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SQLSaturday #821 - Cleveland 2019

Start Time (24h) Speaker Track Title
08:30:00 Allen White Architecture Tools Find and Fix those Troublesome Queries
08:30:00 Andy Yun Development T-SQL Tips Tricks to Make Your Life Easier!
08:30:00 Julie Smith Cloud Introduction to Azure Search
08:30:00 James Livingston Database Monitoring Maintenance Pester your SQL Servers!
08:30:00 Leslie Andrews Database Design A Perfect Ten: The Data Model
08:30:00 Jess Pomfret Database Performance - 2 Data Compression: Squeeze Out Some Free Gains
08:30:00 Chris Hyde Analytics Visualization Python in SQL Server 2017
08:30:00 Monica Rathbun Database Performance - 1 Performance Tuning, Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Buck
09:45:00 Thomas Norman Development Encrypting Data within Sql Server
09:45:00 Phillip Labry Analytics Visualization Why do I need Analysis Services?
09:45:00 Jeff Moden Database Performance - 2 “Black Arts” Index Maintenance #1: How the “Best Practice” Methods are Silently Killing Performance
09:45:00 Mike Petrak Database Monitoring Maintenance Ola Hallengren’s Free Awesome SQL Server Maintenance Solution
09:45:00 Spencer Swindell Database Design Applying Data Warehousing Principles
09:45:00 Andrew Loree Architecture Tools Azure Data Studio - The Open-Source, Cross-Platform, Cloud Database Tool for SQL
09:45:00 David Pless Database Performance - 1 Real World Report Server Performance Scalability Strategies
09:45:00 John Morehouse Cloud Azure Basics for the DBA
11:00:00 Jeff Moden Database Performance - 2 “Black Arts” Index Maintenance #2: Better Methods that Can Actually Prevent Fragmentation for Weeks.
11:00:00 Drew Furgiuele Database Design SQL Server Transactional Replication: A Deeper Dive
11:00:00 Aaron King Development Grudge Match: XML vs JSON
11:00:00 Eric Blinn Database Performance - 1 I have Indexes, but do I have the Right Indexes?
11:00:00 Peter Shore Architecture Tools Infrastructure for the DBA: An Introduction
11:00:00 Rayis Imayev Analytics Visualization Power BI with Maps: Choose Your Destination
11:00:00 Erin Stellato Database Monitoring Maintenance Introduction to Query Store
11:00:00 Tim Radney Cloud An Introduction to Azure SQL Managed Instances
13:30:00 David Maxwell Database Performance - 2 Using Extended Events for Wait Stats Analysis
13:30:00 Dave Bland Architecture Tools Wow....there are a ton of Settings in SSMS
13:30:00 Eugene Meidinger Development Introduction to M (a.k.a Power Query)
13:30:00 Jonathan Stewart Analytics Visualization Now you see it, but did you really? Correcting visual fallacies...
13:30:00 Hasan Savran Cloud Building Scalable, Globally Distributed Systems with Cosmos DB
13:30:00 Bert Wagner Database Performance - 1 I Want To Go Faster! An Introduction To Indexing
13:30:00 John Deardurff Database Design A Beginners Guide to Transactions
13:30:00 Amy Herold Database Monitoring Maintenance PowerShell for the DBA
14:45:00 Kellyn Pot'Vin-Gorman Analytics Visualization Taming of the Shrew - Optimizing Power BI
14:45:00 Kimberly StJacques Architecture Tools Data Virtualization - SQL Server 2019 Enhanced PolyBase
14:45:00 Lisa Bohm Database Performance - 2 The Curious Case of the Foreign Key
14:45:00 Lucas Feiock Cloud Lambda architecture design using Azure Databricks for advanced analytics
14:45:00 Eric Blinn Database Performance - 1 "Full Text indexing!" or..."What is that service I never turn on?"
14:45:00 Elizabeth Noble Database Design Using distributed AGs for your migrations
14:45:00 Sourav Mukherjee Development Are you following SQL Server Development Best Practices?
14:45:00 Ed Wagner Database Monitoring Maintenance DBA - What's Most Important
16:00:00 Dave Bland Database Performance - 2 Statistics - Why are they there and what do I do with them
16:00:00 Kevin Feasel Cloud Getting Started with Apache Spark
16:00:00 Matt Gordon Database Monitoring Maintenance How to Keep Your Database Servers Out of the News
16:00:00 Joe Bruno Analytics Visualization Build a Simple OLAP Cube from Scratch
16:00:00 Peter Shore Architecture Tools The Data-Professional’s Junk Drawer
16:00:00 Bert Wagner Database Performance - 1 The Analyst’s Guide To Finding and Fixing Performance Anti-Patterns
16:00:00 Sam Nasr Development 14 T-SQL Functions You May Not Know
16:00:00 Ameena Lalani Database Design Learn History from Temporal Tables

SessionID: 86605

Find and Fix those Troublesome Queries

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 08:30:00 - Track: Architecture Tools

Speaker: Allen White

Title: Find and Fix those Troublesome Queries

Abstract:

Every expert has their own set of tools they use to find and fix the problem areas of queries, but SQL Server provides the necessary information to both diagnose and troubleshoot where those problems actually are, and help you fix those issues, right in the box. In this session we will examine a variety of tools to analyze and solve query performance problems.

