Event Location:
Building A
6700 Jefferson Street
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Abstract:
Have you been asked for an interview for that perfect job? The job that you would love to have on a team that you really want to be a part of? It is time to sharpen those interview skills. Every interview is different. During this session we will talk about my observations from many interviews that I have been a part of. There are many examples in this session on how not to present yourself, during an interview. We may laugh at some of the observations, but there are many lessons to learn. Get an inside look at how hiring managers make decisions, and make sure you know what to look for as the candidate. Have you been tasked with conducting an interview? We will complete the session with some tips on how to make sure that you get the information you need to make a good decision.
Speaker(s): Chris Shaw,
Abstract:
When I was getting started with SQL Server, I struggled with poorly performing queries. I’d spend a lot of time trying to tune the code, but didn’t always make good progress. Soon, I learned that query performance isn’t just the way the SQL is written, it’s also how the indexes are designed and the statistics collected by those indexes. Even then, for far too long, I thought that statistics only contained information on table row counts. But I found out there’s a lot more to statistics than just row counts. In this beginner session, we'll touch on how statistics are created, the different types of statistics, how they’re maintained, and how the Query Optimizer uses them. We will also touch on finding out additional information about your statistics. We’ll use plenty of examples and demos to make it all clear. At the end of this session, you should have a better idea of how SQL Server makes decisions on how to gather data, so that you can write queries that perform better.
Speaker(s): Lori Edwards,
Abstract:
SQL Server Integration Services is full of useful and versatile tasks, components, and containers that allow the ETL developer to easily handle most data movement and transformation issues. However, it's not uncommon to run into ETL need that require more flexibility than what is offered in the native tools of SSIS. Fortunately, Integration Services comes with a couple of tools to overcome most any ETL challenge: the Script Task and the Script Component. In this session, we will explore both the Script Task and Script Component tools within SSIS. We will discuss the reasons why one might need to include scripting as part of an ETL strategy, as well as examining some use cases where scripting is a good fit. We will follow up with several demonstrations of how to solve specific ETL challenges using the Script Task and Script Component in SSIS.
Speaker(s): Tim Mitchell,
Abstract:
The Analysis Services 2012 Business Intelligence Semantic Model (BISM) unifies Multidimensional (OLAP) and Tabular (relational) options for organizational BI. BI professionals can implement Multidimensional cubes, or they can deploy Tabular models, developed by business users, to a dedicated server. Those new to Tabular, or those embarking upon BI for the first time with Analysis Services 2012, may find it difficult to choose between the two paths. In this session, BI Architect, SSAS Maestro and MVP Bill Pearson overviews the nature and design goals of each option, comparing Multidimensional and Tabular features. He then offers guidance on selecting the appropriate model, providing real world examples to illustrate approaches for given scenarios.
Speaker(s): William E Pearson III,
Abstract:
Whether you are a DBA, a developer, or an analyst, there is a good chance that you will have to create reports for coworkers, company executives, or clients. As with any UI design, careful consideration should be given to your data visualization design to ensure you are effectively communicating the intended message and providing a good user experience. While the principles are applicable across reporting platforms and tools, this session will contain demos and examples implemented in Reporting Services using SQL Server Data Tools. Learn how to make information (not just data) the focus of your report and provide your audience with something better than just shiny!
Speaker(s): Meagan Longoria,
Abstract:
The deployment process is frustrating; an object is missing, an object is deployed in the wrong order or the incorrect version. Each database is made up of a lot of objects in different environments. When you create an object like a table or stored procedure, you need to get this object deployed into each environment. Together we will discover how to separate each object for proper order deployment while releasing only objects which have changed. Deployments can cause you trouble but we will provide a reliable deployment and version control process.
Speaker(s): Thomas Norman,
Abstract:
This session will provide a deeper dive into the art of dimensional modeling. We will look at the different types of fact tables and dimension tables, how and when to use them. We will also some approaches to creating rich hierarchies that make reporting a snap. This session promises to be very interactive and engaging, bring your toughest Dimensional Modeling quandaries.
Speaker(s): Jason Horner,
Abstract:
When it comes to the servers in your environment, do you feel alone, afraid, and in the dark ? If we want to know if our servers are healthy, where do we start? It's very easy to feel lost or overwhelmed when you have hundreds, if not thousands, of metrics you can monitor in SQL Server. The Hierarchy of Monitoring Needs provides a clear roadmap for designing your monitoring strategy. This session will review monitoring from a high level, helping you develop a plan from the ground up by addressing critical metrics, business needs, and your overall strategic goals.
