All TriPASS meetings are scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the offices of our sponsor, Tek Systems located at 1201 Edwards Mills Road, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC.
2010 Meetings
August Meeting - Presention #1
WHEN: Tuesday, August 17 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: Processing Flat Files with SSIS
SPEAKER: John Welch, SQL Server MVP
ABSTRACT:
When doing data integration, a common requirement is to work with flat files, whether for importing data into a system from an external source, or to export it to provide to other systems. SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) supports flat files, but there can be a number of challenges when working with them. This is particularly true if your flat files have multiple data formats contained in a single file, the data has complex formatting, or the files have inconsistent formatting. This session will help you to be more efficient when working with these types of files. You’ll learn to handle missing delimiters in the files, and parsing files that have multiple data formats. You’ll also see how to produce complex output formats.
Presentation: Presentation Files
August Meeting - Presention #2
WHEN: Tuesday, August 17 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: MS SQL Server and the State of NAND Flash Solid State
SPEAKER: Sumeet Bansal, Principal Solutions Architect for Fusion-io
ABSTRACT:
Solid-state technologies are changing the way that MS SQL Server users think about running their databases. Database administrators are discovering that the TCO savings associated with radical performance enhancements, reliability improvements and reduced energy and real estate costs of solid-state technologies are leading to changes in the way their datacenters look and how their MS SQL Servers perform.
Presentation: Presentation File
July Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, July 20 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: How, where, why, and when to use Dynamic SQL
SPEAKER: Tim Chapman, SQL Server MVP
ABSTRACT:
This session will be an in-depth session of the reasons for and against using dynamic SQL in applications. We'll look at different ways to write dynamic SQL statements, performance and security considerations that accompany using dynamic SQL, and how and when to take advantage of this powerful tool.
PRESENTATION: Presentation Files
June Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, June 15 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: Storage & IO Best Practices
SPEAKER: Andrew J. Kelly, SQL Server MVP, Solid Quality
ABSTRACT:
SQL Server relies heavily on a well configured storage sub-system to perform at its peak but unfortunately this is one of the most neglected or mis-configured areas of a SQL Server instance. Here we will focus on the best practices related to how SQL Server works with the underlying storage subsystem and what you can do to maximize the relationship between the two. The core topics will include discussions on SANs vs. Direct Attached storage, Raid Groups, Caching, Types of I/O, Number of Files & their placement and more.
Presentation: Presentation File
May Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, May 18 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: Adding SSRS Report Bells and Whistles
SPEAKER: Jessica M. Moss, SQL Server MVP, IronWorks Consulting
ABSTRACT:
Producing a good looking report will wow your business users even if your data isn't all that impressive. If you've ever had trouble finding the best way to display that data or how to show trends appropriately, this is the session for you. We will review grouping logic, graphs, gauges, and more in Reporting Services 2008. With the knowledge in this session, you won't ever need to show a plain, boring report again!
Presentation: Presentation File
April Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, April 20 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: Introduction to MDX
SPEAKER: Larry Sackett, EJ Barry
ABSTRACT:
In this session, we learned how MDX is used to add intelligence to SQL Server Analysis Services 2008 cubes, as well as to front-end BI tools such as Microsoft Reporting Services and Excel 2007. Demonstrations showed how MDX can be used to solve common business problems.
Presentation: Presentation and Script Files
March Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, March 16 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: Applied SSIS Design Patterns
SPEAKER: Andy Leonard, SQL Server MVP
ABSTRACT:
Attend and learn the Parent-Child SSIS design pattern, how to leverage less-than-well-documented characteristics of SSIS to centralize logging, and how to pass variable values between parent and child packages by value and by reference.
Presentation: SSIS Solution Files
February Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, February 16 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: PASS Summit 2009 Review
SPEAKER: Mark Gordon, TriPASS
ABSTRACT:
In this session, Mark will be covering several of the sessions that he attended during the course of the last PASS Summit. Mark will also be presenting information from pre-Summit sessions that are not available on the DVD set.
Some of the topics covered include:
- Transaction Log maintenance
- VLDBs and addressing challenges and performance issues
- SSIS tips and tricks
Presentation: TBD
January Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, January 19 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: What Is Business Intelligence (continued)
SPEAKER: Tracy Wallace, Global Knowledge
ABSTRACT:
In 1998, Microsoft released an add-on to SQL Server 7 called OLAP Services. This, with Data Transformation Services (DTS) represented Microsoft’s entry into the Business Intelligence marketplace. OLAP Services has now evolved into a powerful, enterprise class multi-dimensional analysis server called SQL Server Analysis Services. Despite the value that SSAS adds to the overall data capabilities of SQL Server, many organizations are either unaware of its value or feel it is too complex to learn and implement. In this seminar, we will cover the fundamentals of Analysis services and demonstrate how simple it is to implement. We will cover the fundamentals of BI, the basic architecture of SSAS, and walk through creating a simple analysis cube. Seminar attendees will take away an understanding of what Analysis Services is and how to implement an analysis structure.
