How to prevent blocking in your SQL Server database

As a SQL Server DBA, usually the largest databases in size and in number of users that I had to manage was an ERP...

Using a Display Folder for a SSAS calculation

I was having a problem getting the display folder to work for a calculation in SSAS.  Turns out, it will...

Thinking about taking a contract position? Questions to ask

Over the years, I have accumulated a set of questions that I usually ask the placement firm about a contract position...

System Center and Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010

Because the relationship between application development and the IT operations teams is critical, Microsoft has released a CTP of a new...

Preventing projects from deploying when debugging a SSIS package

This is a quick tip to help quickly solve a problem I run into sometimes, and now that I am...

Receive error #13119 in toolbox instead of tools in Visual Studio 2008

A couple of times over the past few months, while in Visual Studio 2008 working on an SSIS package, I went...

When to use T-SQL or SSIS for ETL

When doing ETL, you have the choice of using T-SQL or SSIS.  What things should you consider when deciding which...

Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse (PDW) Explained

Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse (PDW), formally called by its code name “Project Madison”, is an edition of Microsoft’s SQL Server...

Microsoft Small Basic

This is a bit off-topic, but I wanted to mention a great tool for beginners to learn how to program. ...

Tracking down KPI error in PerformancePoint

On a few occasions, I have opened up my PerformancePoint scorecard on SharePoint to see an error staring at me:

So...