd Kleinhans

Track and Room: Professional Development - 287


Title: Power BI, from a DBA’s Perspective

Abstract: Microsoft’s Power BI is the new hotness. In this session, you will get your hands dirty and dive into PowerBI and create an actual report, with actual data. You will get to learn from examples from what a DBA has done to implement Power BI in his shop and make his data accessible.

As a DBA, we often need to collect and display data in a friendly and interactive fashion. We will play with some PowerShell to collect data from several systems, store this data in an Azure DB in the Cloud, then point Power BI at this data to display and interact with said data. You will learn a little about PowerShell, Azure SQL DB, Power BI, and how to make these work for you.

Speaker(s):

  • TJay Belt

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 311


Title: Architecting an Analytics Solution on Amazon Web Services

Abstract: You’ve heard of the Amazon Web Services Data Analytics products but unsure where to start? Options are plenty for data ingestion and integration to advance analytics on the cloud. Come to understand some possibilities leveraging Amazon’s cloud infrastructure, platform and software as a service. Take home an introduction to services such as data warehousing, business intelligence, batch processing, stream processing, machine learning, and data workflow orchestration to get starting on a complete cloud analytics solution.

Speaker(s):

  • Gabriel Villa

Track and Room: Cloud Application Development Deployment - 233


Title: Confidence: The fuel for action

Abstract: Confidence is the fuel for action. How often have you thought about wanting to do something and thought you may not be successful at it, so it then became too much work to try? The American Pastor Robert Shuler famously asked a very powerful question: “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” Come explore this exciting topic with me, and we will see what we can accomplish together!

Speaker(s):

  • Melody Zacharias

Track and Room: Professional Development - 235


Title: How to do a SQL Server Health Check

Abstract: This session is about the importance of conducting regular health checks on your SQL Server instances to ensure that they are currently healthy, and continue to remain healthy.

Join me in this deep dive discussion of SQL Server best practices and guidelines about your SQL Server health.

What is a SQL Server health check? Why we should perform a SQL Server health check regularly? What tools we can use to perform a SQL Server health check?

Speaker(s):

  • Carlos Robles

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 380


Title: Azure Intelligent Services

Abstract: Discover the ways Azure transforms AI and Predictive Analytics making it easier and more accessible through services like Azure Machine Learning and pre-built Cognitive Services, while also supporting custom development and deep-learning.

Speaker(s):

  • Amie Mason

Track and Room: Advanced Analysis Techniques - 380


Title: Become the Most Valuable Player: Soft Skills for the Hard Market

Abstract: Whether you are just starting a career, advancing into senior leadership, or trying to woo a potential client, soft skills can be your ticket to success. Often times we focus on showing how smart we are instead of showing what a good team member we can be. We will discuss the role and types of soft skills needed to showcase your X-factor. Need to hone your skills? We will explore innovative and fun ways in which to do just that!

Speaker(s):

  • Angela Tidwell

Track and Room: Professional Development - 235


Title: SQL Server on Amazon Web Services - Elastic Compute Cloud vs Relational Database Service?

Abstract: Amazon web services offers a befuddling number of of different services. Among these are the two major options for running SQL Server on AWS - Elastic Compute Cloud and Relational Database Services. Why would one be picked over the other? What are the limitations and trade offs? We will discuss these questions among others while working through the process of restoring a sample database under both services.

Speaker(s):

  • Rick Lowe

Track and Room: Cloud Application Development Deployment - 233


Title: Introduction to Azure Streaming Analytics

Abstract: This session will cover what is Streaming Analytics and the various use cases. We will demonstrate the creation of a Streaming Analytics process which will output the data to a dashboard for review. The intention is to provide insights in how this technology can potentially be leveraged by the SQL community.

Speaker(s):

  • Warren Sifre

Track and Room: Advanced Analysis Techniques - 380


Title: Implementing a Cloud Analytics Solution: Options, Costs and More

Abstract: If you’ve looked at the cloud, you’ve realized the large number of options you have, to implement a complete cloud analytics solution. You can deploy dashboards, data ingestion and integration and advanced analytics to the cloud that will empower data-driven decisions for your organizations. This talk will discuss and review options you have, to run Cloud Analytic Solutions on Azure.

Speaker(s):

  • Marc Beacom

Track and Room: BI Platform Architecture, Development Administration - 275


Title: Power BI Development Best Practices

Abstract: Are you a developer or analyst, creating Power BI reports that will be shared across teams or even your entire organization? Have you given the structure of your Power BI data model any thought, what the best way is to ingest the data or whether you should have more than one table/entity in your data model?