Speaker(s): Michael Fal,
Abstract:
The 2012 release of SQL Server promise a variety of delicious new language features to solve problems. After this session, you'll have a taste for all the sweets they've packed into the language including conversions, date time functions, windowing functions, analytic functions and sequences.
Speaker(s): Bill Fellows,
Abstract:
Robots, SQL, Twitter and games! In an ongoing battle across SQLSaturdays, our two Finch bots DAX (represents developers) and DEX (represents DBAs) will compete against each other. You the audience will help determine the winner of the finch bot race by voting real time on twitter for your favorite robot. Challenge your fellow DBA or Developer to a game a laser tag. After all games are over we will use SSIS to pull the twitter data collected by the finch bots and using my favorite BI tools analyze which robot is the winner
Speaker(s): Jeff Renz,
Abstract:
Our company built a system mixing Big Data technologies (hadoop/ElasticSearch) along with SQL Server to make a system that is both highly scalable and cost effective. In this session I’ll walk you through the ETL process of pulling data through sqoop, transforming data in hive and presenting a denormalized table in hive. If you are looking to understand how to get data from SQL Server into hadoop and leveraging parallel architecture this is the session for you.
Speaker(s): Pat Wright,
Abstract:
So you have a SQL Server database, and you want a web site for your tables? Come see how to develop and deploy a simple .NET website against any SQL Server database. See firsthand how to use Microsoft’s Entity Framework, ASP.Net MVC and other tricks to develop a website by writing very little code. Take home the ability to create and deploy a simple website to your own database once this demonstration is seen.
Speaker(s): Gabriel Villa,
Abstract:
Learn the options for encryption in SQL Server, covering hashing, symmetric keys, asymmetric keys, and encrypted communications.
Speaker(s): Steve Jones,
Abstract:
What you need to know about Reporting Services in the Cloud. We will cover benefits, limitations and scenarios that you may or may not have thought about for implementing this into your enviornment or for simply taking advantage of the free trial period.
Speaker(s): Leslie Weed,
Abstract:
All data warehouses need a Date dimension to enable analysis by date. Most DW designers will just use a default one provided by the tools, but what if you need to set up custom holidays or want different calendars, such as Fiscal or Julian? You can have any Date dimension you want by using a single SQL script that can be modified and rerun as necessary to update the dimension. By the end of this session, you’ll be a Time Lord in your own company!
Speaker(s): Steve Wake,
Abstract:
Slow running packages? SSIS consuming all your resources? No idea what it's doing? After attending this session, you will come out with an understanding of how Configuration, Logging, Package settings and deployment work in SQL Server Integration Services. You will also be armed with a list of transformations and perfmon counters to watch out for.
Speaker(s): Bill Fellows,
Abstract:
With SQL Server 2012 comes and new high availability and shared nothing feature. Understand what AlwaysOn Availability Groups are and how they can help your high availability, disaster recovery, and reporting needs with this new addition. This session will demo a high availability environment with failovers with some of the current business intelligence features.
Speaker(s): Reeves Smith,
Abstract:
Reporting has moved to the cloud with the introduction of Power BI. Get the Power with Power Query, Power Map, Power Pivot and Power View which you will learn about while finding out how they all work together with Microsoft Excel and Office 365 to create a Self-Service Business Intelligence application in the cloud.
Speaker(s): Ginger Grant,
Abstract:
You just received a phone call from your boss telling you that a certain web page or report is timing out and your users are furious. You need to quickly diagnose what the problem is. Where do you turn to first? When a query is underperforming, hogging resources or timing out, the first thing you want to examine is the query execution plan. An execution plan provides a wealth of information that can help you quickly diagnose what is wrong. In this beginner level session you will learn what an execution plan is, how to find it, and how to interpret it to see what the query optimizer is doing and find the major pain points
Speaker(s): Jason Kassay,
Abstract:
I don't know anyone who likes it. But the reality is sooner or later you'll have to use XML in your database career. It appears in extended events, ring buffer queries, and more and more in stored procedures and columns. Attend this session to find out what you need to know to leverage xpath, xquery, and unstructured data in administering and developing databases.
Speaker(s): Russ Thomas,
Abstract:
Extended Events, introduced in SQL Server 2008 are here to stay. When combined with the fact that Profiler for Trace is a deprecated feature we're going to need to learn how to use Extended Events to monitor our server. In this session we're going to step through some real-world uses of Extended Events including diving into the backup process (on single and multi-stripe backups), Availability Group event monitoring, and insight into the DBCC CHECKDB process (NEW IN SQL 2014)!