SessionID: 87287

T-SQL Tips Tricks to Make Your Life Easier!

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 08:30:00 - Track: Development

Speaker: Andy Yun

Title: T-SQL Tips Tricks to Make Your Life Easier!

Abstract:

Do you spend your days slinging T-SQL code? Want to improve your T-SQL game? If you answered yes, then this session is for you.

This demo-intensive session will showcase a collection of my favorite beginner and intermediate level tips and tricks. We will explore how to identify and fix some common T-SQL anti-patterns, my favorite SSMS productivity tricks, and clever solutions to some common but not easily-coded challenges.

This session targets both developers and DBAs; the only prerequisites are the desire to write better T-SQL code and aim of living an easier life!

SessionID: 87593

Introduction to Azure Search

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 08:30:00 - Track: Cloud

Speaker: Julie Smith

Abstract:

Search engines are NOSQL database management systems dedicated to the search for data content. Other industry examples include Elasticsearch, Splunk, and Solr.

In this session I will introduce the features and use cases for Azure Search, based on an implementation by Innovative Architects. Learn how IA leveraged Azure Search to quickly and easily implement a sophisticated search experience in a web application using our client's product catalog. Topics covered: Creating an Azure Search, Indexes, documents, natural language ability, scoring profiles, facets, and lucene queries.

SessionID: 87621

Pester your SQL Servers!

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 08:30:00 - Track: Database Monitoring Maintenance

Speaker: James Livingston

Title: Pester your SQL Servers!

Abstract:

As DBAs blur the lines between automation and software engineering, they must also employ sound software engineering principals. One of these key principals is testing. And just as you can automate DBA tasks, the same automation can be extended to unit testing.

This session will explore the PowerShell unit testing module Pester and how it can be applied to the automation code that a DBA creates. We'll cover the basics of Pester and how it can be employed by DBAs.

This session will work through some light demos. Familiarity with SQL Server database administration and PowerShell is helpful but not required.

SessionID: 87692

A Perfect Ten: The Data Model

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 08:30:00 - Track: Database Design

Speaker: Leslie Andrews

Title: A Perfect Ten: The Data Model

Abstract:

Do you know what makes a great data model? What does it mean to be Third Normal Form or a Star Schema? When would you use one over the other and why? How can you identify bad designs? In this presentation you will be exposed to good and bad models and learn what you should do in order to create a perfect ten model of your own!

SessionID: 87694

Data Compression: Squeeze Out Some Free Gains

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 08:30:00 - Track: Database Performance - 2

Speaker: Jess Pomfret

Title: Data Compression: Squeeze Out Some Free Gains

Abstract:

Since data compression is now a standard level feature (2016 SP1+) learn how to squeeze a little extra performance out of your databases for free! We’ll cover the types of compression available, the costs and benefits and how to determine good candidates for compression. Once we know what we want to compress we’ll cover three ways to apply it, including the easiest way to compress your whole database to meet best practices with just one line of code!

SessionID: 87704

Python in SQL Server 2017

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 08:30:00 - Track: Analytics Visualization

Speaker: Chris Hyde

Title: Python in SQL Server 2017

Abstract:

SQL Server 2017 has finally arrived, bringing with it a host of exciting new features. Of particular interest to BI practitioners and data scientists is the integration of the Python programming language into the SQL ecosystem. This integration opens up a number of possibilities for in-database analytics and intelligent database applications, so let's get started!

In this introductory session we'll briefly introduce the Python language and then look at how to install and administer Machine Learning Services. We'll start to demonstrate the power of Python by showing you how to create and run simple scripts from within T-SQL. We'll then discuss some of the powerful open source packages that are available to aid your data analyses. Finally, we'll go through some examples of how to use Python to integrate data analytical methods in real-world situations, and wow your customers with the power of analytics!

SessionID: 87707

Performance Tuning, Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 08:30:00 - Track: Database Performance - 1

Speaker: Monica Rathbun

Title: Performance Tuning, Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

Abstract:

Everyone wants to know if there are magic buttons you can push to make SQL Server run faster, better and more efficiently. In this session we will go over some of my go-to performance tricks that you can implement to get the biggest improvement with the least amount of change. When it comes to performance tuning, every second counts. We will cover memory optimization, isolation levels, trace flags, statistics, configuration changes and more. I’ll go over real life scenarios we come across as consultants and the changes we made to fix them.

