Events

So, did you attend the SQL PASS Summit in Seattle?  Ow, you didn’t get approval.

What about the PASS SQL Rally in Sweden then, going there?  Ouch, too expensive as well?

Well, then I’ve got good news for you because we are bringing some of those speakers to Belgium!

In a previous post I already mentioned Kevin Kline, Lubor Kollar, Chris Webb, Dandy Weyn and Jen Stirrup.

As if that wasn’t enough already, we’ve added the Lead Technical Program Manager for SQL Azure, Cihan Biyikoglu and SQL Server 2008 MCM Denny Cherry, aka Mr. Denny to the list.

And last but certainly not least, of course we’ve also got top-shelf Belgian speakers: Wesley Backelant, Pieter Vanhove, Frederik Vandeputte, Karel Coenye, Nico Verbaenen, Nico Jacobs and my Ordina-colleague Koen Verbeeck.

Convinced? Hurry up, there are still some free seats, so go on and register here!

Have fun!

Valentino.

Remember last year’s SQL Server Day?  What, you didn’t make it due to the weather?  Come on, the snow wasn’t that bad?!

Okay, maybe it was if you didn’t have winter tires.  Well, good news!  To avoid that problem, we’ve decided to schedule our precious event two weeks earlier!

And because we know you like watching presentations by top speakers, we’ve also decided to make it two days instead of just one!  More precisely, November 14th-15th.

We’ve managed to get top speakers who’ll sound very familiar to you such as (in no particular order): Kevin Kline, Lubor Kollar, Chris Webb, Dandy Weyn, Jen Stirrup, …!

If that did not convince you, have a look at the agenda and list of sessions, available online.  We’re currently still in the process of adding sessions and speakers, but it surely gives you a good idea of what we have in mind.  Check it out on www.sqlserverdays.be!

On the other hand, if you are already convinced, be one of the first to register!  That’s right, registration is open since yesterday!

And that’s not all, until the end of the month you can take advantage of an early bird discount offer and pay only €79.  Beginning October 1st, that goes up to €99.   Which obviously is still peanuts for what you’ll be getting!

Hopefully see you there?

Valentino.

Just like the previous four years, the Community Day event will be back this year for its fifth installment and it will be bigger than ever before!  And guess what?!  It’s still free!

Interested in a whole day packed with sessions brought by members of the Belgian Microsoft community, and even abroad?  Then join us on Thursday 23rd of June 2011 at Utopolis Mechelen (Belgium)!

As you’re reading my blog, chances are big that you’re interested in SQL Server?  Well, good because three of the sessions are brought by members of the SQL Server User Group.  Here are the details on those sessions:

More details available on and registration through www.communityday.be.  Register now before all seats are taken!

CU there!

Valentino.

Haven’t got any plans next Thursday evening (May 19th, 2011)?  Then I’ve got an interesting SQL Server User Group event for you!

Session Content

The next version of Analysis Services will offer the BI Semantic Model (BISM) that is based on Vertipaq, the same engine that runs PowerPivot. DAX and PowerPivot have been created as tools for Excel users but in Denali they will be available in Microsoft’s Corporate BI technology stack, as part of Analysis Services.

The impact of this technology is huge, because many assumptions that are made today regarding OLAP cubes (star schema models, surrogate keys and so on) might be no longer applicable in terms of “the optimized way” to design a BI solution.

This session is about this impelling change: after an initial introduction about PowerPivot, DAX and Vertipaq changes that are relevant to this topic and some consideration about design impact on Data Warehouse, Data Mart and ETL pipeline, the session will become an open discussion with all attendees, in order to share experience, needs, technical challenges and understand future directions in the corporate BI world.

The Speakers

Marco Russo

Marco Russo is a Business Intelligence consultant and mentor.

His main activities are related to data warehouse relational and multidimensional design, but he is also involved in the complete development life cycle of BI solutions. He has particular competence and experience in sectors like financial services (such as complex OLAP designs in banking area), manufacturing and commercial distribution.

Marco is also a book author and, apart from his BI-related publications, he even wrote some books about .NET programming. He is also a speaker at international conferences like the European PASS Conference and PASS Summit. He is an MCT and has several certifications (MCPD, MCIP, MCTS, MCAD and MCDBA).

Alberto Ferrari

Alberto Ferrari is a Business Intelligence consultant.

He his interests lie in two main areas: BI development life cycle methodologies and performance tuning of ETL and SQL code. His main activities are with SSIS and SSAS for the banking, manufacturing and statistical sectors.

He is also a speaker in international conferences like the European PASS Conference and PASS Summit.

Registration

More info and registration on the SQLUG website!

PS: although I’m sure I would really have enjoyed this session, unfortunately I can’t make it there, gotta stay with the kids…

Those that are able to go: do so, and have fun!

Valentino.

It’s March, Spring is trying to make a start here in rainy Belgium, the first flowers are in bloom and the birds are tweeting (yes, they have an account).

And the SQL Server User Group is ready to present you the second session of the year!

If you were present at last year’s SQL Server Day, then you may already have seen part of this session by Marc Mertens.  If you felt that the session was too short, here’s the answer!

Session Subject

SQL Server Locking: Take back control of SQL Server

Since the beginning of RDBMS systems locking control has been taken away from the programmer.  SQL Server has however many ways to let you control the locks placed and their duration.

This session discusses how SQL Server does locking and how you can control locking.  If you’ve always wanted to know all the details but never had time to look it up for yourself, join us for this session and let the info stream into your brain.  Can it be even easier??

Presenter

Marc Mertens is a SQL Server and .NET trainer/consultant for Global Knowledge. He has been working with SQL Server from version 4.x up to the current version.  His Microsoft Certifications are MSCA, MSCE, MCDBA, MCAD, MCSD and MCT.  He has been a trainer for every aspect of SQL Server, from building .NET applications using ADO.NET and LINQ to BI solutions.

Date and Agenda

Thursday, March 31, 2011.

1800: Registration

1830: Session Start

2100: Session End (unless Marc will try to break his record, established during his session last year on indexes)

Location

Global Knowledge Belgium

Industriepark Mechelen Noord II

Zandvoortstraat 1

2800 Mechelen

Registration

Click here to register for this free event

See you there!

Valentino.