Speaker(s): Seth Washeck,
Abstract:
Did you take apart your Mom's toaster or your Dad's alarm clock just to see how it worked? Ever wonder how that database you built or support works behind the scenes at a cellular level? SQL Server Databaseology 201 is the science concerned with the study of SQL Server databases and their structures down to the very records themselves. This session will explore some of those deep inner workings of a SQL Server databases. The attendee will walk away with a better understanding of how SQL Server databases work which would allow them to build better and faster databases.
Speaker(s): John Morehouse,
Abstract:
Visualizing data can be an important key to understanding a large amount of data. However, there is more than just colors and graphs. There are several considerations that should go into visualizing data so that your users can understand the story of the data.
Speaker(s): Marc Beacom,
Abstract:
Almost everyone's seen it happen - problems due changes made on servers, be it SPs, index rebuilds, or even configuration changes. But what if you could look historically across servers and track down what changes were made when, by who, and from where? It exists, it's built into SQL Server standard edition from 2005-2014, and it's easy to implement. Come learn what Event Notification is and why you'll want it in your environment.
Speaker(s): Michael Bourgon,
Abstract:
Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes when you execute a query? In this unique demonstration, Todd will use a video game engine and will dramatically show The Life Cycle of a Query. We will follow a query from beginning to end and "flythrough" the various SQL Server components all queries must use including the Protocol Layer, Relational Engine, Storage Engine, Buffer Pool and then back out to the client. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the major components and with a conceptual framework to explore the components more in-depth.
Speaker(s): Todd Kleinhans,
This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/reevessmithiii/
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.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmitchell/
Contact: http://www.TimMitchell.net
Tim Mitchell is a business intelligence architect, author, and trainer. He has worked with SQL Server for over a decade, specializing in data warehousing, ETL/SSIS, and reporting. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Texas AM at Commerce, and is recognized as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP. Tim is a business intelligence consultant and principal at Tyleris Data Solutions. Tim is an active community speaker and volunteer, having spoken at over 100 events including the PASS Summit, SQLBits, Dev Connections, SQL Intersection, and scores of SQLSaturdays. He blogs at TimMitchell.net, and tweets at @Tim_Mitchell.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbourgon
Contact: http://thebakingdba.blogspot.com
Michael Bourgon started his IT career by performing tech support and managing Sybase databases on Unix starting in 1995, before moving to SQL Server 7... continuing all the way to SQL Server 2017. His focus on automation has led him to such diverse topics as Service Broker, WMI, Table Partitioning, Shell scripting, In-Memory Tables, and Powershell. He's currently a senior DBA with a large healthcare company, dealing with millions of transactions of day and managing hundreds of servers. In his spare time he rides a bicycle, reads science fiction, blogs about SQL Server and Baking, and tries to raise his daughter to be a geek, too.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/russ-thomas/59/601/4b2/
Contact: http://www.sqljudo.com
Prior to focusing full time on IT Management and Database Administration in the Denver Colorado financial sector, Russ spent several years in law enforcement including four as a training Sergeant and Washington CJTC Instructor specializing in Emergency Vehicle Driving at Portland Intl Raceway. An experienced public speaker and trainer, Russ also has two decades of hands on IT work and leadership experience. Russ is a SQL Server Data Platform MCSE and is active in the SQLSaturday community.
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/swasheck
Contact: http://swasheck.wordpress.com
Seth Washeck, SentryOne senior solutions engineer, is a longtime SQL Server DBA, active member of the Denver SQL Server User Group, and frequent speaker at SentryOne events. He was formerly senior SQL Server DBA at OppenheimerFunds, and DBA of Baxter Healthcare.
Contact: http://sqlrus.com
John Morehouse is currently a Database Architect/Engineer with Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha, Nebraska. He is one of the leaders of the Omaha SQL/BI User group and and a frequent speaker at SQLSaturday's as well as other conferences. In his spare time, you can find John running after one of his two sons or working on his 113 year old house.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-grant-3a177b157/
Contact: http://www.DesertIsleSQL.com
Ginger Grant manages the consultancy Desert Isle Group and shares what she has learned while working with data technology to people around the world. As a Microsoft MVP in Data Platform, Microsoft Certified Trainer and an instructor on DataCamp, she focuses on guiding clients to create solutions using the entire Microsoft Data Stack, which includes SQL Server, Power BI, and Azure Data Cloud components. When not working, she protypes the latest pre-release data technologies, maintains her blog http://www.desertislesql.com, and spends time on twitter @desertislesql.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jeff-renz/29/82a/aa4
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.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/patwright
Contact: http://www.sqlasylum.com
Pat Wright has been working in the DBA space for 10+ years. Focusing on Performance tuning and ETL/DW projects. He helped found the local SQL Users group(www.slcsql.com) and founded the Not For profit Organization Utah Geek Events(www.utahgeekevents.com) which was founded to help the local community put on events.
