Event Location:
ACS
160 Clarence Street
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Abstract:
Test Driven Development (TDD) is a design approach which has enabled application developers to write cleaner code. It is relevant for database development as it ensures that code produced using TDD and unit tests will be of higher quality which means interactions with data will be safer. TDD is not a new method of unit testing, it is an essential design practice for improving the quality of your deployed code. In this session it will be shown how we can use TDD to design and write better unit tests using open-source frameworks and industry standard tools. These tools can be run within SQL Server Management Studio which means DBAs can also take advantage of TDD and unit test, to ensure more reliable code is deployed to databases. TDD can result in code that can be deployed more reliably and faster when using DevOps processes such as Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery. A comprehensive DEMO will reveal how Test Driven Development can help you deploy database code safer.
Speaker(s): Hamish Watson,
Abstract:
Previously restricted to Enterprise Edition, partitioning was one of the features pushed down to all Editions in SQL 2016 SP1. With greater availability comes greater responsibility to make sure it is implemented appropriately. This session will demonstrate some of the common pitfalls with implementing partitioning: • how excessive data movement can kill performance • how poor maintenance can negate the performance gains We’ll then look at how to plan and implement partitioning appropriately and some of the corresponding benefits that can be realised from a well implemented and managed partition scheme: • how to automatically maintain a partition scheme • how to implement a sliding window for data loading and archiving • how to plan and implement partitioning to limit data movement Finally, we will consider the additional options open to us with partitioned tables from both the maintenance perspective, and the coding and tuning perspective.
Speaker(s): Martin Cairney,
Abstract:
The scope of the Data Platform is changing with the number of data sources available to businesses today growing and becoming more complex. Data today comes in many shapes, sizes and rates and in many cases no longer can business wait till data is landed before analysing it for business decisions. This session introduces the concept of the Lambda Architecture and the alignment to Microsoft Azure Cloud Services for managing high velocity streaming data. The session will talk to each of the key Azure services that form part of a streaming data pipeline, how they work and demonstrate how a streaming solution can be easily and quickly deployed. The session will walkthrough several examples of real streaming solutions and provide the relevant knowledge and information on how you can easily build your own streaming data architectures!
Speaker(s): Rolf Tesmer,
Abstract:
Azure Machine Learning is integrated, end-to-end data science and advanced analytics solution. It enables data scientists to prepare data, develop experiments, and deploy models at cloud scale. In this session, the audience will learn how to install the Azure ML workbench and how to set it up. Moreover, an introduction on how to write Python code inside it and what packages can be used will be presented. Next the process of importing data from different resources will be explained. The audience will learn how to deploy and how to check the run log inside Azure ML workbench. Two main components of Azure ML workbench: Azure Machine Learning Experimentation and Management Services will be explained. This session contains demos for each practice and all steps will be shown.
Speaker(s): Leila Etaati,
Abstract:
What you feared has come upon you: You’ve been happily building business intelligence solutions the traditional way for years; Finally, the big data curse has caught up with you. Your organization wants to exploit their big data along with their day-to-day transactional data. You are now tasked with storing all this in one place and working your analytics magic on it. You start wondering how and where you would store this data, what kind of hardware you would need and and how you would learn everything from storing to processing to analysis in a short time – after all big data is a different type of beast from transactional data. Fear not, all you need to do is look to the heavens; with Azure Data Lake and Azure Data Lake Analytics, you could get started quite fast. After an introduction to Azure Data Lake, we will dive into how you could perform simple yet power analytics using methods that are familiar with Azure Data Lake Analytics.
Speaker(s): Gogula Aryalingam,
Abstract:
Power BI has become the new Excel for many business users and its ease of use has made it viral within businesses of all shapes and sizes. Many Business Users started using Power BI with minimum / no IT collaboration that started causing concerns especially within larger organisations regarding security, governance, change management, etc. With the risk of facing another spreadsheet hell in a different form, organisations have become increasingly aware of the need to put a governance and control process in place. In this presentation Iman will use his extensive experience in implementing and rolling out Power BI for many organisations to share some tips from his adoption framework for mid to large size organisations.