In this session we will take a brief look at all of the considerations and best practices when developing Power BI models, reports and dashboards.

Speaker(s):

  • Martin Schoombee

Track and Room: BI Information Delivery - 275


Title: Exploring the SQL Server Powershell Module

Abstract: A big hurdle for using Powershell and SQL Server together is the SQLPS module. Both old and new users of Powershell don’t completely understand its capabilities. In this session, we’ll talk about the cmdlets you may not know about, tricks to save time using the provider, and even a few gotchas on how the provider works that can save you some time and energy. When we’re finished, you will have a deeper understanding of how you can use SQL Server and Powershell together.

Speaker(s):

  • Michael Fal

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 234


Title: It’s Time for a Change: Temporal Table Support in SQL Server 2016/17

Abstract: Without temporal tables (AKA history tables), we can only see the current version of data. We can’t see rows that have been deleted or rows as they existed before the latest update. The temporal table support in SQL Server 2016 gives us the ability to create system-maintained “history” tables to track all changes to the table data.

In this session we’ll discuss how you can benefit from temporal support in your tables, how to implement temporal tables in SQL Server 2016, and how to write “time travel queries” using the new FOR SYSTEM_TIME clause in a SELECT statement to easily query historical information.

Speaker(s):

  • Vern Rabe

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 234


Title: Understanding and Handling Database Corruption

Abstract: Database corruption is simply a fact of a DBA’s life - if you haven’t seen it yet, you will. Success or failure depends on having a solid plan to deal with different types of corruption. In this session, we will discuss usage of related DBCC commands such as DBINFO, CHECKDB and PAGE. You’ll learn how to monitor for corruption with SQL Agent Alerts and Jobs, and when it’s time to restore instead of repair. After attending this session, you will be able to check for issues such as page corruption or data purity problems, and take the appropriate measures to deal with them.

Speaker(s):

  • David Maxwell

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 234


Title: Ch-ch-ch-changes! How to keep track of what’s happening to your data

Abstract: Join Tim Weigel for a discussion of four ways you can keep track of how your data is changing: Change Data Capture, Change Tracking, Temporal Tables, and good ol’ fashioned triggers. Tim will present a quick overview of each method, including use cases and positives and negatives.

Speaker(s):

  • Tim Weigel

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 312


Title: Monitoring Availability Groups

Abstract: Once you have successfully configured Availability Groups, what comes next? In this session, we will go beyond setup and look at how to monitor your Availability Groups. We will define and cover important metrics and alerts you need to manage a database in an Availability Group.

You will walk away from this session with tools you need to monitor your environment and know how to respond to alerts.

Speaker(s):

  • Tracy Boggiano

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 310


Title: Database best practices for applications

Abstract: Whether you’re an experienced application developer or seasoned database administrator application databases can be, unexpectedly, tricky even when they shouldn’t. SPA, MVC, and form applications can all benefit from a well architected and tuned database. This presentation will outline database best practices that I have derived from over a decade of application development. These practices improve small to large applications and range from heavy database dependent applications to those that don’t seem to benefit from a database.

Speaker(s):

  • Adam Durazo

Track and Room: Application Database Development - 287


Title: SQL Server with Docker Containers

Abstract: An overview of creating SQL Server Containers and how you can clone your databases to Linux Containers. Containers are the future of DEVOPS!

Speaker(s):

  • Marsha Pierce

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 287


Title: #GetModern SQL Server infrastructure with DellEMC

Abstract: Get extreme performance, better protection, and instant repurposing of SQL databases with modern infrastructure from DellEMC.

Speaker(s):

  • Denver SQL Server User Group

Track and Room: Other - 311


Title: Azure SQL Database Performance Tuning

Abstract: When using Azure SQL Database, you’re paying for performance. In this session, you’ll learn what tools and techniques are now available to help you be cost-effective. You’ll see how to use features such as scaling, in-memory OLTP, and columnstore to minimize query run times and optimize resource use. Query Performance Insight and Automatic Tuning will be covered so you know how to monitor your environment and automate tuning. You’ll be ready to get the most performance for the least amount of money from SQL Database.

Speaker(s):

  • Jes Schultz

Track and Room: Cloud Application Development Deployment - 310


Title: That’s bad mkay!