SessionID: 86310

Encrypting Data within Sql Server

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 09:45:00 - Track: Development

Speaker: Thomas Norman

Title: Encrypting Data within Sql Server

Abstract:

Data breaches abound! Do you want to keep off of the data breach list? What are some of the data privacy laws affecting you? How will encrypting data affect your database performance? What data fields should you encrypt? What else can you do to protect your sensitive data?

In this session, we will review each option to encrypt data within SQL Server, Transparent Data Encryption, Cell Level Encryption and Always Encrypted. The session will deep dive into setting up Always Encrypted encryption and share my experiences implementing the encryption. In addition, the session will review auditing of sensitive data usage.

You will leave the session with a deeper understanding about SQL Server encryption options and how encryption can affect your performance. In addition, you will gather information on how to fully protect and review your sensitive data usage.

SessionID: 86354

Why do I need Analysis Services?

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 09:45:00 - Track: Analytics Visualization

Speaker: Phillip Labry

Title: Why do I need Analysis Services?

Abstract:

Do you have or are you developing a BI roadmap without Analysis Services? Do you write a lot of SSRS reports with SQL queries, views or stored procedures? Have you heard about Analysis Services but don't know if it's a good fit for you? Are you trying to decide whether you should go with Tabular or OLAP? Are you thinking about using Power BI? Are your business users hungry for data? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you probably need Analysis Services.

In this session we will go over use cases for Analysis Services and highlight the differences and strengths of each flavor of SSAS. We will review typical BI architectures and show how adding Analysis Services can turn your report users into happy and self sufficient data analysts. If you have a data warehouse(or even if you don't) and aren't using SSAS, come learn how SSAS will make your users love you.

SessionID: 86385

“Black Arts” Index Maintenance #1: How the “Best Practice” Methods are Silently Killing Performance

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 09:45:00 - Track: Database Performance - 2

Speaker: Jeff Moden

Title: “Black Arts” Index Maintenance #1: How the “Best Practice” Methods are Silently Killing Performance

Abstract:

Most people don’t know it but the current “Best Practice” Methods are actually the leading cause of perpetual logical and physical fragmentation, costly and continuous “Bad” page splits, comparatively insane amounts of log file generation and, in an interesting “Catch 22”, the whole reason for why we have to do so much index maintenance.

This isn’t your typical presentation on Index Maintenance.

In this first of two back-to-back sessions on the subject, we’ll explore what happens to an index in the first year of its life for four different common Fill Factors along with how “Best Practice” methods executed once per week and once per day have their way with you, your indexes, your log files, wasted memory, and the performance of your code even if it’s perfect code.

SessionID: 86895

Ola Hallengren’s Free Awesome SQL Server Maintenance Solution

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 09:45:00 - Track: Database Monitoring Maintenance

Speaker: Mike Petrak

Title: Ola Hallengren’s Free Awesome SQL Server Maintenance Solution

Abstract:

Are you looking for a free, award-winning database maintenance solution that can easily be deployed and managed on many SQL Server instances? Ola Hallengren’s Maintenance Solution is widely used and trusted in the SQL Server industry. As a script-based solution, it is easy to deploy and manage on many SQL Server instances and is highly customizable with many parameters. We will discuss why you may want to choose this solution and how to deploy, manage, and customize this solution. This is something that almost every DBA or database professional can take back to work and benefit from in a very short time.

SessionID: 86962

Applying Data Warehousing Principles

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 09:45:00 - Track: Database Design

Speaker: Spencer Swindell

Title: Applying Data Warehousing Principles

Abstract:

Many data analysts typically begin to work with data as a single flat table. While this works for small datasets, as the size of the data grows these naive methods do not scale. Processing records takes longer, queries become more complex, and introducing new datasets is inconsistent at best. In order to solve these problems, we must take into account the underlying architecture of our data and how it should be modeled. During this talk we will discuss key concepts, patterns, and techniques for designing a data model that is simple to query, scales with your data, and is extendable to new datasets.

SessionID: 87022

Azure Data Studio - The Open-Source, Cross-Platform, Cloud Database Tool for SQL

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 09:45:00 - Track: Architecture Tools

Speaker: Andrew Loree

Title: Azure Data Studio - The Open-Source, Cross-Platform, Cloud Database Tool for SQL

Abstract:

Azure Data Studio (formerly SQL Operations Studio) is the modern, cross-platform database management tool for SQL Server, both on-premise and in the cloud. A simple, clean approach to a UI creates an experience different from other SQL management tools today. Fully integrated intellisense with customizable code-snippets, connection management, and dashboards, Azure Data Studio, provides the T-SQL editor experience most of us expect today. Unlike other tools, Azure Data Studio is 100% open-source, easily extensible, and has full integration to modern source control solutions like GIT.

