Event Location:
Goodwill Columbus
1331 Edgehill RD
Columbus, Ohio
Abstract:
Do you have SSAS queries that you feel should be faster? Multidimensional Expressions, or MDX, is the language used to work with Analysis Services. Similar to SQL for the relational engine, MDX is a language for queries and DDL statements on multidimensional cubes in Analysis Services. Troubleshooting slow MDX queries is often challenging because the level of support provided by the tools and the Analysis Services engine is not as mature as that found in the relational engine. This session covers the methods for examining slow queries using the SQL Profiler and Performance Monitor to determine the need for aggregations, caching problems, memory constraints, and so forth. Best practices for optimizing MDX will be examined.
Speaker(s): Craig Utley,
Abstract:
In this session I will give an overview of how to design a database, including the common normal forms and why they should matter to you if you are creating or modifying SQL Server databases. Data should be easy to work with in SQL Server if the database has been organized as close as possible to the standards of normalization that have proven for many years. Many common T-SQL programming "difficulties" are the result of struggling against the way data should be structured and can be avoided by applying the basic normalization techniques and are obvious things that you find yourself struggling with time and again (i.e. using the SUBSTRING function in a WHERE clause meaning you can't use an index efficiently).
Speaker(s): Louis Davidson,
Abstract:
Clustering is very important technology for High Availability and it is important for DBA to understand benefits and pitfalls. With very few available techniques and a lot of gray areas right decision might help to avoid extra costs. Presentation is unveiling clustering basics, reviews and compares clustering technologies including Microsoft, XCOTO Gridscale, and HP PolyserveMatrix. This presentation can be helpful not only to beginners but to intermediate level DBAs and infrastructure managers.
Speaker(s): Alexander Prusakov,
Abstract:
The database is often viewed as a major performance bottleneck. There are a number of quick, easy, painless techniques that can increase the performance of an application not just by a small amount, but by orders of magnitude. These techniques includes simple indexing techniques, T-SQL techniques, and general database application design patterns that give great gains in performance. In this session, you will learn how to look at a database to identify these problem areas and how to resolve common issues that you will encounter.
Speaker(s): Jeremiah Peschka,
Abstract:
Are you seeking practical, in-depth technical advice for building a BI solution using SSAS? Analysis Services changed tremendously with the advent of SQL Server 2005. It introduced a new way of building dimensions and cubes that required a new way of modeling the solution. This session examines the best practices for properly designing cubes for performance and usability. It discusses some high-level topics but also looks at advanced topics such as alternative approaches to many-to-many dimensions, SCOPE statements, aggregation design, scalability issues, processing techniques, server properties, and more.
Speaker(s): Craig Utley,
Abstract:
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is incredibly powerful and provides a great foundation for building a high-quality data mart. In this session learn tips and trick like how to incorporate unstructured data sources, successfully clean data, and build high-performing slowly-changing dimensions (without using a wizard!).
Speaker(s): Josh Fennessy,
Abstract:
If you are always looking for better ways to deliver value to the business as part of a BI project, make sure you examine the capabilities of PowerPivot. Using existing data and tools, users now have the ability to analyze vast quantities of data without first designing dimensions and measure groups. Users can explore the data and optionally share their analysis with others. See how Gemini opens the power of Analysis Services to non-technical users while still allowing the IT organization to administer and secure the data.
Speaker(s): Craig Utley,
Abstract:
The range of real-world queries that can be performed using set-based TSQL solutions is astounding, but many of these are not well known and if you haven't been shown the light you might never realize what is possible. Come and join me as we delve into the inner recesses and corners of the TSQL envelope using a wide variety of expressions, clauses and techniques.
Speaker(s): Kevin Boles,
Abstract:
DMVs - Dynamic Management Views and Funcations are the DBA’s looking glass into the internals of SQL Server. They will give a DBA a snapshot on how the database is performing and potential problem areas. In this session, we will review a number of DMVs describing the types of information that can be captures and how it might be used. This review will include index statistics, query performance, memory utilization to name a few.