Abstract: We’ve all heard that things like nested views, cursors, and under/over-indexed tables are bad…but why? What is the real cost of the badness that abounds in the database world? What’s really going on when you run that query against a view of a view of a view. How can you quantify what happens when that cursor ends up running the same simple query thousands of times. And how can indexes really impact the way SQL Server decides to solve your queries. In this session we’ll talk about the basics of how to read query plans and use extended events to understand why all these things can be big resource drains on a SQL Server. Good times should be had by all.

Speaker(s):

  • Kris Hokanson

Track and Room: Enterprise Database Administration Deployment - 311


Title: High Availability/Disaster Recovery 101

Abstract: How do you design a SQL Server 2017 infrastructure in order to meet specific Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) service levels? There are many aspects to consider, from technology choices and licensing, to policies and procedures. This session outlines and compares the various HA/DR technologies available in SQL Server 2017, showing how you can combine them to design and build a solution to help meet your HA/DR goals. This session also teaches you how to formulate policies that enable effective use of technology in your organization.

Speaker(s):

  • Glenn Berry

Track and Room: Strategy and Architecture - 310


Title: Moving Past Imposter Syndrome

Abstract: We have heard a lot on recognizing Imposter Syndrome and how to address it. However, what if it’s not Imposter Syndrome after all? We will discuss working scenarios and how you approach or deal with them to determine “is it you or is it me?”

Speaker(s):

  • Wendy Pastrick

Track and Room: Professional Development - 235


Title: Busy is a Four-Letter Word

Abstract: If I ask you, “How are you?”, is your default answer, “I’m so busy!”? Why do we measure our worth by how much we are doing, rather than by the value of what we do? Are we busy doing the truly important things that will bring lasting happiness? What does this have to do with a technical conference? Join Jes as she shares with you how she, too, was too busy for too long, but is learning how to do less, more productive, and have bigger impact.

Speaker(s):

  • Jes Schultz

Track and Room: Professional Development - 235


Speakers

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

Bob Ward

Twitter: - bobwardms

Contact: http://aka.ms/bobsql

Bob Ward is a Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data SQL Server team, which owns the development for all SQL Server versions. Bob has worked for Microsoft for 26+ years on every version of SQL Server shipped from OS/2 1.1 to SQL Server 2019 including Azure SQL. Bob is a well-known speaker on SQL Server, often presenting talks on new releases, internals, and performance at events such as PASS Summit, Red Hat Summit, Microsoft Ready, SQLBits, SQLIntersection, Microsoft Inspire, and Microsoft Ignite. You can follow him at @bobwardms or linkedin.com/in/bobwardms. Bob is the author of the books Pro SQL Server on Linux and SQL Server 2019 Revealed available from Apress Media. Twitter: http://twitter.com/bobwardms.

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.

Reeves Smith

Twitter: - SQLReeves

LinkedIn: Reeves Smith

Contact: http://reevessmith.wordpress.com

Reeves Smith, owner and principal architect of Macer Consulting, is passionate about applying data technologies that empower organizations. Reeves wields his knowledge and experience to lead, design, architect, and teach, working with both data center and business project teams. He approaches every project by first understanding the organization’s business challenges, and then developing a unique approach that targets those business needs accurately and effectively.

Reeves Smith has more than 20 years of experience working on the SQL Server stack. He is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Microsoft Certified Master, and regularly delivers technical presentations at international, regional, and local conferences and user groups.

Denver SQL Server User Group

Denver SQL Server User Group

Kris Hokanson

Kris has been building databases for over 20 years. Since SQL Server 7 he’s been looking for ways to shave a second (or an hour) off any query he comes across. His work experience ranges from small construction firms to fortune 200 Oil amp; Gas corporations. He has designed and administered everything from 10 MB single user databases to enterprise data warehouses using SQL Server and SSIS to consolidate data from hundreds of disparate ERP systems.

Scot Reagin

Twitter: - @SDIScot

LinkedIn: Scot Reagin

Contact: http://sensibledataintegrations.com/blog/

TDWI Certified Business Intelligence Professional Certified Data Vault Data Modeler

More than thirty years of technology experience serving in a wide variety of roles including: Software Designer, Solution Architect, and Operations and General Manager. Experience designing and implementing complete analytic solutions for organizations of many sizes and in diverse industries.

Business intelligence specific experience encompasses all aspects of Enterprise Information solutions including: Information Quality, Enterprise Data Warehousing, Business Analysis Data Marts, and comprehensive visualization applications.

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.