In this session, we introduce Azure Data Studio and interacting with SQL Server environments. We will focus on productivity comparable to SSMS, shortcuts and time savers, as well as how to leverage source control. Lastly, we will cover extending Azure Data Studio by setting up a development environment, and walking through the process of build and debugging a custom dashboard component, using Electro

SessionID: 88064

Real World Report Server Performance Scalability Strategies

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 09:45:00 - Track: Database Performance - 1

Speaker: David Pless

Title: Real World Report Server Performance Scalability Strategies

Abstract:

In this session we will cover the best strategies to track and improve SSRS / Power BI Report Server performance and scalability. We will cover methods of tracking report performance through DMVs, leveraging the Report Server ExecutionLog3 catalog view, and monitoring Power BI Report Server / Reporting Services using performance monitor (perfmon), and more. We will analyze this information through T-SQL queries in SSMS and Power BI analysis.

We will discuss when to scale out the Report Server and when to focus on the reporting dataset queries that driven through report execution.

We will cover methods of isolating Report Server performance from OLTP activity and solutions to isolate expensive reports when you cannot isolate the OLTP and reporting overhead.

Finally, we will cover Reporting Services and Power BI Report Design techniques to improve report performance and scalability.

We will cover Azure Data Studio extensions, Power BI Dashboards, and examining the exec

SessionID: 89663

Azure Basics for the DBA

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 09:45:00 - Track: Cloud

Speaker: John Morehouse

Title: Azure Basics for the DBA

Abstract:

It's not a question of whether or not the landscape for the common DBA is changing. Without a doubt, it is. Azure offers up a new world of possibilities for DBA's and we should all strive to learn it. In this session, we'll cover some basic knowledge and terminology of Azure as well as how easy it is to incorporate Azure into your environment. We will stand up a new Azure virtual machine as well as a setup SQL DB. You will see how easy it is to accomplish this. This new-found knowledge will help propel your career into the new landscape.

SessionID: 86386

“Black Arts” Index Maintenance #2: Better Methods that Can Actually Prevent Fragmentation for Weeks.

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 11:00:00 - Track: Database Performance - 2

Speaker: Jeff Moden

Title: “Black Arts” Index Maintenance #2: Better Methods that Can Actually Prevent Fragmentation for Weeks.

Abstract:

Most people don’t know it but the current “Best Practice” Methods are actually the leading cause of perpetual logical and physical fragmentation, costly and continuous “Bad” page splits, comparatively insane amounts of log file generation and, in an interesting “Catch 22”, the whole reason for why we have to do so much index maintenance.

This isn’t your typical presentation on Index Maintenance.

In this second of two back-to-back sessions, we’ll learn of several incredibly easy modifications to your Index Maintenance routines to actually prevent fragmentation for weeks rather than perpetuating it, virtually eliminate “Bad” page splits, reduce wasted memory, make your log file and log file backups a whole lot more happy, and increase the overall performance of even perfect code.

We’ll also learn that no simple method is a panacea, what to do about the horror of "expAnsive" updates, and how to make even GUID-keyed indexes work well.

SessionID: 86402

SQL Server Transactional Replication: A Deeper Dive

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 11:00:00 - Track: Database Design

Speaker: Drew Furgiuele

Title: SQL Server Transactional Replication: A Deeper Dive

Abstract:

Transactional replication in SQL Server is not a new, shiny technology. In fact, a lot of people will tell you it's an old one full of nightmares. But don't be too quick to judge; replication still offers a lot of benefits, and most of the problems you might encounter can be quickly diagnosed and fixed if you have a deeper understanding of replication internals.

In this session, we'll discuss the transactional replication model and what it offers. You'll see plenty of examples of how to monitor transactions as they get from your publishers to your subscribers. There will also be examples of how you can change the behavior of your transactions too, and what benefits (and potential pitfalls) these changes offer.

Finally, you'll see examples on how to configure transactional replication in high availability scenarios.

SessionID: 86826

Grudge Match: XML vs JSON

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 11:00:00 - Track: Development

Speaker: Aaron King

Title: Grudge Match: XML vs JSON

Abstract:

Starting in SQL 2016, two rivals entered the ring in a professional fight for format supremacy. XML seems too fat to compete with the newcomer JSON but a fight has begun. JSON doesn't seem experienced enough to have real punching power but does it have the speed to win? Who is the pound for pound format champion? Come watch this action-packed bout between two titans of SQL.

SessionID: 87150

I have Indexes, but do I have the Right Indexes?