Contact: http://dawabi.com/blog.aspx
Marc Beacom is President of DawaBI, a Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence Consultancy firm focusing on Making Data-Driven Decisions Possible. He has been working with SQL Server for over a decade delivering scalable solutions for organizations of all sizes. He has earned several industry certifications and degrees. Marc is an active member of the community and has volunteered for many organizations such as PASS, Denver SQL, Colorado GiveCamp, Camp To Belong, to name a few.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabevilla
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.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/e/fpf/252170891
Contact: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=02C5CD07-7511-4151-A678-3A4A3451F85E
Bill Pearson created Island Technologies Inc. in 1997, and has developed a large and diverse customer base since. Bill#39;s background as a CPA, Internal Auditor, Management Accountant, and SQL Server MVP (BI) enables him to provide value to clients as a liaison between Accounting / Finance and Information Services. Bill has implemented enterprise business intelligence systems over the years for many Fortune 500 companies and focuses his practice upon the integrated Microsoft Business Intelligence
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jasonkassay
Contact: http://www.JasonKassay.com
Jason Kassay is a database administrator, software engineer amp; speaker from Colorado with over 12 years of experience. He is passionate about SQL Server, programming, release process, automation amp; performance tuning. Jason is an active member of the SQL Server community amp; volunteers/presents at events such as Colorado User Groups, SQLSaturday amp; Colorado GiveCamp. When not tuning databases or coding, Jason will most likely be found spending time with his family, playing hockey or running.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/meaganlongoria/
Contact: http://datasavvy.me
Meagan Longoria is a business intelligence consultant with Denny Cherry Associates, and lives in Denver, Colorado. She is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP. Meagan spends a lot of time thinking about how to use data integration, DAX, and data visualization techniques to make data useful for people. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences at conferences and user group meetings, as well as through her blog (DataSavvy.me).
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/armordba
Contact: https://armordba.com/
Tom Norman is a Database Architect at KPA with a strong fervor to protect data. He works daily to review and improve data protection methodologies while reviewing governing laws affecting finance, healthcare, and personal data. His areas of expertise include encryption, auditing, data identification, and database object deployment. He is the current leader of the PASS Virtualization Group and Vice President of the TRIPASS user group. You can read his blog at https://armordba.com/ and reach him on twitter at @armordba. Tom speaks at a number of SQLSaturday events and SQL Server user groups.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/way0utwest
Contact: http://www.voiceofthedba.com/
Steve Jones is a Microsoft SQL Server MVP and has been working with SQL Server since version 4.2 on OS/2. After working as a DBA and developer for a variety of companies, Steve co-founded the community website SQLServerCentral.com in 2001. Since 2004, Steve has been the full-time editor of the site, ensuring it continues to be a great resource for SQL Server professionals. Over the last decade, Steve has written hundreds of articles about SQL Server for SQLServerCentral.com, SQL Server Standard magazine, SQL Server Magazine, and Database Journal.
Contact: http://www.sqlservertimes2.com
Lori (@loriedwards), training manager at SentryOne, is responsible for all learning strategy and architecture, including building, executing, measuring, and evaluating training for SentryOne. She also provides demos and online webinars for people who use or are interested in using the SentryOne platform. Be sure to check out Lori’s blogs where she shares tips and tidbits from the er years of working as a DBA.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/billinkc
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.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/billinkc
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.
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.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhorner
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
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/todd-kleinhans/0/920/981
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/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/b5lurker
Contact: http://blog.wakebi.com
Steve Wake is currently the Principal BI Developer at Brown and Caldwell and has experience in consulting, advertising, media, manufacturing, retail, charities, telecommunications and financial services organizations using the full on-premises Microsoft BI stack. Recent experience with the Azure services: Analysis Services, Logic Apps, Data Factory, Databricks, Snowflake and Power BI. Steve is also very involved in the SQL community, speaking at events around the world.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfal/
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.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/christophershaw/
Contact: http://chrisshaw.wordpress.com/
Chris Shaw started his database career in 1993. Following the Marines, Chris continued working with databases for companies such as Wells Fargo, Pulte Mortgage, and Yellow Pages Inc. Chris has been writing and speaking about SQL Server for over 15 years at events such as SQL Connections, PASS Summit, and SSWUG Ultimate conferences. Chris received his 5th Microsoft MVP award.
The following is a list of sponsors that helped fund the event.