Nr: 332
SQLSaturday #332 - Minnesota 2014
SessionID: 10519
Structured Ad Hoc Reporting-Case Study of an Oxymoronic Reality
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Other
Speaker: Brian Larson
Title: Structured Ad Hoc Reporting-Case Study of an Oxymoronic Reality
Abstract:
The large franchise corporation in this case study was looking to provide franchisees with a mechanism to create their own custom reports from a PC, Android device, or iPad. In order to minimize training and support, the desired environment was to be highly structured while still providing reporting flexibility. Come see how SSRS and SSAS along with custom .NET code were used to fulfill these requirements and create a solution which franchisees called intuitive, revolutionary, and life changing.
SessionID: 12373
T-SQL: Simple Changes That Go a Long Way
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 1
Speaker: David Valentine
Title: T-SQL: Simple Changes That Go a Long Way
Abstract:
Writing TSQL that performs well requires knowledge beyond proper syntax, sometimes it requires more than just knowing TSQL, and sometimes it takes a bit of rework and ingenuity. There are simple things that you will learn in this session that will improve the performance of your queries. Learn about indexing techniques and reading execution plans to see if the optimizer is using the index. Performance isn't everything though. There are small things you can do to make your TSQL more maintainable too. We will dive into a few TSQL tricks with Common Table Expressions, Table-Valued Parameters, and COALESCE.
SessionID: 12608
How to Argue with Your Infrastructure Admins – and Win
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 1
Speaker: David Klee
Title: How to Argue with Your Infrastructure Admins – and Win
Abstract:
SessionID: 13072
Getting Down with Power Query and Power Map
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 1
Speaker: Dan English
Title: Getting Down with Power Query and Power Map
Abstract:
In this session you will learn about the self-service ETL capabilities that have been added into Excel. See how easy it is to pull in data from the web and integrate it and enhance your existing data to provide useful insights. We will also take a look at the new data visualization capabilities provided with Power Map and see how easy it is to interact with and explore geographic and temporal data. These are two new self-service capabilities that have been added and are part of Power BI, don't miss out!
SessionID: 13264
Rapid Table Restore
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 2
Speaker: Dave Logue
Title: Rapid Table Restore
Abstract:
Restoring a full database just to get one table creates a burden on DBA time, IT infrastructure and SQL resources. Come learn about a solution that can make this process more efficient. Imagine being able to browse backups and storage tier snapshots to find and copy out the table you need without having to use SQL to restore the entire database!
SessionID: 13681
SQL Server Features That Will Blow Your Mind!
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 2
Speaker: Ed Leighton-Dick
Title: SQL Server Features That Will Blow Your Mind!
Abstract:
How many lines of code does it take to generate a running total? How would you find a value in the next row of data - without using a cursor or loop? How can you efficiently store rows of data with a lot of optional fields, and how can you quickly find which of those rows have values? And how can you eliminate locking without resorting to dirty reads? SQL Server has answers for all of these questions, and none requires more than a few lines of code. Give me an hour, and I will blow your mind!
SessionID: 13919
Table Partitions for Archiving
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 2
Speaker: Eric Zierdt
Title: Table Partitions for Archiving
Abstract:
What is Table Partitioning? How can it be used to move large amounts of data quickly? How can it be used with a data archiving strategy to quickly and easily drop archived data from a table? We will discuss the practical applications of table partitioning using scripts to generate new table partitions, move a partition to another table and discussion on how this can benefit you.
SessionID: 14653
Power to the Prototypes: Using Power BI to Deliver Better SQL Reporting
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 2
Speaker: Gina Meronek
Title: Power to the Prototypes: Using Power BI to Deliver Better SQL Reporting
Abstract:
SessionID: 14805
A Date With DAX: Time Intelligence in Tabular and PowerPivot
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 2
Speaker: Greg Baldini
Title: A Date With DAX: Time Intelligence in Tabular and PowerPivot
Abstract:
This session will focus on the time intelligence functions built in to DAX along with writing custom date logic to deal with a range of common reporting requirements.