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 11:00:00 - Track: Database Performance - 1

Speaker: Eric Blinn

Title: I have Indexes, but do I have the Right Indexes?

Abstract:

SQL Server indexes come in multiple types: clustered, non-clustered, full text and column store. In this session, you’ll get an understanding of what these types are and when each is an appropriate solution. We will explain and demonstrate each type, and you’ll leave this class with a repeatable indexing methodology you can use to improve your database performance.

SessionID: 87218

Infrastructure for the DBA: An Introduction

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 11:00:00 - Track: Architecture Tools

Speaker: Peter Shore

Title: Infrastructure for the DBA: An Introduction

Abstract:

It doesn’t matter if you are a Junior DBA, an accidental DBA or all the way up to a Senior DBA, the infrastructure your SQL Server environment runs on is important. Many among the DBA community came in as developers or perhaps directly into database administration roles it is equally possible that you have been out of the operations world long enough to have fallen out of the loop with what is happening. This session is intended to provide a full stack infrastructure overview so that you can talk shop with your cohorts in operations to resolve issues and maybe even be proactive. We will discuss, in an introductory fashion, hardware, network, storage, virtualization and operating system layers. Additionally, some suggestions as to where to find more information will be provided.

SessionID: 87382

Power BI with Maps: Choose Your Destination

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 11:00:00 - Track: Analytics Visualization

Speaker: Rayis Imayev

Title: Power BI with Maps: Choose Your Destination

Abstract:

A childhood dream to travel around the world fueled by reading Gulliver's Travels stories and Robinson Crusoe attempts to survive on a deserted island. Those books were filled with geographical description and map locations. I think I always loved working with maps and I still do! There is something that could captivate your mind and propel your imagination for traveling when you immerse yourself in maps.

Power BI itself a great tool that could feed your appetite for an adventure using built-in and custom map visualizations. Let's explore them!

SessionID: 87651

Introduction to Query Store

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 11:00:00 - Track: Database Monitoring Maintenance

Speaker: Erin Stellato

Title: Introduction to Query Store

Abstract:

One of the most highly anticipated new features in the SQL Server 2016 release was Query Store. If you've ever had to drop everything to troubleshoot a sudden drop in performance, then this is a feature you want in your environment. In this session we will cover the data collected, how to use the built-in reports to find problematic queries, and walk through plan forcing in Query Store. Get ready to make troubleshooting easier with this feature that’s included in all editions of SQL Server 2016 and higher!

SessionID: 87703

An Introduction to Azure SQL Managed Instances

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 11:00:00 - Track: Cloud

Speaker: Tim Radney

Title: An Introduction to Azure SQL Managed Instances

Abstract:

Have you been hearing about Azure Managed Instances and want to know what all the fuss is about? Come see how Managed Instances is changing how we think about cloud databases. Managed Instances can be considered a hybrid of Azure SQL Database and on-premises SQL Server with all the great benefits of Platform as a Service. You'll see first-hand how easy it is to migrate databases from on-premises to a Managed Instance. We'll explore the differences between Azure SQL Database, Managed Instances, and SQL Server on an Azure VM to help you determine which is the best fit for your organization's requirements. If you've been considering Azure for your organization, this session is for you!

SessionID: 86337

Using Extended Events for Wait Stats Analysis

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 13:30:00 - Track: Database Performance - 2

Speaker: David Maxwell

Title: Using Extended Events for Wait Stats Analysis

Abstract:

When troubleshooting overall server performance, wait statistics are a great place to start. But when your SQL Server hosts a complex set of workloads, it can be difficult to narrow down which queries are causing the most wait, and what types of wait they are causing. Fortunately, SQL Server provides easy ways for targeting which queries are causing you the most wait time. In this session, we’ll learn how to use both Extended Events, and Dynamic Management Views for examining wait statistics from the instance level to the database level, all the way down to the individual query level. We’ll analyze poorly performing queries using a combination of methods including T-SQL queries and SQL 2017’s new XEvent Profiler, and show how to quickly narrow down what SQL Server is waiting for, and why.

SessionID: 86459

Wow....there are a ton of Settings in SSMS

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 13:30:00 - Track: Architecture Tools

Speaker: Dave Bland

Title: Wow....there are a ton of Settings in SSMS

Abstract:

When looking at the options in SQL Server Management Studio, you can easily wonder what they all are. In this session we will cover how to use these options properly and what the impact might be if you change them. We will also cover some of the options that you shouldn't change and why.

SessionID: 86712

Introduction to M (a.k.a Power Query)

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 13:30:00 - Track: Development

Speaker: Eugene Meidinger

Title: Introduction to M (a.k.a Power Query)

Abstract:

When it comes to getting your data into Excel or Power BI, M is your best choice. The M Language (A.K.A Power Query) is a powerful tool for self-service data preparation. However, it's not clear where it fits compared to tools like SSIS or TSQL. It's also not clear what it's limitations are. This session will cover the basics of M and when to use it.

