Tonie Huizer

Tonie Huizer is a Software, Data, and DevOps Consultant who believes good tech starts with understanding your people. A regular on international stages and a Microsoft Certified Azure Developer, Tonie loves helping teams simplify complex challenges; whether that’s modernizing database deployments, designing scalable systems, or just getting Dev and Ops to finally talk to each other.

Tonie is known for his clear, energetic presentation style and ability to make complex topics accessible and engaging. As a Redgate Community Ambassador, he advocates for database DevOps and contributes to open knowledge sharing through blogs, talks, and events across the globe. He also co-leads SeaQL Saturday, a community-driven event that blends education, networking, and Sammie, his Kooikerhondje mascot. (Because yes, even events are better with a dog.)

Whether he's discussing Azure DevOps workflows, database release automation, or the cultural shifts required to implement DevOps successfully, Tonie brings real-world experience, humor, and actionable insights. His goal is to inspire professionals not just to adopt new technologies, but to transform how teams collaborate and innovate.

And when he’s not speaking about tech, he might just be speaking about whisky. Tonie is a passionate whisky enthusiast who loves sharing stories, flavors, and the occasional tasting session with his fellow connoisseur of TasteWhisky. If you're into DevOps, data, and a well-aged dram on the side, Tonie’s your man!
Contact me if you need any help or questions!
  • Interests: Other than IT related ;-) Whisky, vintage Mercedes Benz cars, Kooikerhondje Sammie
  • Skills: SQL, DevOps, People, .NET

SQLServerCentral Article

Getting In: Running External Code in a Locked-Down PaaS

In Part 1, I explored how to bend SQL Server Agent to our will and peek under the hood of Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI), gaining full OS access to the container (all without relying on xp_cmdshell). But once I realized what kind of door I'd opened, curiosity pushed us further, tempting us to […]

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2025-07-17 (first published: )

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SQLServerCentral Article

A Version Control Strategy for Branch-based Database Development

The migration to a different VCS should not be underestimated, as there is a lot more involved than just switching tools, and that’s what Tonie Huizer covers in this article.
First, the team needed to migrate the monolithic repos over to Git, second the team needed to make sure we had a branching strategy and workflow in place.
It involved a big process change for the team as well, but this switch is mandatory to make full use of branch-based database development.

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2023-02-08

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SQLServerCentral Article

DIY Database Clones

This article explores the 'shadow copy' and 'disk virtualization' services built into the Windows operating system and explains a basic solution demonstrating how the technology is used to copy the data and log files for a live SQL Server database into an 'image', from which we can create multiple, lightweight copies, or clones, of the original database.

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2021-04-29

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Compatibility levels on database changing them and impacts.

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We’re running SQL Server 2019 with database compatibility level 150, and after recent tuning...

Changing the Recovery Time

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Changing the Recovery Time

Getting More Time from AI

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

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Question of the Day

Changing the Recovery Time

I want to change the recovery time for a database running on SQL Server 2022. What are my options for setting the value in my ALTER DATABASE statement. If I run this code, what can I use in place of the xxx to define what 12 means?

ALTER DATABASE Finance 
 SET TARGET_RECOVERY_TIME = 12 xxx;

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