We will cover the use of the built in functions as well as how to recreate their logic with non-standard calendars.
Some key topics include:
- DAX time intelligence functions
- Date tables
- Filter expressions
SessionID: 14837
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 1
Speaker: Greg Beaumont
Abstract:
SessionID: 15858
Cloudy with a Chance of SQL
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Other
Speaker: Jason Horner
Title: Cloudy with a Chance of SQL
Abstract:
You have heard all of the buzzwords and hype surrounding Microsoft Azure and the Cloud but what is it really and more importantly how can you use it effectively to solve the most important problems facing your organization today. We will look at both Windows Azure SQL Databases and using Azure VM's to host SQL Server.
Let Microsoft Certified Master of SQL Server Jason Horner show you how to apply your existing DBA skills to leverage SQL Server in the cloud.
SessionID: 15989
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Other
Speaker: Jason Strate
Abstract:
SessionID: 16375
SQL Injections and How To Stop Them
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 2
Speaker: Jeff Prom
Title: SQL Injections and How To Stop Them
Abstract:
SQL injections are a technique where malicious users can inject SQL commands into a SQL statement, through web page input. If left unprotected, SQL injections can cause havoc with web applications by compromising security, manipulating data, hoarding system resources, retrieving sensitive data, removing databases and database objects, or taking databases offline! This session will show how SQL injections work, identify if you are being attacked, and cover various prevention techniques and their effectiveness.
SessionID: 16639
Index Methods You're Not Using
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 1
Speaker: Jes Schultz
Title: Index Methods You're Not Using
Abstract:
SessionID: 18392
Intro to Locking and Blocking
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 2
Speaker: Kirby Richter
Title: Intro to Locking and Blocking
Abstract:
Understand the basics of SQL Server locking including lock modes, lock granularity and lock escalation. Also what is blocking, why should you be concerned and what you can do about it.
SessionID: 18954
NoSQL?!? No WAY!
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Other
Speaker: Lara Rubbelke
Title: NoSQL?!? No WAY!
Abstract:
NoSQL?!? No WAY!
Don't worry - the relational database still rules the data kingdom, but the world of data is moving beyond the confines of rows and columns and into a variety of types of systems.
At the end of this session you will be able to dazzle your family and friends with your knowledge and application of the CAP theorem. We'll take a walk through the various types of NoSQL systems and discuss why you would use them. You'll be armed with the right information to understand where document, columnar, key value, or hybrid solutions shine - and when you should avoid them.
SessionID: 19211
The Accidental Report Designer: Data Visualization Best Practices in SSRS
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 2
Speaker: Meagan Longoria
Title: The Accidental Report Designer: Data Visualization Best Practices in SSRS
Abstract:
SessionID: 19661
DANGER: The Art and Science of Presenting
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Other
Speaker: Mark Vaillancourt
Title: DANGER: The Art and Science of Presenting
Abstract:
Is there a great difference in the brain chemistry of someone fleeing a hungry mountain lion and someone presenting to a group of colleagues in a corporate board room? The answer is: NO. Over the past decade, a lot has been learned about the chemistry of the brain and why humans react the way we do to events in our environment. The concept of EQ (Emotional Intelligence) is a compelling and growing concept that applies this knowledge in a set of learnable, improvable skills for leading human beings. While EQ is often applied to corporate leadership, the parallels to presenting are fantastic. This session will explain the basics of EQ and demonstrate how you can apply it to make your presentations better in the following areas: * Crafting better slide decks * Preparing yourself for presenting * Delivering your content * Dealing with the unexpected Understanding and practicing the concepts of EQ can make your presentations a better experience for everyone in the room--including you.
SessionID: 19963
Easy Things to Make SQL Easier
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 1
Speaker: Jennifer McConnell Mark Classen
Title: Easy Things to Make SQL Easier
Abstract:
In this session for beginner/accidental DBAs, we will cover 5 concepts we've come across that have helped make SQL easier to manage. These are practical applications that attendees can start designing and implementing in their environments right away. With a unique approach to presenting, Jen and Mark create an interactive session that you can not only learn from but have fun in as well.