Paul Paiva

LinkedIn: Paul Paiva

Contact: http://paulpaivasql.blogspot.com

Paul has 22 years experience with Microsoft SQL Server. He has worked in the roles of production DBA, database developer, database architect, applications developer, business intelligence and data warehouse developer, and instructor for students aspiring for SQL certifications. He has performed numerous data migrations and supported large databases (3 Terabyte, 1+ billion rows) with high transactions. He is a member of PASS, blogs about lessons learned from a developer’s approach to SQL Server administration, and has been the president of the Boulder SQL Server Users’ Group from January 2009 to present.

His specialty is using a developer’s approach to do DBA tasks.

TJay Belt

Twitter: - @tjaybelt

LinkedIn: TJay Belt

Contact: http://tjaybelt.blogspot.com

TJay Belt is an outdoorsman at heart who enjoys riding dirtbikes, waterskiing, boating, playing racquetball and spending time with his family. When he can’t be out playing, TJay loves to tinker with databases. TJay has been an IT professional for over a decade and a half. Currently serving as a Senior Database Administrator with Imagine Learning. TJay has progressed through several roles in his database career including developer, data guy, database developer, database analyst and DBA.

Marsha Pierce

Twitter: - MarshaPierceDBA

LinkedIn: Marsha Pierce

Marsha Pierce lives in Nashville, TN. She studied Computer Science, Mathematics, and French at Belmont University. She has 23 years of experience as a DBA, which means she has broken and fixed a lot of stuff. Before joining Pure Storage, she was an architect at HCA and Asurion. She is passionate about DevOps, Storage, Performance Tuning, and Standardization.

Vern Rabe

Twitter: - @VernRabe

LinkedIn: Vern Rabe

Contact: http://www.rabedata.com

Vern Rabe is an independent SQL Server consultant and contract trainer in Portland, OR, and leader of the Oregon Data Community user group, formerly OregonSQL. He has attained MCSE, MCITP (both Administration and Development), and MCT certifications, among others. Vern has been passionate about databases since 1992 and has worked with SQL Server since version 4.21a. He provides broad technical SQL Server knowledge gained from the mixture of academic and practical experiences acquired from his classroom instructing and varied consulting contracts. Vern regularly presents technical sessions at SQL Server user group meetings, SQLSaturdays, and PASS Summit.

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.

Daniel Janik

Twitter: - @SQLSME

LinkedIn: Daniel Janik

Contact: http://www.sqltechblog.com

Daniel Janik has been supporting SQL Server for 18 years. Six of those years were at Microsoft Corporation supporting SQL Server as a Senior Premier Field Engineer (PFE) where he supported over 287 different clients with both reactive and proactive database needs. Daniel has presented at many community events and SQLSaturdays.

Kellyn Pot’Vin-Gorman

Twitter: - DBAKevlar

LinkedIn: Kellyn Pot’Vin-Gorman

Contact: http://dbakevlar.com

Kellyn Pot’Vin-Gorman is a member of the Oak Table Network and an Idera ACE and Oracle ACE Director alumnus. She is a Data Platform Architect in Power BI with AI in the EdTech group at Microsoft. Kellyn is known for her extensive work with multi-database platforms, DevOps, cloud migrations, virtualization, visualizations, scripting, environment optimization tuning, automation, and architecture design.

Kellyn has spoken at numerous technical conferences for Oracle, Big Data, DevOps, testing, and SQL Server. Her blog (http://dbakevlar.com) and social media activity under her handle, DBAKevlar, is well respected for her insight and content.

Martin Schoombee

Twitter: - sqlmartin

LinkedIn: Martin Schoombee

Contact: http://www.martinschoombee.com

Martin is an independent Business Intelligence Analytics consultant, helping customers make sense of their data for more than 15 years.

Denver SQL Server User Group

Denver SQL Server User Group

Angela Tidwell

Twitter: - angelatidwell

LinkedIn: Angela Tidwell

Contact: https://www.TidwellTidbits.com

Angela Tidwell is an experienced Data Professional with a love for Data Analytics, Data Science, Power BI, Python, SQL, etc. She is a dynamic and exciting speaker armed with a zest for life and quick wit; her background and unique views on the world provide the backdrop for a plethora of great stories. Utilizing her strong interpersonal skills and verbal/written communications, Angela supports SQLSaturdays across the country and blogs about her experiences in order to help other data professionals grow at TidwellTidbits.com.

Tim Weigel

Twitter: - @timweigel

LinkedIn: Tim Weigel

Contact: http://timweigel.blogspot.com/

I’m an accidental DBA turned full-time DBA, and I’ve been working with SQL Server since 2010. I’ve worked with SQL Server installations ranging from single Express instances all the way up to global enterprise deployments. I’m never going to run out of things to learn!

