Countdown to PASS Summit 2012 – 9 to Go – My First Summit

We are less than ten days to the start of PASS Summit 2012. I thought it would be fun to put together a countdown blog series so here goes. My first blog is about my first PASS Summit. I attended my first PASS Summit in 2007 in Denver, Colorado. At the time, I was working for XATA Corporation as their data architect. I had attended a different conference a couple years before, but was introduced to PASS through my local user group (PASSMN). The Summit had a better list of topics and presenters and I was very interested.

I would travel to this conference alone and I really only knew a couple of the other attendees. As far as I remember, there was not as much there for first timers. I felt further out of place as a first time speaker (later on that) and did not know all of the regulars. Ironically, back then, I was not very interested in networking, I came to learn. Little did I know how that would change throughout the years that have followed. I wanted to attend a lot of sessions and learn as much as possible. (I heard Itzik for the first time, and learned to love T-SQL even more. J)

So, what how was your first Summit? What was your focus? Did you network, learn, or were you able to do both?

Only nine days to go. I hope to see you there! If it is your first time, take advantage of the first timer programs. It is a great event made even better as a result.

T-SQL Window Functions on LessThanDot and at SQL Saturday 149

I recently completed a series of blog posts on www.lessthandot.com on T-SQL Window functions.  The enhancements to SQL Server 2012 in this area are phenomenal.  They solve a myriad of issues including calculating running totals with SQL.  Check it out if you want to learn more and get some simple examples related to the functions and structure related to the window functions.  Here is the series outline and links to each section.

T-SQL Window Functions:

• Part 1: The OVER Clause
• Part 2: Ranking Functions
• Part 3: Aggregate Functions
• Part 4: Analytic Functions

I do a presentation related to T-SQL functions for SQL Saturdays and am presenting it at the PASS Summit this year.  Maybe I will see you there.

I recently presented this at SQL Saturday #149 in Minnesota.  Here is the presentation and the demo code. Thanks for attending.

 

Finally, if you use Oracle, you will find this series helpful as well.  Most of the syntax is supported in Oracle as well.  Look for an Oracle tip with the Oracle samples for your use soon.

Upcoming BI and Data Events with Magenic in Fall 2012

As I started looking over my event calendar, I was amazed at how many events Magenic is sponsoring, hosting or providing speakers for over the next couple of months.  As always, one of my goals is to make everyone aware of opportunities to increase their knowledge in BI and data or even network with other data pros.  Not all of the events are Magenic events, but Magenic has stepped up to sponsor or provide speakers for the event.  I will update this blog with more details as they become available, but I want to get you thinking about the possibilities to learn and connect.

BI Summit (Chicago, August 23, 2012)

This event is coming up very soon.  Register today to hear about BI topics that matter to you as a customer and in particular as a business user.  Ted Krueger ( B | T ) and Aaron Lowe ( B | T ) will be showing off some of the new Microsoft BI capabilities.  I will be joining them for the round table at the end of the day.  Sign up today as space is limited!

Code Mastery (Chicago, September 12, 2012)

Not to be outdone, a few weeks later Magenic’s Code Mastery event comes to Chicago.  There is an opening session by Ted Krueger discussing query tuning for developers and admins alike.  Then, a full track will be offered on a variety of BI topics.  The speakers include your truly, James Phillips ( T ), and Aaron Lowe.

SQL Saturday #156 (Providence, September 15, 2012)

Join James Phillips at this event as well.  If you see him at Code Mastery in Chicago then at SQL Saturday in Providence let him know.  I am sure we all would be interested in how and why you traveled the country to hear him.  He will be speaking on SSIS 2012 and loading data warehouses.

SQL Saturday #149 (Minneapolis, September 28-29, 2012)

We are loaded to bear for this event.  Steve Hughes and Ted Krueger will be conducting preconference sessions.  Beyond that, a number of Magenicons have submitted sessions.  We expect the final list before the end of the week and I will update this post when they list is finalized.  Magenic is also a Gold Sponsor for this event.  Oh, and this year the precons are on Friday with the full event on Saturday.  Thought we would try something new this year.

8/15/2012 UPDATE:  Magenic speakers announced:  Ted Krueger, Aaron Lowe, Jeff Prom and I have sessions at this event.

Code Mastery (Minneapolis, October 2, 2012)

This event is still being finalized, but hold the date!  We have a BI track that includes implementing BI with SharePoint.  Our speakers include Jeff Prom ( B ), Josh Owens ( T ), Curtis Smith and Greg Moser ( T ).  Look for more details coming soon.

Minnesota SQL Server User Group (Minneapolis, October 14, 2012)

Magenic is the sponsor for October’s user group meeting and Jeff Prom will be speaking on Data Quality Services. 

PASS Summit (Seattle, November 6-9, 2012)

And the Summit wraps up a busy fall season.  I have two sessions at this conference.  Ted will be a part of Ask the Experts and Birds of a Feather.  A number of other Magenicon’s will also be in attendance.  We will look forward to wrapping up a this fall’s data and BI community events at the Summit.

Join Magenic’s data pro’s at any of these conferences or meetings.  Magenic is a huge promoter of business intelligence and data related education within the SQL Server community.  We look forward to seeing you at any of these events.

Presenting at PASS Summit 2012

I am pleased to announce that I will be speaking at the PASS Summit again after a four-year “break”.  I get the privilege to present on some awesome new technologies released in SQL Server 2012.

Here are my sessions for this year’s Summit:

A Window into Your Data:  Using SQL Window Functions

Application & Database Development Track

Window functions are an underused feature in T-SQL that have been greatly expanded in SQL Server 2012. These functions can help you solve complex business problems such as running totals and ranking. If you have never used these functions or are looking to solve ranking and aggregate types of calculations without using GROUP BY, join us for this demo-filled session on how and when to use SQL window functions.

Building a Tabular Model Database

BI Platform, Architecture, Development & Administration Track

Come learn about the tabular model in SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services and watch a model built from “Create Project” to deployment. Microsoft introduced the tabular model in SSAS 2012. Its supporting technology is based on the xVelocity query processor, which was introduced in PowerPivot. In this session, we will create a tabular model database in SSAS using SQL Server Data Tools. We will add data from various types of data sources and build relationships between them, then extend the solution by adding calculations, measures, and hierarchies. Finally, we will cover some of the management techniques required to support a tabular model in an enterprise solution.

Check out the other sessions that have been announced and get signed up soon to take advantage of the current price $1,395 which is good until June 30, 2012, at http://www.sqlpass.org/summit/2012/.  I will look forward to seeing you there and at other community events this year.