Speaker(s): Paul Hiles,
Abstract:
Microsoft Azure
Speaker(s): Matt Hester,
Abstract:
We all know how important it is to keep a baseline of performance metrics that allow us to know when something is wrong and help us to track it down and fix the problem. We don't always know how to do this easily and consistently. This session will walk you through a series of PowerShell scripts you can schedule which will capture the most important data and a set of reports to show you how to use that data to keep your server running smoothly.
Speaker(s): Allen White,
Abstract:
Beyond database design fundamentals (for example, Normalization) lies the area where you have to create "real" solutions. In this session, I will cover a good number of patterns that we commonly find useful to try to apply to the problem of building a database solution. Ideas like generalization, subclassing, single table domain tables, optional data, and more will be discussed, some of them good, some not so good (don't assume which will be which), but all that are common and/or useful for your database implementations.
Speaker(s): Louis Davidson,
Abstract:
SQL Server 2008 introduced the FileStream object. This allowed developers to resolve an age long dilemma of storing large binary files in the database or accessing them on the file system. SS08 provides the best of both worlds while allowing applications to access the data readily through the FileStream object via Transact SQL or File I/O.
Speaker(s): Sam Nasr,
Abstract:
We are going to examine a variety of oopsies MANY developers fall prey to - some obvious, some fairly subtle and some down right sneaky! Lots of code examples with the bad AND good code presented.
Speaker(s): Kevin Boles,
Abstract:
Dynamic SQL is a misunderstood and much maligned part of a DBA’s tool kit – it can be used to solve difficult business problems, respond to diverse data needs, and alleviate performance problems. Many DBAs reject dynamic SQL outright as a potential source of SQL injections, being poorly performing, or just for being a hacky solution in general. Not so! Jeremiah Peschka has been making extensive use of dynamic SQL throughout his career to solve a variety of problems. He’ll set about dispelling these misconceptions and demonstrate how dynamic SQL can become a part of every DBA’s tool kit.
Speaker(s): Jeremiah Peschka,
Abstract:
With the introduction of the XML data type in SQL Server 2005 a new level of flexibility has been introduced to relational database environments to support loosely structured data. To get that data back requires an understanding of XQuery, the powerful query language written for XML specifically. This session will cover the basics of XQuery and help you get up to speed on this new environment.
Speaker(s): Allen White,
Abstract:
Disaster Recovery for your SQL Environment
Speaker(s): Tim Beamer,
Abstract:
SQL Server Analysis Services is a powerful MOLAP database. Learn how to model relational data going into SSAS to enhance the analytical power of Analysis Services and ensure swift cube processing.
Speaker(s): Dave Rodabaugh,
Abstract:
If you want useful stuff, go to another session. If you're looking for things to do on your production server, you're in the wrong place. Brent will be running around with scissors, doing all kinds of oddball T-SQL stunts that have no business in the business world. If you're the kind of person who loves using a number after the GO statement (like GO 10), then you'll love this session.
Speaker(s): Brent Ozar,
Abstract:
Times are tough even for the best drivers: Helio Castroneves is dancing for money and Danica Patrick is doing ads for what appears to be an adult services company. Maybe it’s time to switch careers, and Brent has just the thing. Use your hard-earned knowledge of high speeds, million-dollar hardware and surviving disastrous crashes to become a SQL Server performance tuner! In this session, Brent will show you why Colin Chapman and Enzo Ferrari would have used index tuning, database mirroring, and other tools that can give you an edge.
Speaker(s): Brent Ozar,
Abstract:
Is your organization trying BI for the first time? Have you tried BI without much to show for it? You're in good company. Gartner says that the majority of BI projects fail. Learn factors for successful business intelligence projects using the Microsoft SQL Server suite of products, including technology selection, architecture, skills and staffing, team structure, develpment methodology, business analysis, and QA.
