Last week was the 2016 Pass Summit. This is the largest SQL Server specific conference in the world and I was lucky enough to be able to attend. Looking back, I think it was another great conference, with attendees from all over the world. This is the biggest SQL Server specific conference, and the biggest data platform conference for the Microsoft stack. I hope it continues to be so, though I also hope the event doesn't grow much larger.

Most of my time was spent at the Redgate Software booth, where I had some great conversations. It was fun, I got quite a few pictures, and had some interesting questions. While many people were very interested in SQL Clone and DPMS, plenty were also starting to do more advanced and automated DLM deployments and testing of their databases. I'm glad to see the database software space maturing. I've got lots to write up and talk about across the next few months, and it's exciting

There were also some announcements this week from Microsoft. Apart from the Surface updates, they showcased Azure Analysis Services and the idea of the intelligent database. The latter isn't really anything new, but there is some new marketing, and it seems MIcrosoft is really pushing to use the database more for analysis and processing of data, something that typically has been done more in applications. I wrote about this recently, but certainly Microsoft would prefer that you run R scripts and other analysis of data inside SQL Server. As someone else pointed out, you have expensive CPUs running SQL Server, and this might benefit Microsoft more than you.

We also saw some new branding from PASS, with a new logo that I really like. Stated goals from PASS last week were that they want to grow to 2mm members, as well as encompass more than just the SQL Server world. Certainly I appreciate the recognition that there is more to the world than SQL Server, but I hope the organization doesn't lose focus of where it's core audience spends most of their time.

Lastly, at this time next year, the first day of the Summit will kick off on Halloween. I've seen the Summit end on this day, but not begin. While my children are older, for many speakers and attendees, this isn't the case. I suspect we will see some drop off in attendence for this reason, and that's fine. While this is a once a year event, you'll only have Halloween with your child, at this age, one time. I certainly understand those of you that choose to skip the event for that reason. I dislike the decision to schedule the conference at this time, but what's done is done.

I hope everyone attending had a great time, and those of you that didn't, I hope to see you at the Summit next year, or some other SQL Server event in the next year. If you want to catch me without traveling, I'll be broadcasting from SQL in the City this December 14 and 15, so be sure to sign up.