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.

Kevin Mackey

Twitter: - @kevinjmackey

LinkedIn: Kevin Mackey

Contact: https://kjmackey.wordpress.com

Kevin a software architect with a track record of creative and effective delivery of results for organizations who want to translate data into information.

With a background as a trainer Kevin can explain complex technologies and concepts in easy to understand language. By the same token, he can take complex business problems and express them in terms technology teams can use to derive solutions.

Kevin has a focus on automation of data movement, analysis, information delivery, and of the code to accomplish this.

Eric Peterson

Eric Peterson is a consultant specializing in database architecture with experience in demanding Fortune 100 company environments. He has a Computer Science degree complemented with an MBA, which meshes well with his jobs integrating business information with the systems that process it. He has worked with SQL Server since its inception and was an instructor of SQL courses at a national technical training company. He also speaks are regional SQLSaturday events.

David Maxwell

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

LinkedIn: David Maxwell

Contact: https://dmmaxwell.wordpress.com/

David Maxwell has almost 20 years of experience with SQL Server, with a keen interest in performance tuning, monitoring, and troubleshooting. He has experience in environments as diverse as health care institutions, auto manufacturers, and insurance companies. David has been a frequent presenter at SQLSaturday events around the United States since 2012, as well as a presenter for the DBA Fundamentals Virtual Group, the Performance Virtual Group, 24 Hours of PASS, and the annual PASS Summit. David participates in his local Columbus Ohio PASS Local Group, where he serves on the board of directors as SQLSaturday coordinator.

Christopher Wolff

Twitter: - @tickytong

LinkedIn: Christopher Wolff

Contact: http://sqlred.blogspot.com/

Chris Wolff has been a developer, report writer, and an admin in Microsoft and SQL Server Space since SQL Server 2000 in industries such as telecommunications, green energy, money transfers, and online accounting. He has been an active member of the Denver SQL User Group since 2011 and enjoys learning new things about computers. His interests includes video games, movies, and enjoying time with his wife and 2 kids.

Bob Ward

Twitter: - bobwardms

Contact: http://aka.ms/bobsql

Bob Ward is a Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data SQL Server team, which owns the development for all SQL Server versions. Bob has worked for Microsoft for 26+ years on every version of SQL Server shipped from OS/2 1.1 to SQL Server 2019 including Azure SQL. Bob is a well-known speaker on SQL Server, often presenting talks on new releases, internals, and performance at events such as PASS Summit, Red Hat Summit, Microsoft Ready, SQLBits, SQLIntersection, Microsoft Inspire, and Microsoft Ignite. You can follow him at @bobwardms or linkedin.com/in/bobwardms. Bob is the author of the books Pro SQL Server on Linux and SQL Server 2019 Revealed available from Apress Media. Twitter: http://twitter.com/bobwardms.

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

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.

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.

John Sterrett

Twitter: - JohnSterrett

LinkedIn: John Sterrett

Contact: https://johnsterrett.com/community/

John Sterrett is a MCSE: Data Platform, Principal Consultant, and the Founder of Procure SQL LLC. John has experience presenting at community events, including Microsoft Ignite, PASS Member Summit, SQLRally, 24 Hours of PASS, SQLSaturdays, PASS Chapters, and Virtual Chapter meetings. John is a leader of the Austin SQL Server User Group and is the founder of the HADR Virtual Chapter. John’s community activities can be found at https://johnsterrett.com/community/

Jason Brimhall

Twitter: - sqlrnnr

LinkedIn: Jason Brimhall

Contact: http://jasonbrimhall.info

Jason Brimhall has more than 20 years of experience and has worked with SQL Server 6.5 through SQL Server 2019. He has experience in performance tuning, high transaction environments, and large environments. He is currently a consultant specializing in performance tuning, server analysis, and problem resolution. Jason is a Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) and a Data Platform MVP.

Amie Mason

LinkedIn: Amie Mason

Consultant with a demonstrated history of working with clients across multiple verticals to leverage their data to improve reporting and decision making in their business. Able to quickly assess business requirements and skilled in report design and predictive analytics enabling a direct translation from those requirements to business impact. Broad background includes experience in the public sector, survey design, and grassroots campaign management.