Speaker(s): Dave Rodabaugh,
This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.
Located in Columbus, Ohio, Dave Rodabaugh has over a decade of experience doing one thing: data warehousing and business intelligence using the Microsoft suite of products. His background as an engineer and exclusive focus on business intelligence has helped clients be successful in both initial-effort and rescued BI projects. He co-owns Atlas Analytics, through which he consults to clients in Ohio and beyond.
Contact: http://content.dell.com/us/en/enterprise/by-service-type.aspx?redirect=1
Tim Beamer has served 17 years in the technology industry in a variety of roles. Whether as a Systems Administrator, Systems Analyst, or Systems Engineer, the solutions developed by Tim have always been in response to mission critical needs either for his customers or the company he worked for. Currently Tim serves as a Technology Evangelist for the Microsoft Consulting Practice at Dell with responsibility for the United States of America and Canada.
Paul has over 20 years of experience in the IT field which includes: programmer, system administrator, technical manger and both an operational and application DBA. He has been working with SQL Server since 2000 starting with version 7.0. He is currently a Data Architect where he specializes in SSIS, SSRS and database design and performance tuning.
Contact: http://www.learnmicrosoftbi.com
Craig Utley is a Senior Architect with CTS and a former Program Manager with the SQL Server Customer Advisory Team (SQLCAT), where he focused on business intelligence. Craig has been involved in the Microsoft BI space since the betas of SQL Server 7.0 and has consulted on over 50 BI implementations worldwide, including the largest Microsoft data warehouse in the world. He is a former MVP in both SQL Server and C# and has written three books and more than 35 articles.
Alexander Prusakov is Sr. SQL Server DBA from Indianapolis, IN. As consultant, he is utilizing his expertise in database design, development, and administration for variety of companies. He provides database administration for enterprise size companies (over 50 servers, over 400 instances, and over 2000 databases) and helps small and medium size companies to re-design and re-develop core databases utilizing MS SQL Server 2005/2008.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/louisdavidson
Contact: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/author/louis-davidson/
Louis Davidson has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years as a corporate database developer and architect. He has been a Microsoft SQL Server MVP for 15 years and has written five books on database design, and contributed to many other SQL Server books as an author and tech editor. He has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. You can read more about Louis at http://drsql.org.
Contact: http://brentozar.com
Jeremiah sees the magic in technology. He knows how to do things now, and he also knows how to think about possibilities. Jeremiah likes to imagine new kinds of indexes, new kinds of teams, new kinds of applications — this means when you need to reinvent something, or get unblocked, you should talk to Jeremiah.
Located in Columbus, Ohio, Dave Rodabaugh has over a decade of experience doing one thing: data warehousing and business intelligence using the Microsoft suite of products. His background as an engineer and exclusive focus on business intelligence has helped clients be successful in both initial-effort and rescued BI projects. He co-owns Atlas Analytics, through which he consults to clients in Ohio and beyond.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/allen-white-sql-server-mvp/5/784/b08/
Contact: http://dataperfpro.com/blog/
Allen White is a Data Platform consultant. He has been both a developer and an administrator, so he understands both perspectives towards database technology. He loves sharing his experiences and helping people learn how to use SQL Server. Allen has spent over 40 years in IT, using SQL Server since 1992, and has been awarded Microsoft’s MVP Award for the last 13 years. Allen was a PASS Director from 2016 - 2018.
Contact: http://www.learnmicrosoftbi.com
Craig Utley is a Senior Architect with CTS and a former Program Manager with the SQL Server Customer Advisory Team (SQLCAT), where he focused on business intelligence. Craig has been involved in the Microsoft BI space since the betas of SQL Server 7.0 and has consulted on over 50 BI implementations worldwide, including the largest Microsoft data warehouse in the world. He is a former MVP in both SQL Server and C# and has written three books and more than 35 articles.
