IT leaders from enterprises around the world have realized that acquiring and implementing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) application packages is a smarter thing to do, than the traditional approach of developing home-grown applications. This may not be the fit-for-all solution, but it makes sense from a cost, time to market and resource standpoint. Selection and acquisition of the software package is just the first step. How the software package brings value through successful implementation, is critical to the business. Internal groups as well as industry analysts will closely watch COTS package implementation in the organization.

Clustered Indexes in SQL Server: Things You Need to Know

by Additional Articles

SQL Server Performance

Indexing

This article covers a few, more advanced topics about the usage of clustered indexes in SQL Server. Not only will I try to convince you of the absolute necessity of using clustered indexes, I'll also give you some tips on how to use them in a not so obvious context.

Securing SQL Server

by Press Release

SQLServerCentral.com

the January magazine is being printed right now and should be mailed out early next week. Read the editorial and see how you can get you e-copy now!

Digging Into Access Performance

by Andy Warren

SQLServerCentral.com

Access

Access can be a very quick and easy to use tool for working with SQL Server data and for quick and dirty projects, it might be the best tool. But there can be performance issues at times and Andy Warren digs into some of these based on some analysis of what Access does behind the scenes.

Creating an End-to-End Package

by Brian Knight

White Knight Technology

Integration Services (SSIS)

In this sample chapter, you'll get a full tutorial on how to create an end-to-end SSIS package including transformation, looping and archiving of files.

Cursors and embedded SQL

by Additional Articles

Redgate

Advanced Querying

In the days when I contentedly cut procedural code, I was puzzled by the visceral rages of the database specialists; they were like the ship’s cook occasionally going berserk with a meat-cleaver. After I switched to database work, I realized why.”

Interview with Brian Knight

by Additional Articles

PASS

Interviews

Our very own Brian Knight interviewed by PASS.

Starting and Stopping SQL Server Part 4

by Andy Warren

SQLServerCentral.com

Administration

Continuing with his series on working with SQL Server, Andy Warren looks at how long it can take to start or restart the services and why.

Using ITWIZ.EXE to Automate Index Analysis

by Additional Articles

PASS

Performance Tuning

This process uses ITWIZ.EXE the command line version of the Index Tuning Wizard. SQL trace file information is stored in a table on production then transferred to a non-production server. ITWIZ is then run against the transferred trace data resulting in a UNICODE SQL script. This script has index creation and deletion information as well as script parameters in a remarks section.

Male, Female and The Other One (NULL)

by Peter Ward

SQLServerCentral.com

SQL Puzzles

When programming in T-SQL, the impact of NULL values can be severe in many cases, especially aggregates. New Author Peter Ward brings us a great explanation on how NULLs can impact things like SUM operations.

THE ROLE OF DATA DICTIONARY

Clustered Indexes in SQL Server: Things You Need to Know

Securing SQL Server

Digging Into Access Performance

Creating an End-to-End Package

Cursors and embedded SQL

Interview with Brian Knight

Starting and Stopping SQL Server Part 4

Using ITWIZ.EXE to Automate Index Analysis

Male, Female and The Other One (NULL)

Blogs

How to Connect to SQL Server When Nothing Else Works – DAC

Get a Range of Sequence Values: #SQLNewBlogger

The Agent Era: When “How do I…?” Replaces “Where do I click?”

Forums

Hiring: Financial SQL Systems Administrator

Job Opening for ERP Systems Administrator - Hybrid

data compare between 2 tables with same structure for any changes after etl run

Question of the Day

Creating a JSON Document II