Presentation: PowerPoint Presentation
2009 Meetings
December's Meeting #2
WHEN: Wednesday, December 16 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: Introduction to SQL Server Data Mining
SPEAKER: Peter Myers
ABSTRACT:
Data mining as a technology is designed to analyze large volumes of data looking for patterns that can accurately predict behaviour. These patterns can then be used to derive knowledge about data, and in turn this knowledge can be used to enhance application designs and user experience.
In this presentation Peter Myers will introduce data mining and the common business problems solved by the technology. He will then present an overview of SQL Server 2008 Data Mining and will demonstrate how to develop useful data mining models. Demonstrations will be based on SQL Server 2008 will involve some .NET development.
This presentation is a must for any database practitioner looking to explore the analytic capabilities available to them through SQL Server. It is guaranteed to thrill you with potential, and excite you with the ease in which it can be accomplished. Note that there is no requirement that attendees have any data mining background.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY:
Peter Myers has 12 years of solid experience working in OLTP database design and development, DBA support and Data Warehousing/Business Intelligence with SQL Server. Specializing in developing custom data-focused applications and reporting solutions, he provides architecting, development, implementation and support services at all tiers of a multi-tier application. In April 2008, Peter was re-awarded Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for the second time, and enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for Microsoft technologies by presenting at SQL Server user group meetings and technical events, including TechEd (US and Australia) and VSLive.
PRESENTATION: not available yet
December's Meeting #1
WHEN: Monday, December 7 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: Should I Virtualize SQL Server?
SPEAKER: Kevin Kline, SQL Server MVP
kevinekline.com
ABSTRACT:
In recent years, interest has surged in server virtualization technologies -- fueled by their potential to dramatically lower IT costs. This webcast will explore the needs of IT organizations with large SQL Server deployments and how they might benefit from a virtual infrastructure. See how you can dramatically lower your IT costs by virtualizing your SQL Server environment. With a special focus on IT organizations with large SQL Server deployments, virtualization MVP Kevin Kline will discuss:
- Benefits of virtualization and some of the decisions you must make
- Best practices in planning, deploying, and managing a virtual infrastructure for SQL Server 2005
- Ways to leverage storage, network, and computing resources to control costs and maximize return on investment of current infrastructure
- How SQL Server virtualization differs from multi-instancing
PRESENTATION: not available yet
November's Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, November 18 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: Introduction to SSRS 2008
SPEAKER: Brett Tomson, Chapter President
ABSTRACT:
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 was released to much fanfare, excitement and anticipation. The bevy of enhancements made to the various components coupled with sweeping performance gains made SQL Server 2008 one of the most competitve and feature-rich database platforms on the market. In this session, we will examine the enhancements made to Reporting Services in SQL Server 2008 as well as what changes to expect in R2 slated for release in early 2010.
PRESENTATION: PowerPoint Presentation
October's Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, October 13 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: What's new with SQL Server 2008 R2?
SPEAKER: Brian Egler, Global Knowledge
ABSTRACT:
SQL Server 2008 R2 is due out in the first half of 2010 and will include functional updates across the board. One new feature is the ability to monitor performance across multiple servers using the new SQL Server Utility. When setting up a Utility Control Point (UCP) you will be able to initialize a Utility Management Data Warehouse (UMDW) to collect performance metrics into a central repository for later reporting. This extends the current Data Collector functionality in SQL Server 2008 to support the Enterprise. We will explore this and other Database Engine features currently available for testing in the latest CTP.
PRESENTATION: Coming Soon...
September's Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, September 15 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: What Is Business Intelligence
SPEAKER: Sandra Mueller, MCT
ABSTRACT:
Database design is for programmers, right? Wrong – administrators and programmers need to be aware of database design because poor design cannot be overcome by adding terabytes of ram. Poor design will tax the best servers! In this session, we will explore how SQL Server stores data and retrieves the data that we place in tables. We will explore how table design (data types, partitioning, etc.) affects query performance and what strategies to implement to improve the design without rewriting existing code. Additionally, we will explore how indexes control data storage, when they hurt or help, when to use clustered and non-clustered indexes and the difference between included columns and multi-column indexes. Finally, we will highlight some key indicators to monitor your database design performance.