Speaker(s): Iman Eftekhari,
Abstract:
This session is dedicated to a thoroughly examination of Always On Availability Groups in action. Various demos show how to analyze functionality and performance in the different stages in the life of an Availability Group: Initialization, Synchronization, and even Failover. We will follow the streams of data from insert on the primary to redo on the secondary and thereby gain a deep understanding of the architecture of availability groups with its special queues. We will also see the potential of the performance overhead on the workload and lag of a synchronous replica. Get ready for a pure demo-session using DMVs, Extended Events, Perfmon and Wait Stats methodology.
Speaker(s): Andreas Wolter,
Abstract:
More and more Transact-SQL code is using temporary tables and table variables constructs. These constructs leverage the tempdb system database, which in turn becomes a severe performance bottleneck. This will be particularly "felt" when moving on-premise database solutions into the cloud. In this session we will cover the best practices in how you should be implementing these temporary constructs in your database solutions. We will discuss the differences between temporary tables and table variables, their impact on query performance and tempdb before looking a different implementations and best practices. We will examine a variety of techniques to improve temporary object performance, from hardware to the database engine configuration. Finally we will cover a number of key, proven techniques that can improve substantially performance. With lots of examples and case studies we will show how you can improve query performance by 20x or more.
Speaker(s): Victor Isakov,
Abstract:
Many people (business and IT) already use Power Pivot, Power BI and SSAS Tabular to produce reporting and analytics tools. But did you know that these tools also have their own query language? In traditional databases such as SQL server, it is possible to extract data into a new table. The same is possible using DAX as a query language with a tabular data model. In this session, Matt will introduce the topic and show how you can use DAX Studio to connect to a data model. Once connected, DAX studio can be used to write queries over the tabular data model to start to interrogate the data itself (as opposed to simply aggregating the values into a pivot table or a Power BI report). The learning can then be used to write more complex DAX measures or alternatively it can be used to extract tabular data directly into a table for further analysis.
Speaker(s): Matt Allington,
Abstract:
If you like an interactive and lively sessions them this is the place for you. We’ll look at the background of this term – and see how it has transformed to bring focus to the data professional. We’ll take a peak at what it means for the technology professional as well as what it means for the business professional - and we'll see Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS) and the cloud in action. We’ll look at the different kinds of disciplines that lead to a well-rounded DevOps set up. We’ll have a run through some of the motivations for developing a DevOps mindset and we’ll also hear about some of the arguments for non-adoption. We’ll look at some of the other IT methodologies that we’ve seen emerge over the years and examine exactly what sets DevOps apart from these. Regardless of if you’re never heard this term before or you have strong feeling about the subject – either way – you’ll leave the room with a new perspective and quite likely you’ll have contributed to your fellow delegates kn
Speaker(s): Martin Catherall,
Abstract:
If you are a DBA and want to get started with Data Science, then this session is for you. This demo-packed session will introduce you to the field of Data Science. You will start with R in SQL Server. Then you step into the world of R using R Studio and realise the power of Data Science using Azure Machine Learning. You will learn the basics of R programming language, Machine Learning, real-world analytics and visualisations that businesses need today. In this session you will get a head start about each component and the possibilities that can be achieved with them.
Speaker(s): Manohar Punna,
Abstract:
Azure SQL Data Warehouse is a cloud-based massively parallel database platform, based on the concepts that the Analytics Platform System/Parallel Data Warehouse uses for on-premises extreme performance. While it appears at first glance to be a familiar SQL Server environment, Azure SQL Data Warehouse has a few gotchas and design implications that can bite you (and your data warehouse's performance!) if you're not aware of them. This session will teach you the basic concepts of Azure SQL Data Warehouse, and provide tips and guidance on how to get the most of it.
Speaker(s): Jim McLeod,
Abstract:
In this session, I am going to discuss a few DAX best practices, illustrated by examples derived from real projects. Attendants are going to see why they should follow the prescribed DAX best practices. There are going to be PowerPoint slides and live screen demos.
Speaker(s): Daniil Maslyuk,
Abstract:
Most SQL Server developers and DBAs work with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) all the time. But SSMS is a very capable tool and most users only know how to use a fraction of its features. Join Greg to see his favourite tips and tricks for working with SSMS.
