Nordic SQLRally 2011

The first event was the Nordic PASS SQLRally in Sweden last week.  And I have to admit, it was a special experience.  When we arrived at Arlanda Airport, we decided to go to the conference center using a taxi.  There was a lot of choice on drivers and we selected one that looked trustworthy.  Before entering the car, obviously we first asked him the price to Bålsta.  He said it would cost about 500-600 SEK, so we got in the car.  After about one kilometer he pretended to have misunderstood the name of the village (funny how one can misunderstand a written address) and suddenly the price went up to 895!  Long story short: the correct price was 650, but others got ripped off even more, up to 1600 SEK has been paid for a trip of 35-45 minutes!  So, small warning when travelling to Sweden: check in the airport what taxi companies can be trusted.

As we arrived on Monday and left the country on Thursday, we had plenty of time for networking outside of the session hours.  During that time we met some great people.  One of them was Mark Rasmussen.  This dude decided about half a year ago to reverse-engineer the MDF file, in his spare time.  And he succeeded!  But that’s not all, he wrote an assembly that allows you to query the tables in the MDF file without attaching that file on SQL Server!  He also delivered a session in the first slot on the second day.  Thing is, practically no one new this was going to be a level 500 session.  Yes, it was a tough wake-up, and a session worth attending!  If you’re interested in his project, which is open source, it’s called OrcaMDF.

Mark also convinced me to create a Twitter account.  As we all know, the SQL Server community is one of the greatest around, and apparently also on Twitter.  Who am I to ignore advice from such a smart guy, so I am now occasionally tweeting on @ValentinoV42.

One of the other things that I learned was that, in SSMS, you can drag the Columns node into your script to generate a list of fields, very useful when creating source queries for your ETLs!  Thanks Aaron, you’ll have to find another hidden feature now to fulfill the “I want you to learn at least one thing from this session’” rule.

Belgian SQL Server Days 2011

The second event, our own SQL Server Days earlier this week, was also a bit special.  I’m part of the organizing committee and this year it was the first time that the conference took two days.  And that’s not all, but we had a record on international speakers as well, nine in total!

To keep the speakers busy, we treated them on a visit to the Duvel brewery on the first night.  And if that wasn’t enough, the Speaker’s Dinner on the second night was certainly worth repeating as well!

I’m happy to say that everything went as planned, everyone was happy and isn’t that how it should be?

My main task in the SQLUG is speaker communication.  Besides that, an additional task this year was to play taxi driver for a day.  To avoid speakers getting ripped off when travelling from their hotel to the conference center (what, you mean taxi drivers aren’t honest all the time?), we decided to take care of their transportation ourselves.  I have to say, I enjoyed it!  And it gave me an opportunity to give the car a good cleaning.

To Conclude

Thank you Ordina for letting me spend my time at such great events, thereby allowing me to stay up-to-date and well-connected!  Want to become my colleague?  Check out our jobs through the link above!

Have fun!

Valentino.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do you like playing with SQL Server databases?

Well, what are you waiting for?  Here’s you chance to combine both!  It’s a short call, but still on time!  You don’t want that perpetrator to get away with those credit card numbers now do you??  Have a look below and register for this great session!

Join us on February 28th at the Microsoft offices in Zaventem for the exciting, first-of-the-year event organized by the Belgian SQL Server User Group.

Info on the session

You get a call from a colleague who thinks that his financial information system has been hacked.  Of course this system uses a SQL Server Database back-end.  In this session we’ll uncover the basics of digital forensics: how to find out whether the system has been accessed by the intruder?  What data has been accessed?  Was there anything modified?  We’ll learn on how to find evidence of what happened and also on how to create a report that can be served as evidence in a court of law.

Info on the speaker: Tom Van Zele

Tom is a seasoned IT professional with more than 10 years experience, first in large scale Active Directory implementations, later moving on to SQL Server.  His focus lies on infrastructure & security.  You can follow Tom on his blog www.synsol.eu/blog and Twitter @tvanzele.

When

Monday, February 28th, 2011.

Agenda

18:00 Registration
18:30 Session Start
21:00 Session End

Location

Microsoft Belgium
Corporate Village
Leonardo Da Vincilaan 3
1935 Zaventem

Click here to register!

Have fun!

Valentino.

And if those videos didn’t still your hunger, or you just have plenty of time to kill, check out this blog post on Chris Webb’s BI blog.  He has posted a link to the 152 videos of SQL Bits, a three-day SQL Server event in the UK.