In this session, we'll demonstrate how M is a linear series of transformations, just like a set of steps from a recipe. We'll show how 80% of what you will ever need to do can be done from the GUI. We'll also talk about how to write custom code for that other 20%. By the end of this presentation, you'll be able to take any manual cleanup you do today and turn it into a repeatable process with M.

SessionID: 86922

Now you see it, but did you really? Correcting visual fallacies...

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 13:30:00 - Track: Analytics Visualization

Speaker: Jonathan Stewart

Title: Now you see it, but did you really? Correcting visual fallacies...

Abstract:

Humans see images 60,000x better than text but are we always seeing what is being shown? In this talk, we will look at ways a visual designer can intentionally or unintentionally confuse readers by using techniques that are common but not correct. We will discuss topics such as color theory, chart selection and placement among others. Come join us to learn what makes a visualization clear and learn how to convey your story.

SessionID: 87433

Building Scalable, Globally Distributed Systems with Cosmos DB

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 13:30:00 - Track: Cloud

Speaker: Hasan Savran

Title: Building Scalable, Globally Distributed Systems with Cosmos DB

Abstract:

Azure Cosmos DB is the newest Microsoft Azure product. Developers can build scalable, responsive applications at a global level by using it. Microsoft really believes in this product and wants Cosmos DB to be the database of the future.

In this session, I will cover the following topics in this session Why do we need another database system? How to setup Cosmos DB How much does it cost? Multi-Model Apis Cosmos DB vs SQL Server How to Import Data How to use Cosmos DB Emulator Cosmos DB Limitations

SessionID: 87556

I Want To Go Faster! An Introduction To Indexing

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 13:30:00 - Track: Database Performance - 1

Speaker: Bert Wagner

Title: I Want To Go Faster! An Introduction To Indexing

Abstract:

You’ve heard of indexes and have tried creating them in the past. However, instead of experiencing faster execution times, you saw little performance improvement and were left wondering if you indexed the right columns and whether you would have been better off building an index for every column in your table instead (hint: probably not).

In this session you will learn the basics of creating performance improving indexes. We will discuss how to identify when a performance problem is due to a missing or poorly defined index, the secrets that allow indexes to make your queries run faster, and examples of how to create performance improving indexes for common querying scenarios.

Whether you are a new DBA wanting to speed up the queries on your servers or a developer looking to make their applications run faster, this introduction to indexing will have you covered.

Presentation available for download at: https://bertwagner.com/intro-to-indexing

SessionID: 87659

A Beginners Guide to Transactions

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 13:30:00 - Track: Database Design

Speaker: John Deardurff

Title: A Beginners Guide to Transactions

Abstract:

This session is for the absolute beginner to learn the basics of Transactions and will answer questions such as, What is a Transaction? What are the ACID properties of a Transaction? How does the Transaction Log work to provide consistency to a database? What is a checkpoint? Are dirty pages bad or good? What is a lock? The session is led by an expert Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and former Microsoft MVP who regularly teaches SQL Server certification courses.

SessionID: 87731

PowerShell for the DBA

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 13:30:00 - Track: Database Monitoring Maintenance

Speaker: Amy Herold

Title: PowerShell for the DBA

Abstract:

PowerShell is a tool used by many people in DevOps and Infrastructure. Should the DBA get on board with using PowerShell? The answer is yes - as a DBA, PowerShell can have a significant impact on tasks that would be long and tedious with just T-SQL alone. Today there are specific modules that can be incorporated into PowerShell to help in automating every-day DBA tasks. Beyond that, PowerShell can be used to do things like automate deployments and audit permissions.

In this session we will explore real-world examples and demonstrate how PowerShell can be leveraged by the DBA to not only improve efficiency but also streamline processes across an enterprise environment.

SessionID: 86347

Taming of the Shrew - Optimizing Power BI

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 14:45:00 - Track: Analytics Visualization

Speaker: Kellyn Pot'Vin-Gorman

Title: Taming of the Shrew - Optimizing Power BI

Abstract:

No one wants to tell a report user that while running a report in Power BI they have time to go get a cup of coffee…in another town. Although data sets will often be the focus of performance issues, it’s important to know how to locate performance problems in Power BI and how to eliminate them.

This session will take the Power User through how to identify time consuming processing in Power BI and how to address it through step-by-step and proven methods used to optimize in multi-tier environments. This method removes frustration and finger-pointing and gets to the heart of the problem with a goal of correcting performance challenges. The results are satisfied end users who get the information they need, when they need it.