SessionID: 20072
Eureka! Visual deep dive into storage internals
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 1
Speaker: Merrill Aldrich
Title: Eureka! Visual deep dive into storage internals
Abstract:
Sometimes half the battle in computing is just to see what's happening. We will take a visual tour of physical database storage structures, using live demos with the freeware application SQL Server File Layout Viewer and our old friends the DBCC commands as guides. See what happens in a data file when you convert a table from a heap to a clustered index! See fragmentation and the havoc wrought by Shrink! Marvel at the behavior of multiple files and filegroups! Index Rebuilds! Eureka!
SessionID: 21734
Pseudo-Constants in SQL
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 2
Speaker: Riley Major
Title: Pseudo-Constants in SQL
Abstract:
You know you’ve done it. Maybe it was the lucky number 7. Maybe it was an enigmatic X. Maybe you smooshed some words together in ALLCAPS. That should be easier to spot, right? Because some day you might need to change it—in every stored procedure, function, and view.
Magic numbers, codes, identifiers, constants, enumerations. Whatever you call them, all applications have them. Sure it’s quick and easy to sprinkle the values throughout your code, but that breeds mistakes, rigidity, and obfuscation. There has to be a better way!
Other languages give us real constants and enums—with IntelliSense and compilation-level enforcement. Well guess what-- SQL Server does too, sort of. Join us and learn to write clearer, easier to maintain code without sacrificing performance.
SessionID: 22399
Scary Things A Database Owner Can Do
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 1
Speaker: Paul Timmerman
Title: Scary Things A Database Owner Can Do
Abstract:
So you've setup your new SQL Server instance and it’s time to start adding databases to it. You followed security best practices at the instance level, but what about security within each database? Is that something you can control? Well, if like me, you work in a shop that mostly purchases software, then having users with database owner permissions is a reality, and likely not one you can change. But members of the db_owner role can only make changes that would adversely impact their own databases, right? Think again. During this session we’ll review some common database level settings and actions which can have a negative impact across the entire instance. We’ll discuss ways to mitigate these risks and monitor for their occurrence. Come learn how to not let poor choices made by a database owner impact your entire instance.
SessionID: 22683
Mastering queries into XML data.
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 1
Speaker: Rick Bielawski
Title: Mastering queries into XML data.
Abstract:
If you've never queried an XML column you definitely want to attend. After this hour there won't exist an XML element whose value you won't be able to retrieve. If you've been querying for years there is still a fair chance you'll learn something new.
SessionID: 24606
Designing a Restore Strategy
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 2
Speaker: Frank Gill
Title: Designing a Restore Strategy
Abstract:
Do you back up your databases? If the answer is yes (and I really hope it is), do you test your restores? If a table gets dropped at 1:53PM, can you restore the database to 1:52PM using log backups? Can you use the WITH STANDBY parm to apply log backups to a read-only copy of a database? For the answers to these questions and a whole lot more about database restores, plus some nifty scripts, join me for this presentation.
SessionID: 24883
Every Byte Counts: Why Your Data Type Choices Matter
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 2
Speaker: Andy Yun
Title: Every Byte Counts: Why Your Data Type Choices Matter
Abstract:
SessionID: 25797
Using PowerPivot to Drive Quality into ETL Processes
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 1
Speaker: Steve Hughes
Title: Using PowerPivot to Drive Quality into ETL Processes
Abstract:
Throughout the past year, we have effectively used PowerPivot, Data Explorer, and Power View to map, evaluate, and measure our ETL processes. In this session, you will learn how PowerPivot can be a key component in verifying data quality. You will also see how Data Explorer can help you shape data for test harnesses and test plans. Finally, you will see how Power View in Excel 2013 can be used to easily share results of ETL projects, especially during the development process.
SessionID: 26053
How do I create an automated ETL test suite ??
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 1
Speaker: Terry Bunio
Title: How do I create an automated ETL test suite ??