Matt Hester is the Midwest IT Evangelist for Microsoft.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentozar
Contact: https://www.BrentOzar.com
Brent Ozar loves to make SQL Server faster. He created sp_Blitz and the SQL Server First Responder Kit. He shares what he's learned at BrentOzar.com.
Contact: http://www.learnmicrosoftbi.com
Craig Utley is a Senior Architect with CTS and a former Program Manager with the SQL Server Customer Advisory Team (SQLCAT), where he focused on business intelligence. Craig has been involved in the Microsoft BI space since the betas of SQL Server 7.0 and has consulted on over 50 BI implementations worldwide, including the largest Microsoft data warehouse in the world. He is a former MVP in both SQL Server and C# and has written three books and more than 35 articles.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentozar
Contact: https://www.BrentOzar.com
Brent Ozar loves to make SQL Server faster. He created sp_Blitz and the SQL Server First Responder Kit. He shares what he's learned at BrentOzar.com.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/allen-white-sql-server-mvp/5/784/b08/
Contact: http://dataperfpro.com/blog/
Allen White is a Data Platform consultant. He has been both a developer and an administrator, so he understands both perspectives towards database technology. He loves sharing his experiences and helping people learn how to use SQL Server. Allen has spent over 40 years in IT, using SQL Server since 1992, and has been awarded Microsoft’s MVP Award for the last 13 years. Allen was a PASS Director from 2016 - 2018.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/samsnasr
Contact: http://samnasr.blogspot.com/
Sam Nasr has been a software developer since 1995, focusing mostly on Microsoft technologies. He’s a Sr. Software Engineer with NIS Technologies where he consults and teaches clients about the latest .Net technologies. Sam has achieved multiple certifications from Microsoft (MCSA, MCAD, MCTS, MCT), and is the leader of the Cleveland C#/VB.Net User Group since 2003. In addition, he’s the leader of the .Net Study Group, an author for Visual Studio Magazine, and a Microsoft MVP since 2013. When not coding, Sam loves spending time with his family and friends or volunteering at his local church.
Senior Business Intelligence Consultant at BlueGranite, Inc., Josh Fennessy has been working with the Microsoft BI stack exclusivley for the last 5 years. He has earned MCITP in both SQL 2005 and SQL 2008 versions of the tools. Josh is also the chapter leader of the West MI SQL Server Users Group. When he's not building BI solutions, he enjoys spending time with his 6 year old son, slinging lead at the range, and exercising (but never in his underwear. Promise!)
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/thesqlguru
Kevin Boles is a SQL Server expert, working exclusively with the product since v6.5. With over 25 years of database experience and over 45,000 man hours of SQL Server engine experience, he holds many related certifications, is an MCT and was a SQL Server MVP from 2007 to 2012. Kevin has been a very successful independent consultant for over 20 years. His passion is the relational engine, especially designing, building, analyzing and tuning high-performance database applications.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/louisdavidson
Contact: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/author/louis-davidson/
Louis Davidson has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years as a corporate database developer and architect. He has been a Microsoft SQL Server MVP for 15 years and has written five books on database design, and contributed to many other SQL Server books as an author and tech editor. He has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. You can read more about Louis at http://drsql.org.
Contact: http://brentozar.com
Jeremiah sees the magic in technology. He knows how to do things now, and he also knows how to think about possibilities. Jeremiah likes to imagine new kinds of indexes, new kinds of teams, new kinds of applications — this means when you need to reinvent something, or get unblocked, you should talk to Jeremiah.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/thesqlguru
Kevin Boles is a SQL Server expert, working exclusively with the product since v6.5. With over 25 years of database experience and over 45,000 man hours of SQL Server engine experience, he holds many related certifications, is an MCT and was a SQL Server MVP from 2007 to 2012. Kevin has been a very successful independent consultant for over 20 years. His passion is the relational engine, especially designing, building, analyzing and tuning high-performance database applications.
The following is a list of sponsors that helped fund the event.