Take Aways: Learn how to identify what is taking the time in a Power BI data set and report. Understand the logging and tracing mechanisms and capabilities in the environment. Understand when a problem is really a problem.

SessionID: 86513

Data Virtualization - SQL Server 2019 Enhanced PolyBase

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 14:45:00 - Track: Architecture Tools

Speaker: Kimberly StJacques

Title: Data Virtualization - SQL Server 2019 Enhanced PolyBase

Abstract:

Do you have ETL processes pulling data from multiple data sources into a data warehouse so you can run reporting from a single source? If so, this session is for you! SQL Server 2019 enhanced the PolyBase feature that was introduced in SQL Server 2016. Come learn how to use the new PolyBase features enabling you to use T-SQL queries that generate reports on data stored in all of your data sources without the need of a physical data warehouse! Using SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB, Hadoop, Spark and more…. we will introduce you to the Enhanced PolyBase features, share with you some code examples to get you started, show you the architecture options, and examine the reporting capabilities.

SessionID: 86560

The Curious Case of the Foreign Key

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 14:45:00 - Track: Database Performance - 2

Speaker: Lisa Bohm

Title: The Curious Case of the Foreign Key

Abstract:

Foreign keys are basic constraints used widely in database design. This session will show how they can improve performance when used correctly. There are, however, some options that developers need to use with care because they can degrade performance significantly... and sneakily!

SessionID: 87134

Lambda architecture design using Azure Databricks for advanced analytics

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 14:45:00 - Track: Cloud

Speaker: Lucas Feiock

Title: Lambda architecture design using Azure Databricks for advanced analytics

Abstract:

In this session, we will review the history of Azure Databricks, world records it broke, and how to accelerate your data platform solutions. We will cover lambda architecture, Azure Databricks components, and how to integrate other Microsoft Azure services. Then we will see a demonstration on creating clusters, notebooks, team collaboration, and advanced analytics. Finally, we will take a look at additional information on how to further utilize Azure Databricks.

SessionID: 87148

"Full Text indexing!" or..."What is that service I never turn on?"

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 14:45:00 - Track: Database Performance - 1

Speaker: Eric Blinn

Title: "Full Text indexing!" or..."What is that service I never turn on?"

Abstract:

If you've ever wondered what that other service is in your configuration manager then this is the class for you. Full text indexing allows you to write queries to scan large text fields without having to do a complete table scan every time.

We'll talk about installing, setting up, maintaining, and using full text indexes to their fullest!

SessionID: 87400

Using distributed AGs for your migrations

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 14:45:00 - Track: Database Design

Speaker: Elizabeth Noble

Title: Using distributed AGs for your migrations

Abstract:

You find yourself needing to migrate to new hardware or new operating system. If you're running SQL Server 2016+, you're in luck! Distributed Availability Groups (AGs) may just be the solution you want.

In this session I will discuss what distributed AGs are, show how to set them up, and show how to monitor distributed AGs.

SessionID: 87729

Are you following SQL Server Development Best Practices?

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 14:45:00 - Track: Development

Speaker: Sourav Mukherjee

Title: Are you following SQL Server Development Best Practices?

Abstract:

Coding is always a fun but challenging job. Developers do not only have to execute the right output based on the business requirement but also need to maintain right coding standards by using the optimum use of variable sizes and keeping in view the other best practices. The session will cover the key best practices which developers can follow and get benefited.

Many of us already may have been using these steps already but for those who are new to the development process or want to brush up, the session is for you.

SessionID: 88063

DBA - What's Most Important

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 14:45:00 - Track: Database Monitoring Maintenance

Speaker: Ed Wagner

Title: DBA - What's Most Important

Abstract:

There are so many topics for a DBA to focus on that it can be overwhelming for a new or accidental DBA. Without knowing what's most important, you can find yourself spending lots of time trying to figure out what's important. This session focuses on the five topics that matter most to a DBA.

SessionID: 86457

Statistics - Why are they there and what do I do with them

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 16:00:00 - Track: Database Performance - 2

Speaker: Dave Bland

Title: Statistics - Why are they there and what do I do with them

Abstract:

In this session you will learn the basics of statistics and what they are used for. You will learn how to gather information about the statistics and how to use the information to improve performance. It is important the statistics are maintained to work properly so we will also discuss what on going maintenance should be done on statistics.

SessionID: 86536

Getting Started with Apache Spark

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 16:00:00 - Track: Cloud

Speaker: Kevin Feasel

Title: Getting Started with Apache Spark

Abstract:

As companies work to gain insight from ever-increasing amounts of data, data platform practitioners need tools which can scale along with the data. Early big data solutions in the Hadoop ecosystem assumed that data sizes overwhelmed available memory, emphasizing heavy disk usage to coordinate work between nodes. As the cost of memory decreases and the amount of memory available per server increases, we see a shift in the makeup of big data systems, emphasizing heavy memory usage instead of disk. Apache Spark, which focuses on memory-intensive operations, has taken advantage of this hardware shift to become the dominant solution for problems requiring distributed data. In this talk, we will take an introductory look at Apache Spark. We will review where it fits in the Hadoop ecosystem, cover how to get started and some of the basic functional programming concepts needed to understand Spark, and see examples of how we can use Spark to solve issues like calculating PageRank.

SessionID: 86644

How to Keep Your Database Servers Out of the News

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 16:00:00 - Track: Database Monitoring Maintenance

Speaker: Matt Gordon

Title: How to Keep Your Database Servers Out of the News

Abstract:

Every few months the headlines are filled with news of yet another system outage inconveniencing customers and users. As data platform professionals, the systems and servers for which we are responsible generally form the foundation of our companies’ customer-facing applications. In this fast-paced session, we’ll discuss the differences between high availability and disaster recovery as well as the tools and technologies Microsoft provides us within SQL Server to keep our databases up, our users happy, and our DBAs well rested.

SessionID: 86830

Build a Simple OLAP Cube from Scratch

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 16:00:00 - Track: Analytics Visualization

Speaker: Joe Bruno

Title: Build a Simple OLAP Cube from Scratch

Abstract:

Many database professionals are familiar with concepts throughout the process of Implementing a Data Warehouse, but how many of us have started from scratch and ultimately created an OLAP Cube? While preparing for Microsoft Certification Exams (Implementing a Data Warehouse), I set about to do exactly that. This presentation will share my experiences along the way focusing on initial Data Warehouse design and final OLAP cube creation in SQL Server Analysis Services.

SessionID: 87217

The Data-Professional’s Junk Drawer

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 16:00:00 - Track: Architecture Tools

Speaker: Peter Shore

Title: The Data-Professional’s Junk Drawer

Abstract:

There is at least one in your home right now, a box, a basket, a bucket, perhaps even actually drawer; hastily organized at best but full of tools, gadgets, widgets and whatchamacallits designed for one or two specific purposes. Realistically, we all want to use the more generic, multipurposed item found in our “well organized place for storing things”, yet deep down we know that tool/gadget/widget etc. is really what we need. As data-professionals, we are all familiar with the largest “junk drawer” ever created, the Internet. In this session, we will discuss some tools which are not data specific, the jobs they do well, and where to find them. Join as us as explore Robocopy, parts of the SysInterals Suite, a connection manager or two, portables apps aplenty and more so that you can move that file more efficiently, troubleshoot that problem through a different lens, or simply know what the heck someone else is talking about.

SessionID: 87645

The Analyst’s Guide To Finding and Fixing Performance Anti-Patterns

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 16:00:00 - Track: Database Performance - 1

Speaker: Bert Wagner

Title: The Analyst’s Guide To Finding and Fixing Performance Anti-Patterns

Abstract:

Are you waiting too long for your SQL-based analytical jobs to finish processing data? Would you prefer that those jobs finish in minutes instead of hours so your manager will stop asking if the results are available yet?

Bert Wagner regularly helps analysts make minor changes to their SQL-based analytical jobs in order to dramatically improve performance. In this session he will show how to spot common analytical job performance anti-patterns as well as solutions for correcting them.

Whether you strictly write SQL queries or incorporate those queries into tools like Python, R, SAS, SSIS, etc… this session will teach you how to spot and fix low-hanging fruit performance opportunities.

Presentation available for download at: https://bertwagner.com/analyst-performance-anti-patterns

SessionID: 87674

14 T-SQL Functions You May Not Know

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 16:00:00 - Track: Development

Speaker: Sam Nasr

Title: 14 T-SQL Functions You May Not Know

Abstract:

Newer releases of SQL Server have introduced many new functions developers may not know or use. This includes functions for type conversion, date/time calculation, enhanced logic, and string manipulation. In this session we’ll cover the ins and outs of these new functions, in addition to some best practices for using these functions.

SessionID: 88291

Learn History from Temporal Tables

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Event Date: 02-02-2019 - Session time: 16:00:00 - Track: Database Design

Speaker: Ameena Lalani

Title: Learn History from Temporal Tables

Abstract:

SQL Server 2016 came out with a bucket full of cool new features. One of them is Temporal Tables. SQL Server 2017 made some enhancements in this area. Temporal tables are basically history tables of the normal tables; that allows us to retrieve data from any point in time for every change such as updates and deletes. It does this all without any change to application code and without needing any triggers. In this session, we will see what the requirements of creating temporal tables are. We will see the demo on insert and update functionality and how to query historical information using new TSQL clause. We will touch upon retention of history as well. It has lots of demos and less theory.