Konstantin Melamud

Twitter: - @kmelamud

Konstantin has over 15 years of SQL Server experience and demonstrates his expertise and commitment to helping SQL Server DBAs succeed through his position as Director of Service Delivery at RDX. In his role, Konstantin is responsible for designing and implementing RDX’s service delivery strategies, including those for SQL Server. Since joining RDX in 2009, Konstantin has proven to be a strong leader and expert in SQL Server database administration, architecture, performance tuning, and business intelligence. He is also a very active member of the SQL Server community and frequently presents at SQLSaturdays and user groups throughout the year. In addition, Konstantin presented during 24 Hours of PASS and at the PASS Summits.

Warren Sifre

Twitter: - WAS_SQL

LinkedIn: Warren Sifre

Contact: http://www.broadstrokeconsulting.com/blog/, http://www.allegient.com

Warren Sifre has been in the IT community since 1998 and has worked in a variety of industries deploying solutions utilizing MS SQL Server in one capacity or another. In 2003, he decided to make SQL Server his mastery and has since developed skills in most defined disciplines of MS SQL. Currently he is a Principal Consultant and Technology Leader with Moser Consulting. He is responsible for BI Solution Architecture and the mentorship of team members. He has been a SQLSaturday Speaker since 2012, Azure Global Bootcamp, and many user groups in 2015 alone. He has a passion for knowledge transfer and solutions architecture, with a keen interested in Info Security.

Melody Zacharias

Twitter: - SQLMelody

LinkedIn: Melody Zacharias

Contact: http://sqlmelody.com

Melody is the Sr. Microsoft Solutions Manager at Pure and has been in love with data since 1991. She has been sharing her passion with the community in technical sessions and blogs since 2014. She has been a Microsoft MVP since 2016, including winning Rookie of the year for Canada that year. This last year, she was elected to the board of directors for PASS.org, the professional association for SQL Server and was awarded Regional Director by Microsoft. She has co-authored 3 books, including, SQL Server 2019 Administration inside out by Microsoft Press.

Carlos Bossy

Twitter: - @carlosbossy

LinkedIn: Carlos Bossy

Contact: http://www.carlosbossy.com

Carlos Bossy (MCTS, MCP BI, CBIP) is a data and cloud analytics architect with 25 years of experience in software and database development. As a principal of Datalere, Carlos focuses on developing BI, Data Science, and Advanced Analytics solutions, including modeling data warehouses and delivering predictive models, integration, and visualization. He has developed warehouses and BI solutions for a variety of industries and state agencies, including health insurance, solar energy, foster care, telecom, and manufacturing.

Leslie Andrews

Twitter: - landrews5807

LinkedIn: Leslie Andrews

Contact: https://www.lace.technology/blog

Leslie Andrews is an IT professional with almost 20 years of experience working with databases, designing databases, as well as designing and developing applications against those databases. 2018-2019 Idera ACE.

Diane Schuster

LinkedIn: Diane Schuster

Diane has worked with COZYROC since 2012. She has attended numerous SQLSaturdays to shine the light on the time-saving and capability-extending components and tasks that COZYROC offers in it’s SSIS+ library. Without even having a background in databases or SQL Server, Diane successfully configures packages in live demonstrations that use COZYROC components and tasks. She believes that, if the toolkit is this easy to use for a novice, then just imagine what a SQL Server expert can do with it!

In Diane’s data networking days, Diane performed a variety of development-related and customer-facing roles for IBM, Lucent Technologies, North Carolina State University and Connectware.

Glenn Berry

Twitter: - GlennAlanBerry

LinkedIn: Glenn Berry

Contact: https://glennsqlperformance.com/

Glenn works as a Principal Consultant for Dr. DMV, LLC in Elizabeth, CO. He was a Data Platform MVP from 2007-2017, and he has a whole collection of Microsoft certifications, including MCITP, MCDBA, MCSE, MCSD, MCAD, and MCTS, which proves that he likes to take tests. His expertise includes DMVs, high availability, hardware selection, performance tuning, and Azure SQL Database. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at University College - University of Denver, where has been teaching since 2000. He has completed the Master Teacher Program at Denver University - University College. He is heavily involved in the SQL Server community, and is a frequent speaker at user groups, SQLSaturdays, and the PASS Community Summit.

Rick Lowe

Twitter: - DataFLowe

LinkedIn: Rick Lowe

Contact: http://dataflowe.wordpress.com/

Rick is a Microsoft Certified Master with more than 20 years of SQL Server experience in a variety of roles. He currently lives in Washington state and works as an independent consultant providing remote performance DBA and performance tuning services for clients in the USA and Canada. His first exposure to SQL Server was as a database developer, but over time he became more and more interested in how the database engine operated… eventually specializing more on performance issues than code.

Rick will work with all things relational, but most enjoys helping smaller companies get better performance from MSSQL, as well as smoothing over relationships between DBA and development teams.

Andrew Loree

Twitter: - @LowOnDiskSpace

LinkedIn: Andrew Loree

Contact: http://www.andyloree.com

Andrew Loree has over nineteen years of database experience with roles in architecture, design, development, and implementation of enterprise-scale SQL Server data solutions, supporting industries from legal e-discovery to manufacturing. Areas of expertise since SQL Server 2000 include data migration and ETL/ELT solutions, disaster recovery planning, high availability service design, licensing and virtualization. Andrew holds fourteen Microsoft certifications, has both a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Computer Science from Wright State University and is a Columbus (Ohio) PASS board member.

Gabriel Villa

Twitter: - @extofer

LinkedIn: Gabriel Villa

Contact: https://extofer.wordpress.com/

Gabriel is a skilled leader, architect, and technical expert focusing primarily on Microsoft technologies and is passionate about open-source technologies for integration, automation, and development. Gabriel’s versatility extends from systems, data and development and leverages hybrid/SaaS/Cloud integration, proven software engineering platforms, and best-of-breed data management and business intelligence solutions.

Originally from El Paso, Texas, Gabriel lives in Colorado Springs with his wife and kids, where he is an Architect for RevGen Partners, volunteers in the tech community and enjoys the Colorado outdoors.

Brian Hansen

Twitter: - tf3604

Contact: http://www.tf3604.com

Brian is a database administrator at Children International in Kansas City. He has been working with SQL Server technologies since 1998, including roles in report development, application development and database administration.

Marc Beacom

Twitter: - MarcBeacom

LinkedIn: Marc Beacom

Contact: https://datalere.com/author/marc-beacom/

Marc Beacom, Managing Partner at Datalere, leverages over two decades of experience to better the data landscape for clients, along with nearly a decade of building and managing productive teams. Marc has led architecture and developed data integration strategies for dozens of Colorado based companies and organizations. Marc maintains an active presence in the Colorado community by volunteering and serving on nonprofit boards, speaking and running user groups.

Anders Pedersen

Twitter: - @arrowdrive

LinkedIn: Anders Pedersen

Contact: http://blog.AndersOnSQL.com

20+ years of experience with SQL Server, from version 6.0 to 2017. Funnily enough, the only certification I have is on SQL 2012, the one version I have never used. Mostly worked at medium sized companies, by choice. Was a consultant for 6+ years, working on anything from facility security systems, background checks, retail PoS systems, to major financial systems. Passion for performance, and teaching people easy ways to better SQL performance.

Adam Durazo

LinkedIn: Adam Durazo

Adam Durazo, Senior Consultant / Developer at Datalere, leverages over a decade of development experience in the medium to small business space, developing on and in any environment to get the business task done. Adam has successfully architected and developed many SAAS applications and is familiar with taking a product from conception to release, including the growing pains of success.

Tim Gorman

Twitter: - @TimGormanTech

LinkedIn: Tim Gorman

Contact: http://evdbt.com

Tim Gorman is a senior technical consultant for Delphix who securely enables masked data virtualization to increase the agility of IT development and testing while ending decades of security risk in SDLC.

Tim has co-authored six books on data warehousing and database administration, has performed technical review on eight more books, and has an author#39;s page on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Tim-Gorman/e/B00BKCTO5E).

Patrick Geselbracht

LinkedIn: Patrick Geselbracht

Patrick Geselbracht is a Solution Principal with Slalom Consulting. His expertise is in Data Warehousing, ETL, Master Data Management, Meta Data Management, Data Governance, Cubes, Reports, Dashboards Mobile BI. He specializes on the Microsoft SQL Server Business Intelligence tool suite including SSIS, SSRS, SSAS (multidimensional and tabular), SSRS, DQS, MDS, and Power BI. As a consultant, Patrick has Industry Experience in Oil Gas, Healthcare, Telecommunication, Insurance, Restaurant, Media, Automotive.