Abstract:
We will review how to create automated tests with a data driven approach by showing how the tests self-generate based upon the data in the Information-Model schema in SQL Server and 4 slender custom tables that define the field data mapping between the source and target.
The last half of the session will be a demonstration of the tests to illustrate how they execute. To do this we will quickly review the functionality of the tSQLt test framework and the stored procedure code we created that generates the tests. We will review the considerable functionality in tSQLt that makes ETL testing and database testing easy and efficient.
We will execute hundreds of tests in the short time during the presentation.
SessionID: 26078
Query Tuning for Developers
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 1
Speaker: Ted Krueger
Title: Query Tuning for Developers
Abstract:
As a seasoned DBA, we often forget the basics of query tuning may be an area others haven’t been introduced to. Tuning can be a mystery for developers and DBAs that are starting out with SQL Server. Each operation and its cost can lead to lengthy research escapades, determining if the work is even worth the time to attempt a change in the overall execution plan. This session is going to discuss the basics of tuning; however, we can't end there. The second half of the session, the discussion portion, will focus on the key operations in the execution plan. The overall goal of the session is to take away knowledge on how to start with a query and use execution plans to refine it and turn it into a finely tuned process.
SessionID: 26549
Practical Powershell for the Harried DBA
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DEV 2
Speaker: Ben Thul
Title: Practical Powershell for the Harried DBA
Abstract:
SessionID: 26587
Protecting SQL Data for Availability and DR
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 2
Speaker: Tim Plas
Title: Protecting SQL Data for Availability and DR
Abstract:
This session provides a comparison of SQL High Availability Disaster Recovery options, presented by a practitioner who has implemented and managed all the SQL High Availability and Disaster Recovery approaches (and various combinations thereof). We will provide an overview of all the various HA DR options, then compare trade-offs for complexity, usability, hardware, licensing, failover speed, initial costs, ongoing support costs, staff skill requirements, etc.
SessionID: 27825
Transactional Replication 101
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 1
Speaker: Wendy Pastrick
Title: Transactional Replication 101
Abstract:
We will cover the players in the game: Pubishers, Subscribers and Distributors, then delve into the data delivery process with Publications, Subscriptions and Articles, finishing up with the Log Reader and how to make sure everything is working and running smoothly.
SessionID: 9143
On-Demand Compute and Analytics with Powershell, Hadoop and Azure
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 2
Speaker: Adam Jorgensen
Title: On-Demand Compute and Analytics with Powershell, Hadoop and Azure
Abstract:
SessionID: 9489
SSIS Deployment and Configuration
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI 1
Speaker: Andy Bolk
Title: SSIS Deployment and Configuration
Abstract:
With the release of SQL Server 2012 we were introduced to a new way of deploying SSIS projects and packages and configuring them at run time. These new features include the project deployment model and the Integration Services Catalog.
This session will discuss the details of these features including:
• Configuring package properties using SSIS Parameters
• Project level connection managers
• Deployment to the Integration Services Catalog
• Creating environments and using environment variables
• Executing packages in different environments
Come and see how easy it is to deploy and configure the same SSIS packages to run in multiple environments.
SessionID: 9617
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 2
Speaker: Andy Galbraith
Abstract:
How often do you review your SQL Servers for basic security, maintenance, and performance issues? If you say never, I'm not surprised - many of the servers I "inherit" as a managed services provider have many gaping holes. It is not unusual to find databases that are never backed up, constant login failures (is it an attack or a bad connection string?), and servers that need more RAM/CPU/etc. (or sometimes that have too much!)
Come learn how to use freely available tools to check your servers for basic issues like backups and CheckDB as well as for more advanced issues like page life expectancy and indexing. If you are responsible in any way for a Microsoft SQL Server (DBA, Windows Admin, even a Developer) you will see value in this session!
SessionID: 9798
Secure Your SQL Server Instance Without Changing Any Code
Event Date: 25-10-2014 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA 1
Speaker: Argenis Fernandez
Title: Secure Your SQL Server Instance Without Changing Any Code
Abstract: