SQL Relay 2013R2

Come join in the SQL Relay in 2013, attending a user group the week of Nov 11, 2013 in the UK. There are some amazing speakers, so be sure to register and attend.

The ETL from Hell - Diagnosing Batch System Performance Issues

Too often, the batch systems that underlie a lot of database processing just grow without conscious design. When runs start to extend beyond their allotted time, and tuning no longer solves the problem, it is often discovered that batches are run in series, with draconian error handling. It is time to impose some rational design, and Nigel is a seasoned healer of batch processes.

Exporting Execution Plans - SQL Spackle

A short SQL Spackle article to fill in your knowledge of SQL Server. In this one, Jason Brimhall shows how to export execution plans when you ask for query tuning help.

SQL Saturday #248 Tampa

SQLSaturday BI & Big Data Edition is a free training event for everyone interested in learning about Business Intelligence & Big Data with a focus in the Microsoft SQL Server platform. This event will be held November 9th, 2013. In addition to our Saturday free event, we will also host four paid full day pre-conferences.

Using Views to Expose Encrypted Data in SQL Server

I'm using SQL Server's built-in encryption to hide data in one of my SQL Server databases, but this is a reporting system and my end users need to be able to query the data without having to remember the specialized decryption functions. Is there a way to do this? Yes, there is, via the use of views.

SQL Saturday #263 Manila, Phillipines

SQL Saturday is a training event for SQL Server professionals and those wanting to learn about SQL Server. This event will be held Nov 9 2013, admittance to this event is free, all costs are covered by donations and sponsorships.

SSIS Basics: Using the Merge Join Transformation

SSIS is able to take sorted data from more than one OLE DB data source and merge them into one table which can then be sent to an OLE DB destination. This 'Merge Join' transformation works in a similar way to a SQL join by specifying a 'join key' relationship. this transformation can save a great deal of processing on the destination. Annette Allen, as usual, gives clear guidance on how to do it.

Migrate to Natively Compiled SQL Server Stored Procedures for Hekaton

In order to take full advantage of the In-Memory OLTP options in SQL Server 2014, you should migrate standard stored procedures that references Memory-Optimized tables to natively compiled ones. In this tip we will see how to achieve this goal.

Managing MaxMemory Values on an Active-Active Two Node Cluster

How to manage your MaxMemory values on an Active-Active two node cluster.

SQL Saturday #255 Dallas

SQL Saturday is coming to Dallas on November 2. This is a free, one day conference for SQL Server training and networking.

On November 1, there will be a pre-conference event featuring Andy Leonard, Grant Fritchey, and Drew Minkin.