Sunday, October 31, 2010

Vote for Our SQL Rally Pre-con

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!!!!!

Vote here:  http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BD59JCQBT

Honestly, I want each of reading my blog to vote for our Pre-con(Full Day Business Intelligence Workshop).  However, as with any voting process you have choices.  Well....in most cases you do.  We often feel or believe that our vote does not count.  I really believe that this is going to be a little different.  I am really excited about the SQL Rally and more excited that our Preconference seminar was selected as one of those that are now being voted upon.  So, why should you vote for our Pre-con?

I have been referencing the pre-con as "Ours", that is because four individuals will be delivering the conference.  The team of presenters/authors include Adam Jorgensen, Mike Davis, Devin Knight, and myself.  I am not going to list the credentials for each person, but I will say that each presenter has taught full day courses in building Data Warehouses, SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS.  In addition, we are all regular speakers at various SQL Server events, including SQL Saturdays, Users Groups, and PASS.

Still not convinced?  Each member of this team has designed, created and delivered solutions that encompass each of the tools that will be presented during the Precon.  First, we will spend time teaching you how to transform your Operational database to a data warehouse.  Adam Jorgensen will take a deep dive into Dimensional Modeling and all the techniques required to create you data warehouse database.  In the next three sections, which are all very demo-centric, you will learn from Devin Knight, Mike Davis and myself how to build SSIS Packages to load your data warehouse fully or incrementally, then we will show you how to create and maintain an SSAS cube and finally we will use SSRS to create visually appealing reports for your end-users.

This may seem like a lot to accomplish in one day, but we will be taking a very explicit and focused approach in regards to each technology.  For example, we are not going to discuss every transform in the SSIS control and data flow toolboxes.  However, we will provide detail explanations of the tasks that are vital when building and ETL solution.  At the end of the day you will leave with the knowledge and tools needed to build a complete data warehouse solution.  As an extra touch, we will not be using the traditional Adventure Works database for our demonstrations.  We will be using some real world data that will enhance the discussions and potentially create a more engaging learning experience for all attendees.

So with that, I am not going to restate our abstract, nor am I going to talk about how good all the other sessions are.  What am I going to say is that as a part of the community and a potential attendee of these Precons, go and vote so your can make a difference!  Hey, I kind of sound like a politician, maybe I will run for the PASS board next year ;).  See you all at the PASS Summit in two weeks and hopefully next year at our SQL Rally Preconference Seminar.

Go make it happen! There's a lot of good seminars, go read about them here:

BI Sessions: http://www.sqlpass.org/sqlrally/2011/PreConsforVotingBI.aspx

DBA Sessions: http://www.sqlpass.org/sqlrally/2011/PreConsforVotingDba.aspx

Developer Sessions: http://www.sqlpass.org/sqlrally/2011/PreConsforVotingDev.aspx

Misc Sessions: http://www.sqlpass.org/sqlrally/2011/PreConsforVotingMisc.aspx

Talk to you soon,

Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP, founder www.SQLLunch.com

Visit www.BIDN.com, Bring Business Intelligence to your company.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

1st Houston Microsoft Business Intelligence User Group

Tyler Chessman of Microsoft has started a Business Intelligence Users Group in Houston.  The group will meet online  and onsite quarterly.  If you are interested in attending here are the meeting details:

Houston – Microsoft Business Intelligence User Group

We would like to invite you to the very 1st Houston Microsoft Business Intelligence User Group.  This event will take place on Wednesday October 20th, 2010 from 11:15 – 1:00 p.m. at the Microsoft Houston Office  (location and map below).   LiveMeeting will also be available for remote attendees.

Learn the latest and greatest in BI - along with practical advice for getting the most out of your existing technology investments.

No RSVP needed.

Cost

This is a free event; lunch will be provided.

Who should attend

BI Practitioners from both an IT &  business background should attend.   We’ll have two presentations (see Topics below) of interest to both IT and business analysts/power users.

Date
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010.  11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location

One Briar Lake Plaza

2000 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. S. #350

Houston, TX 77042

Phone: (832) 252-4300

See map and/or driving directions

Live Meeting Link for Remote Attendees - Join the meeting

Make sure the Office Live Meeting client is installed before the meeting:

· I am connecting from inside the Microsoft network

· I am connecting from outside the Microsoft network

Topics

· Introducing SQL Server 2008 R2 Master Data Services (MDS):

Master Data Management is a key enabler in improving the timeliness, quality and reliability of BI with the ultimate goal of improving business performance.  This session will be a primer on how to get started with Master Data Management using MDS.

Speaker:  Satheesh Kumar is the principal/lead consultant for Catapult Systems, a Microsoft-focused IT consulting firm. Satheesh has been developing with Microsoft technologies since 1996 and has deep experience in web applications, business intelligence and business analytics. He is currently focused on providing professional solutions using the latest technologies, including the Microsoft BI technology stack.  He has an MBA from RICE University, interested  in data mining research. He can be reached online at http://businessintelligence101.wordpress.com/

· Excel Tips and Tricks - Working with External Data

In this talk, Jim is going to share tips/tricks for working in Excel, specifically how to build flexible data extracts from relational databases, including passing parameters from Excel to SQL Server or Access.

Speaker:  Jim Cline is a Senior Manager of Ad-Hoc Reporting at Service Corporation International, the world’s largest funeral home and cemetery consolidator; he has been with SCI for about 14 years.  Jim’s department creates ad hoc reporting in Excel, Access, SQL Server, and web-based reports and applications.  Jim has a strong business background and mastery of Excel, including:

•         Previously with Arthur Andersen as a tax accountant and real estate appraiser (7 years).

•         Degree from the University of Houston with a BBA in Accounting and Taxation.

•         Founded ClineSys, an Excel and Access training system.  Currently has two Excel courses (2003 and 2007) and two Access/SQL courses (2003 and 2007).  www.ClineSys.com .  ClineSys is approved by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and CPAs can earn 40 hours of CPE credit by taking the Excel (2003 or 2007) course.

Come out and support the new group. 

Talk to you soon,

Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP, MCTS, founder SQL Lunch

Visit www.BIDN.com, Bring Business Intelligence to your company.

Monday, October 18, 2010

MDX Puzzles (New Author)

Well I am sure most of you noticed that I haven't posted an MDX puzzle in some time.  After much consideration I have decided to pass the torch to someone that I feel will devote the time needed to help you all continue with your learning.  So with that, I would like to introduce or re-introduce you all to Dustin Ryan the new MDX Puzzle guy.  Dustin is a consultant for Pragmatic Works and a regular blogger on BIDN.com.  He is also very skilled with MDX. 

I am not quite sure when Dustin is going to start posting the puzzles, but I am sure it is going to be soon.  Thanks Dustin for stepping taking in over. 

Talk to you soon,

Patrick LeBlanc (form MDX puzzler), SQL Server MVP, MCTS and founder SQL Lunch

Visit www.BIDN.com, Bring Business Intelligence to your company.

SQL Lunch #40 - Mirroring: The Bear Necessities

I am excited to announce a new speaker to the SQL Lunch, Ryan Adams.  Ryan will be discussing Database Mirroring and how it has become an integral part of high availability and  disaster recovery planning.  See the following meeting details:

Lunch Image

Speaker: Ryan Adams

Meeting URL:  https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=6J9BKQ&role=attend

Add To Outlook: Add To Calendar

Date and Time: 10/19/2010 11:30:00 AM CST
BIO: Ryan is a highly skilled Microsoft oriented administrator and has worked for a Fortune 100 company for 12 years. In his time there he has supported everything from desktop to server. Most recently he has served as a senior Active Directory Architect and Identity Management (MIIS, ILM, FIM) Consultant. He is the sole SQL Server DBA for his group, supporting both vendor databases and custom databases. His primary focus is database design and performance, but also works with SSRS report development, and SSIS ETL. He enjoys being involved in the SQL community and serves on the board of directors for the North Texas SQL Server User Group. He is well versed in many core Microsoft technologies, has implemented and supported them both nationally and internationally for a company of 250k+ users, and holds the following certifications: MCP MCSA MCSE MCDBA - SQL 2000 MCTS - SQL 2005 MCITP - SQL 2005


Topic: #40-Mirroring: The Bear Necessities
Mirroring can be an integral part of your high availability and disaster recovery planning. We’ll cover what mirroring is, how it can fit into an HA/DR plan, the rules surrounding its use, configuration via the GUI and T-SQL, as well as how to monitor mirroring. This presentation is designed to not only give you an overview of mirroring, but to also walk you through a basic implementation. At the end you will have learned what mirroring is, how it can fit into your environment, what business requirements it solves, and how to configure it.

See you at Lunch,

Patrick LeBlanc, founder SQL Lunch, SQL Server MVP, MCTS

Visit www.BIDN.com, Bring Business Intelligence to your company.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Speaking at SQL Saturday #49 Orlando

After making the trip last weekend to Houston for Houston Techfest with the kids I am off again, but this time alone.  On Friday I will fly into Orlando for the Speaker dinner, which is always a lot of fun.  On Saturday I will be presenting two sessions.  The first is a mini session on Speaking and the second is on using Change Data Capture and SSIS to load a Slowly Changing Dimension.  This is my second time speaking at SQL Saturday in Orlando.  If you are in the area stop by.  Registration is still open.

Talk to you soon,

Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP, MCTS, Founder SQL Lunch

Visit www.BIDN.com, Bring Business Intelligence to your company.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Why do I contribute to the SQL Server Community?

As an active speaker and volunteer in the SQL Server community I am often asked why do I do it?  Sometimes, I actually ask myself that question, but when I think about how the community as a whole operates (quick to answer questions and join discussions) any doubt is quickly removed.  Think about this, in what community can you post a question on twitter or send an email to someone you met at a community event and before you know it, you have several responses to your question.  I became active in the community almost three years ago and I was embraced (not physically, well maybe by a couple) by several people who I considered to be some the of the top SQL Server professionals in the community.  So why not give back?  If I had to list the TOP (5) reasons as to why I do it, it would hard for me to narrow it down.  Fortunately, I am always up to a challenge so here are my TOP 5 reasons:

1.  Contributing to the community, continually increases my knowledge about SQL Server and all of it's components.

2.  Allows me to meet a bunch of really talented SQL Server professionals.  Networking, Networking, Networking....

3.  Can't forget about job opportunities, because I landed my current job with Pragmatic Works at a SQL Saturday event where I was speaking.

4.  Allows me to travel to places that I have never been (a selfish reason) ;).

5.  Honestly, I enjoy it.

So why do you contribute?  Write your own blog post and share it with the community.

Talk to you soon,

Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP, MCTS, Founder SQL Lunch

Visit www.BIDN.com, Bring Business Intelligence to your company.

Speaking at South Florida SQL Server User Group

I will be speaking at the South Florida SQL Server User Group on October 13 via Live Meeting.  My topic is Introduction to Change Data Capture with SSIS.  If you have some time logon and watch the meeting.

Meeting URL:  https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/mvp/join?id=PWWZ93&role=attend&pw=47WFd%7EC%5CJ

In thisLeBlanc presentation I will Introduce Change Data Capture and show how it can be used to incrementally load a Slowly Changing Dimension.  Hope to see some of you online.

Talk to you soon,

Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP, MCTS, Founder SQL Lunch

Visit www.BIDN.com, Bring Business Intelligence to your company.