Still not satisfied?  Maybe these SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) Readiness Videos can keep you busy for a little while then.

Have fun!

Valentino.

For the third successive year the Belgian SQL Server User Group (SQLUG.BE vzw) and Microsoft are teaming up to organize the yearly Belgian SQL Server Day.

After the successful event of last year, SQL Server Day 2010 will again be the biggest event focused exclusively on Microsoft SQL Server in Belgium and Luxembourg.  Join us for sessions on SQL Azure, SQL Server 2008 R2, the Microsoft Business Intelligence platform and to connect with your peers.

This time the event will happen at San Marco Village in Schelle (Antwerp) and the date of the event is Thursday, December 2nd, 2010.  Book those calendars now!

Why would you want to be there?  Well, because there are going to be great speakers!  We’ve got some Belgian speakers and three (that’s right, 3) speakers from abroad!  Have you ever heard of Donald Farmer?  If you have, you’ll know that you want to be there.  If you have already seen him, you definitely know that you’ll want to be there.  And if you don’t know him: be there and you’ll see what I mean!

And he’s just one of a superb list.  The other speakers are Thomas Kejser, Chris Webb, Nico Jacobs, Wesley Backelant, Dirk Gubbels, Karel Coenye, Nico Verbaenen and Werner Geuens.

Furthermore, the full-day event will cost you zero euro.  So, what more do you want?  Free food??  Well, even that won’t be a problem!

One more thing: register now!

And as usual, have fun!

Valentino.

The purpose of this event is to give you, the SQL Server user, an opportunity to ask Microsoft those things which you’ve always wanted to know but never could find on the internet.

The questions are currently being gathered (that explains the “Now” in my post’s title).  This gives you some time to think about what you’d like to ask beforehand.  On the day of the event, these questions will then be answered by a panel of four SQL Server specialists.

So, ever wanted to ask Microsoft a question related to SQL Server?  Now’s the time to do it!  Send them to asktheexperts@sqlug.be.

Who’s The Panel?

The panel consists of three Microsoft employees and one SQL Server MVP.  Here are the full details:

> Wesley Backelant <

In his role as a Technology Advisor at Microsoft, Wesley is responsible for helping customers understand the capabilities of SQL Server and the Microsoft Business Intelligence stack. Before joining Microsoft, Wesley was a Database Architect working on some of the largest implementations of SQL Server in Belgium. Wesley started his professional career in the SQL Server 6.5 timeframe and remained true to his passion ever since. Wesley is active on Twitter where he handles topics related to his favorite technology.

> Frederik Vandeputte <

Frederik Vandeputte is a Senior Consultant and partner at Kohera, the Microsoft SQL Server/Business Intelligence Competence Center of the Cronos Group. Frederik has been working with SQL Server since version 6.5. In his free time Frederik collects Microsoft certifications. His collection includes MCTS, MCSA, MCSE, MCDBA, MCITP, MCT, ranging from Windows 2000 and SQL Server 2000 up to SQL Server 2008. Frederik is one of the co-founders and the President of the Belgian SQL Server User Group (SQLUG.BE). In January 2008 Frederik, became the first Belgian MVP on SQL Server. Follow Frederik on his website and twitter.

> Dirk Gubbels <

Dirk Gubbels is a senior consultant at Microsoft, and has been working with SQL Server since version 4.2. As one of the few Microsoft Certified Database Architects he has been involved in the most demanding SQL server based applications in Belgium and all over the EMEA region. His main focus areas are Design, Performance and Availability for both OLTP and Business Intelligence environments.

> Gunther Beersaerts <

Gunther Beersaerts joined Microsoft in 1998 (on the launch day of SQL Server 7.0) as a Technical Marketer for MSDN/TechNet road shows and has held a number of technical roles during his career, including Systems Engineer, ATS, TSP roles covering a broad set of Microsoft Application Platform solutions. Over the past few years, Gunther has been active in technical roles for Databases and Business Intelligence platforms in EPG Belgium & Luxemburg. He then became a Strategist in the CATM (Customer Advocacy and Technology Management) organization which is a key-connection between the Microsoft Development teams and Customers /Partners. In this role, Gunther focuses on the Microsoft Data Platform, including SQL Server and Business Intelligence solutions. Prior to Microsoft, he was a developer and messaging engineer at a large financial institution in Brussels.

When?

Wednesday, September 29th 2010, starting at 1900.

Where?

The Microsoft offices in Zaventem.

Don’t forget to register here!

May the inspiration be with you while coming up with some questions

See you there!

Valentino.