PRESENTATION: Coming Soon
August's Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, August 11 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: What Is Business Intelligence
SPEAKER: Tracy Wallace, Global Knowledge
ABSTRACT:
In 1998, Microsoft released an add-on to SQL Server 7 called OLAP Services. This, with Data Transformation Services (DTS) represented Microsoft’s entry into the Business Intelligence marketplace. OLAP Services has now evolved into a powerful, enterprise class multi-dimensional analysis server called SQL Server Analysis Services. Despite the value that SSAS adds to the overall data capabilities of SQL Server, many organizations are either unaware of its value or feel it is too complex to learn and implement. In this seminar, we will cover the fundamentals of Analysis services and demonstrate how simple it is to implement. We will cover the fundamentals of BI, the basic architecture of SSAS, and walk through creating a simple analysis cube. Seminar attendees will take away an understanding of what Analysis Services is and how to implement an analysis structure.
PRESENTATION: Coming Soon
July's Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, July 21 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: SSRS 2005 Deep Dive
SPEAKER: Brett Tomson, President, TriPASS
ABSTRACT:
This session is intended to provide greater insight into Reporting Services 2005 through the demonstration of advanced reporting techniques such as dynamic field placement, dynamic grouping, as well as techniques for linking disparate data sources and writing, implementing and deploying custom code. Also, this session will focus on the types of rendering options available for reports and their pros and cons as well as techiques for configuring SSRS for scalability, debugging and troubleshooting reports, and strategies for deploying reports in a variety of environments. If time permits, we'll play a game (yes, a game) hosted by SSRS and do some Q & A.
PRESENTATION: Presentation and Solution Files
June's Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, June 16 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: Things Your Mom Never Told You About SSMS
SPEAKER: Jason Hall - Sr. Developer, SQL Sentry, Inc.
ABSTRACT:
"This is a beginning to intermediate level presentation that aims to enlighten users of some of the more useful yet underutilized features of SQL Server Management Studio 2008. There will be explanations of the features and techniques as well as simple demonstrations throughout. This session provides something for both DBAs and developers of TSQL alike."
PRESENTATION: Powerpoint Presentation
May's Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, May 19 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: SSIS Tips and Tricks
SPEAKER: Andy Leonard, SQL Server MVP
ABSTRACT:
In this presentation, Andy will provide a brief introduction to SSIS for the uninitiated, then quickly dive into demos that highlight the power of SSIS. Hopefully, there will be time a at the end of the talk to do on-the-fly demos.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Andy Leonard is an Architect with Unisys Corporation, SQL Server database and Integration Services developer, SQL Server MVP, PASS Regional Mentor (Southeast US), and engineer. He is a co-author of Professional SQL Server 2005 Integration Services , Professional Software Testing with Visual Studio 2005 Team System: Tools for Software Developers and Test Engineers , and MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-441): Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 . Andy founded and manages VSTeamSystemCentral.com and maintains two blogs there: Applied Team System and Applied Business Intelligence . He also blogs for SQLBlog.com . Andy's background includes web application architecture and development, VB, and ASP; SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS); data warehouse development using SQL Server 2000, 2005, and 2008; and test-driven database development.
PRESENTATION: Coming Soon
April's Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, April 21 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: Getting the Most out of SQL Trace
SPEAKER: Andrew Kelly, Mentor, Solid Quality
ABSTRACT:
"In this presentation we will explore how to create, capture and analyze SQL Trace information in several easy steps and without inducing a large hit on your server. We will see when to use Profiler and when to use Trace instead along with how to use the RML utilities to analyze the information effectively. This presentation will be mostly demos and everyone should be able to utilize the content and or concepts right away in your own environment."
PRESENTATION: Coming Soon
March's Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, March 17 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: SQL Server 2008 Enhancements
SPEAKER: Brett Tomson, Chapter President
ABSTRACT:
"In this presentation, we will examine T-SQL enhancements introduced in SQL Server 2008 including Grouping Sets, the MERGE statement, Tabe-Valued Parameters, and new data types including Date, Time, and Spatial data types. If time permits, we will review some new administrative features in SQL 2008."
PRESENTATION: Presentation and Script Files
February's Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, February 17 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
TOPIC: Compression in SQL Server 2008
SPEAKER: Ashton Hobbs, Mentor, Solid Quality
ABSTRACT:
"The presentation will cover the new compression features with SQL Server 2008 and how they can be used to reduce disk usage and improve performance. The presentation will cover Backup Compression, Data (Page/Row) Compression as well as some of the gotchas with Page/Row compression and how you can work around them. We'll discuss when to use compression to get both performance gains and reduced disk cost as well as the cases where performance will suffer with compression."
PRESENTATION: Presentation and Script Files
January Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, January 27 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Tek Systems, 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 201 Raleigh, NC, 27607
TOPIC: SQL Server 2008 Resource Governor
SPEAKER: Jason Hall, Senior Developer, SQL Sentry, Inc.
ABSTRACT:
In this presentation, Jason will provide an overview of Resource Governor, a new feature in SQL Server 2008 that will give DBAs and system administrators much more granular control over how CPU and memory are used by SQL Server.
PRESENTATION: Presentation and Script Files