Speaker(s): Greg Low,
Abstract:
Nothing beats having a correctly structured data model - DAX calculations are a breeze. Having the wrong data model can result in slow performance, convoluted expressions or potentially even block you from achieving your desired output all together. This session includes demos of different modelling patterns and shows you how to implement them to solve real world business problems. These techniques apply to Power BI and Analysis Server Tabular
Speaker(s): Grant Paisley,
Abstract:
Power Query is the transformation engine in Power BI. This is the engine that you do all data preparation before loading data into the model. This is the keystone of your Power BI solution. In this session, you will learn what things Power Query can do. M is the language behind the scene of Power Query, you will learn how M can be more beneficial than the Power Query Graphical interface. You will see demos of transformations that you can do with M Code. This session is full of live demos. Prepare to be amazed with what Power Query can do with heaps of demos in this session.
Speaker(s): Reza Rad,
Abstract:
Have your users ever asked if it is possible to update a record in a report, and see the results almost immediately? In this session I will demonstrate how to integrate write back using Power Apps, within a Power BI report. The session will be almost entirely demo based, in which I will demonstrate how to integrate the Power App with the Power BI report. And then show by updating a record, that the data is almost instantly updated within the Power BI report.
Speaker(s): Gilbert Quevauvilliers,
Abstract:
When the number of services is more than 600 in Azure, many questions arise surrounding the different services that can be included in a Business Intelligence Architecture. This session will cover traditional as well as modern Business Intelligence solutions taking advantage of technologies such as Azure HDInsight, Azure Data Lakes or Azure Event Hubs. I will go over the characteristics of the main services that can be implemented in a Business Intelligence solution in the cloud. The demo will include 5 of these services.
Speaker(s): David Alzamendi,
Abstract:
SQLOpsStudio is the new kid in town for the data professional. Is it a replacement for good old SSMS? In this session we will take you on a journey of comparing SSMS and SQLOpsStudio so that you can understand the ins and outs of both these tools, making it easier to know what each brings to the table. In this demo heavy session we not only hear about the differences but we match them up against each other to better learn what each can do.
Speaker(s): Warwick Rudd,
Abstract:
Powershell has been part of Windows for > 10 years and has been part of SQL Server since 2008. In spite of this the adoption among Database Professionals for use in investigating and managing their environments has been low. With the release of the open source DBA Tools module from DBATools.IO, with its 300+ commands, the time has arrived for Database Professionals to embrace PowerShell and upgrade their skills to support the modern Hybrid environment. In this session we will look how to download, install and begin using the power within both this module and Powershell. No prior experience with Powershell required!
Speaker(s): Patrick Flynn,
This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/manohar-punna/15/153/508
Contact: http://www.sqlservergeeks.com/author/manoharpunna/
Manohar Punna is an Data Platform Geek and Vice President of DataPlatformGeeks by passion and a Data Platform Consultant by profession. He is a speaker at various conferences like PASS Summit, SQLBits, DPS. He has authored over 150 blogs and has written a One DMV a Day series which is a longest one day series on any topic on SQL Server till date. Manohar is a product of this community and strongly believes in giving back to the community. So, ask him anything you would like to know and he is happy to learn it with you.
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jimmcleodaustralia
Contact: http://www.jimmcleod.net
Jim McLeod is a Canberra-based SQL Server consultant with Ignia. Coming from a software development background, Jim chose to specialise in SQL Server in 2005, with a particular focus on database performance. Since then, Jim has worked with most aspects of SQL Server on databases of all sizes across a large number of industries, with the focus in the past few years on data warehousing, Azure and Analytics.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaswolter
Contact: http://www.andreas-wolter.com/blog/
Andreas Wolter is a Program Manager for SQL Server- and Azure Security at Microsoft. In this role he is working on Security features of SQL Server, Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance. He is currently focusing on “Separation of Duties”-concepts and RBAC-Integration. He has 18 years of experience with SQL Server before joining Microsoft and is the founder of Sarpedon Quality Lab, the Germany-based company specialized on SQL Server HA, Performance and Security. He is Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) for SQL Server and Microsoft Certified Solutions Master for the Data Platform (MCSM) and was recognized as MVP for multiple years in row.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/gogula
Contact: http://datamaul.wordpress.com
Gogula is a data analytics professional from Sri Lanka, with 14+ years on the Microsoft data platform. He has worked with many aspects of data analytics and BI solutions from architecting, designing, developing and consulting across various industries and verticals. He is Regional Mentor for PASS South Asia, Data Platform MVP, MCSE, former MCT, and MSc in IT. Gogula's passion revolves data analytics and BI; hence enjoys writing, teaching and speaking about the things he works with. He was also involved as an SME for Microsoft certification development. He currently juggles his full time job as Lead Architect while speaking at local and foreign events, along with regular stints at the Sri Lankan Data Community which he co-founded.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalzamendi
Contact: https://www.techtalkcorner.com
Delivering Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Solutions with On-Premises and Cloud technologies since 2011, David Alzamendi is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert and event speaker who solves problems with best practice procedures and the latest technology. David is passionate about the positive impact data can have on our lives, businesses, economy and the environment. He prides himself on using his creativity and optimism to solve what others thought impossible.
LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/pub/leila-etaati/36/46/b03
Contact: http://blog.radacad.com
Leila Etaati is the First Microsoft AI MVP in New Zealand and Australia, as well as a Data Platform MVP. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Auckland and is the co-director and data scientist in RADACAD company with many clients around the world. Additionally, she is the co-organizer of Microsoft Business Intelligence and Power BI Use group in Auckland with more than 1300 members. Leila has also co-organized 3 main conferences in Auckland: SQL Saturday Auckland (from 2015), Difinity (from 2017) and Global AI Bootcamp. She is a data scientist, BI consultant, trainer, and speaker. She is a well-known International speaker to many conferences such as MS Ignite, SQL PASS, Data Platform Summit, SQL Saturday, Power BI World Tour and in Europe, USA, Asia, Australia, and NZ. She has over 10 years’ experience with databases and software systems. Leila is an active Technical Microsoft AI blogger in RADACAD.
LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/hamishwatson8
Contact: http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/the-hybrid-dbas-blog/
Hamish Watson is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and VMware Expert with a passion for efficient database and application deployment using DevOps methodologies. He has 20+ years of IT experience in managing and deploying large scale databases on SQL Server technologies. He has been managing SQL Server since SQL Server 2000, and pragmatic approaches to delivering business value to clients is his career passion. Educating and helping others learn is a driver for Hamish. He is a Director-At-Large on the PASS Board, international speaker, and a repeat guest lecturer at a local university.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rolftesmer
Contact: https://mrfoxsql.wordpress.com/
Rolf has 20+ years IT experience and has been working with the SQL platform since v6.0 (that’s 1994!) and has done just about everything you can around SQL related data and data platforms / architectures ever since then. I have a personal interest in All Things Cloud and Data (Azure, Streaming Data / IoT, Data Warehousing, Machine Learning, Visualisation and SQL Spatial). I have had the opportunity to present at PASS, TechEd, PASS SQL Saturday, PASS Virtual Chapter, SQL User Groups, Big Data Seminars, Microsoft Technology Roadshows, Breakfast Seminars, ++ and enjoy sharing and learning new ideas.
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/mattallington
Contact: http://exceleratorbi.com.au/exceleratorblog/
Matt is a BI Professional with over 30 years’ experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry. He has held senior job commercial and IT roles, always leveraging data to drive success. Matt was the BI Director for Asia Pacific at The Coca-Cola Company before leaving to set up his own consulting business in 2014. Matt is now the Principal Consultant at Excelerator BI and specialises in helping small, medium and large companies leverage Microsoft Excel, Power Pivot, Power BI and SharePoint to deliver rapid business value through Self Service Business Intelligence.
Contact: http://sqllensman.com/blog/
Patrick Flynn is a Senior Database Administrator with 10 years experience in large 24 x 7 enterprise environments. He is a certified master for SQL Server and a regular attendee of the PASS Summit. Has presented at SQLSaturday events in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland, Edmonton and Calgary, Oslo and Cambridge
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martincatherall
Contact: http://martincatherall.com
Martin is a data consultant in Melbourne, Australia, a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, and PASS Regional Mentor for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Martin founded the Christchurch, New Zealand PASS Local Group and lead the group for a number of years before relocating to Melbourne. He has been using SQL Server in various roles since 2000. In addition to anything data related, he enjoys playing the guitar and having fun with his family.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/victorisakov
Contact: http://www.victorisakov.com
Victor Isakov (MCA, MCM, MCSM, MCT, MVP) is a Database Architect and trainer who provides consulting and training services to various organizations in the public, private, and NGO sectors globally. He regularly speaks at international conferences such as Microsoft TechEd/Ignite, PASS Summit, IT/Dev Connections, and SQLSaturdays. Victor has written a number of books on SQL Server and has worked with Microsoft to develop the SQL Server exams and certification. In 2017 he authored "Exam Ref 70-764 Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure (1st Edition)". He is one of only three non-Microsoft, Microsoft Certified Architects in the world.
