Phil Grayson

I’m Phil Grayson, founder of Aireforge, where we build tools to make database management more efficient, secure, and performance-driven. I’ve been working in the SQL Server space for over 25 years, with a focus on performance tuning, security, and observability. Currently, I’m gearing up to launch dbOptics, a platform designed to simplify database observability and performance tuning across complex estates, as well as Guard, a database firewall set to release next year.

I’m passionate about helping data professionals and organizations get the most out of their database environments. Aireforge has been active in the SQL community since 2016, sponsoring events like Data Relay and SQLBits, and we continue to contribute through knowledge sharing and community-driven events.
  • Interests: SQL Server performance tuning, index management, database security, automation of database tasks, observability and monitoring, knowledge sharing, cloud services, Azure infrastructure, motorcycle touring.

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Blogs

Are you getting value from your reporting?

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Do you spend so long manipulating your data into something vaguely useful that you...

The Book of Redgate: SQL Server Central

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It was neat to stumble on this in the book, a piece by me,...

Git forked

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Forgive me for the title. Mentally I’m 12. When I started my current day...

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Forums

Microsoft Security Changes and SQL Server

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Microsoft Security Changes and SQL...

Expanding into Print

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Expanding into Print

Downtime Caused by the Postgres Transaction ID Wraparound Problem

By Chandan Shukla

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Downtime Caused by the Postgres...

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Question of the Day

The String Distance I

In SQL Server 2025, what is returned by this code: 

SELECT EDIT_DISTANCE('Steve', 'Stan')
Assume preview features are enabled.

See possible answers