Todd Kleinhans

Twitter: - @toddkleinhans

LinkedIn: Todd Kleinhans

Contact: https://toddkleinhans.wordpress.com/

Todd Kleinhans has been using SQL Server since the last millennium. He has served in different roles across many industries but he’s mainly been a DBA. When not in virtual reality, he likes to speak at PASS sponsored events and volunteers in various groups like PASS, DSSUG, Colorado Virtual Reality and is the President of Denver/Boulder Unreal Engine group. He is on Twitter: @toddkleinhans and blogs at https://toddkleinhans.wordpress.com/

Tracy Boggiano

Twitter: - TracyBoggiano

LinkedIn: Tracy Boggiano

Contact: http://databasesuperhero.com

Tracy Boggiano is a Senior Database Administrator for DocuSIgn. She has spent over 20 years in IT, using SQL Server since 1999, and is currently certified as an MCSE Data Platform. Tracy has worked on SQL Server since 6.5. She has spoken at local user groups and numerous SQLSaturdays. She is currently a co-leader of a TriPASS Local Group in Raleigh, NC.

Tracy also tinkered with databases in middle school to keep her sports card collection organized. She blogs at databasesuperhero.com.

Her passion outside of SQL Server is volunteering with foster children as their advocate in court through volunteerforgal.org and being a mental health advocate as part of the PAIMI NC Advisory Council.

Jes Schultz

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

LinkedIn: Jes Schultz

Contact: https://blogs.lessthandot.com/author/jes-borland

Jes Schultz is a Software Engineer with Microsoft who has experience with a wide range of SQL Server features from version 2005 through 2019, and is on the cutting edge with Azure technologies. Since graduating Fox Valley Technical College with an IT-Programmer/Analyst degree, Jes has worked as an SSRS developer, DBA, and consultant. Before joining Microsoft, Jes was a six-time Data Platform MVP, recognized for her community work. Jes tackles every project and problem with tenacity and her enthusiasm is unmatched in the SQL Server community. In her free time, Jes never stops moving, and counts fitness, coffee, cooking, and travel as essentials in life.

Jes Schultz

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

LinkedIn: Jes Schultz

Contact: https://blogs.lessthandot.com/author/jes-borland

Jes Schultz is a Software Engineer with Microsoft who has experience with a wide range of SQL Server features from version 2005 through 2019, and is on the cutting edge with Azure technologies. Since graduating Fox Valley Technical College with an IT-Programmer/Analyst degree, Jes has worked as an SSRS developer, DBA, and consultant. Before joining Microsoft, Jes was a six-time Data Platform MVP, recognized for her community work. Jes tackles every project and problem with tenacity and her enthusiasm is unmatched in the SQL Server community. In her free time, Jes never stops moving, and counts fitness, coffee, cooking, and travel as essentials in life.

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.

Brian Carrig

Twitter: - @briancarrig

Brian Carrig is a Microsoft Certified Master of SQL Server and is currently a Senior Program Manager on the SQL Server Tiger Team at Microsoft focusing primarily on persistent memory technology and replication. In a previous life, Brian spent some time as an academic and holds a PhD in Computer Science. He is a native of Dublin, Ireland but now lives with his wife and two daughters in Redmond, Washington. If he is not talking about, thinking about or working with technology you will usually find him watching Chelsea FC.

Leslie Weed

Twitter: - @weederbug

Leslie Weed is currently a Data and BI Architect with RevGen Partners in Denver, CO. She has been a SQL Professional specializing in Business Intelligence, data analytics, systems implementation, integration, and solutions delivery for the last 20ish years, including a variety of Enterprise Data Warehouses in various industries.

Carlos Robles

Twitter: - dbamastery

LinkedIn: Carlos Robles

Contact: http://www.dbamastery.com

Carlos Robles is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, a Friend of Redgate, and a technology lover. He has worked in the database management field on multiple platforms for over ten years in various industries.

He has diverse experience as a Primary Consultant and DBA Manager. He is currently working as a Solution Architect, helping customers to solve software/infrastructure problems in their on-premise or cloud environments.

Speaker, author, blogger, mentor, Guatemala SQL User group leader. If you don’t find him chatting with friends about geek stuff, he will be enjoying life with his family or exploring the beautiful outdoors of Colorado.

Jennifer McCown

Twitter: - http://www.Twitter.com/MidnightDBA

LinkedIn: Jennifer McCown

Contact: http://www.MidnightDBA.com/Jen

Jen McCown is CEO of MinionWare, LLC; a Microsoft Certified Master for SQL Server; and an independent consultant. She is Senior Editor at MidnightDBA.com, where she creates training videos, the DBAs at Midnight webshow, blogs, reviews, and podcasts. Jen is a member, volunteer, and speaker in PASS, and the PASS Women in Technology Virtual Group.

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.

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