LinkedIn: http://au.linkedin.com/in/martincairney
Martin has 20 years’ experience in SQL Server technologies. His experience spans both the Database Engine and infrastructure requirements, and Data Warehousing and BI implementations. He has worked across many industry sectors including London’s global financial institutions and both State and Federal Government Departments. He is a SQL Server MVP, MCT and an experienced conference presenter, having presented at PASS Summit, SQLBits, and SQL Saturday events and User Groups round the world
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fourmoo/
Contact: https://www.fourmoo.com/blog
Power BI Data Analytics Consultant with over 12 years experience. From small to enterprise implementations on Azure (Azure Analysis Services, Function Apps, Runbooks, Automation Accounts, SQL Serverless DB) and On-Premise Microsoft Platform (SQL Server, Integration Services, Analysis Services Multidimensional and Tabular, Reporting Services) Recently I have focused on Power BI, with its rapidly changing features and incredible uptake it has allowed me to consult in a variety of different and challenging solutions. I was awarded the Microsoft MVP award for Power BI since 2017. I have spoken at the Microsoft Business Applications Summit (Seattle Atlanta), Power BI World Tour,SQL Saturdays other events.
LinkedIn: http://au.linkedin.com/pub/warwick-rudd/0/956/718
Contact: http://www.sqlmastersconsulting.com.au/Blog
Warwick Rudd is a Microsoft Certified Master – SQL Server 2008 and Principal Consultant at SQL Master Consulting. He is a frequent speaker at local SQL Server User Groups and SQLSaturday events in Australia. When not playing with the SQL stack, Warwick likes to get away to the cold and spend time snowboarding.
Grant Paisley is an Microsoft MVP and founder of Angry Koala, http://angrykoala.com.au a Microsoft Business Intelligence consultancy based in Sydney, Australia. Grant runs the Microsoft Data Wranglers usergroup https://www.meetup.com/microsoft-data-wranglers/ and is an internationally recognized speaker haven spoken at Teched USA, Australia and China on Machine Learning, Reporting Services and Power BI. Data visualization is his specialty. He also co-authored "SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services with MDX", "Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Recipes", and "Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Reporting Services". Hobbies include snow kiting and mountain biking.
LinkedIn: http://nz.linkedin.com/in/rezarad/
Contact: http://radacad.com/blog
Reza Rad is a Microsoft Regional Director, MVP, author, trainer, speaker and consultant. He is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP for nine years from 2011. Reza wrote many books on Power BI subjects including the Power BI from Rookie to Rock Star, and Pro Power BI Architecture. Reza is the invited speaker at the world's well-known conferences such as Microsoft Ignite, Microsoft Business Applications Summit, Ignite Tour, PASS Summit, and many other conferences. Reza is an active blogger and writes regularly about Power BI at https://radacad.com.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/greglow
Contact: http://blog.greglow.com
Greg Low is well-known in the SQL Server community as a mentor, trainer, author, and community leader. He is a certified master for SQL Server, was an instructor in that program, and holds a PhD in Computer Science. Microsoft often calls on Greg to develop data-related content, and to train their staff. He regularly speaks at tier-one conferences internationally. Greg is best known for his SQL Down Under podcast, SDU Tools, and his eBooks and whitepapers. He heads up a boutique consultancy called SQL Down Under in Melbourne Australia. Greg has been awarded as an MVP since 2001.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniilmaslyuk/
Contact: https://xxlbi.com/
Daniil Maslyuk, MCSA, MCSE is a Microsoft business intelligence consultant who specializes in Power BI, Power Query, and Power Pivot; the DAX and M languages; and SQL Server and Azure Analysis Services tabular models. He is the author of the official Power BI exam reference book. Daniil blogs at xxlbi.com and tweets as @DMaslyuk.
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/ieftekhari
Contact: http://www.agilebi.com.au
Iman Eftekhari (MCSE BI, MCITP, CSP) has more than 15 years of experience predominantly in Microsoft BI space. He has been involved in many successful BI projects across the country mainly with financial services, health and the public sectors. He is the co-founder of Agile BI and is passionate about delivering BI projects using Agile methods.
The following is a list of sponsors that helped fund the event.