UK SQL Server User Group Events Feed

Maidenhead UG meeting, Unfortunately this session has had to be postponed.

07/02/2012

Unfortunately this session has had to be postponed.

Sacha Tomey presenting on Data Warehousing in SQL 2012 and Neil presenting Introducing Data Quality Services.

08/02/2012

Remember to tell your friends and the people you work with; make sure you register as soon as you can.

6.00pm - 6.30pm Networking / Biscuits

6.30pm - 6.35pm Intro

6.35pm - 7.20pm Neil presenting Introducing Data Quality Services

High quality data is essential to the efficiency and decision making of businesses and institutions. SQL Server 2012 features a new component 'Data Quality Services' (DQS) which gives us tools to resolve data quality issues. In this session we will take a look at, and demo DQS concepts, specifically focussing on data cleansing, data matching and the DQS Cleansing Component in SSIS.

7.20pm - 8.45pm Pizza

7.45pm - 9.00pm Sacha Tomey from Adatis presenting SQL Server 2012 Database Engine Enhancements for Data Warehousing

The SQL Server 2012 Database Engine provides additional support for Data Warehousing. In this demo-heavy session we will introduce three new areas relating to Performance (The Column Store Index), Productivity (T-SQL enhancements) and Unstructured Data (File Table and Semantic Search).

Directions:

Please use the entrance on Alba Road. The signs should point you in the right direction.

Http://www.SouthamptonSQLServerUserGroup.co.uk

Scottish Area SQL Server User Group February Meeting

09/02/2012

Scottish Area SQL Server User Group Meeting, Edinburgh - Thursday 9th February

We will also have the usual food and prize draws!

Agenda

18:00 - 18:30 - Introduction and Networking

18:30 - 19:30 - T-SQL Features in SQL Server 2012 with Martin Bell
The next version of SQL Server is shaping up to be a huge release this session will look at some of the T-SQL updates with demos of features available in RC0.

19:30 - 19:50 - Break
Time for mince pies and Xmas cake

19:50 - 20:50 - More SQL Server 2012 with Martin Bell
More SQL Server 2012 features with demos of features available in RC0.

Martin Bell
Martin is that suave and sophisticated SQL Server User Group leader who runs the SQL Server User Groups in Edinburgh and Leeds. On top of that he is one of the organisers of the biggest SQL Server conference in Europe - SQLBits. This takes place twice a year at different locations in the UK.

20:50 - 21:00 - Feedback, Prize Draw and Close

Location:

This meeting will be kindly hosted by Skyscanner

Skyscanner Ltd
5th Floor
Stamp Office
10 Waterloo Place
Edinburgh EH1 3EG

SQL Midlands - Evening SQL User Group - Cursors are evil with Dave Ballantyne and Powershell with James Boother

16/02/2012

Midlands SQL Server User Group, being held in The Briar Rose Pub in the centre of Birmingham on Thursday 16th February.

Session 1: Cursors are evil and shouldn't be used - with Dave Ballantyne

Session 2: Introduction to Powershell - with James Boother

6.00pm – 6:30pm Meet, Greet & Beer

6:30pm - 7:30pm Cursors are evil and shouldn't be used (Dave Ballantyne blog|twitter)

That’s frequent advice given on forums when asking about performance problems. Its correct advice, but how do you go about removing cursors and what do you replace them with? That’s the tricky part! By deconstructing a cursor based routine, Dave will demonstrate a number of TSQL techniques and how they can be applied to generate a new routine with significantly less overhead.

7:30pm - 8:00pm Break, Food & Beer

8:00pm – 9:00pm Introduction to Powershell (James Boother blog|twitter)

James will demonstrate what Powershell is, what it can do and why you should use it.

We'll be putting on food for the event, so please do register so we know numbers. If you then can't make it we'd really appreciate it if you'd unregister and/or let us know.

When you get to The Briar Rose, go in through the Hotel entrance to the right, up to the 1st floor and follow signs to the conference room. Grab yourself a drink from the bar on your way!

If you need any further details or have any requests for this or future Midlands SSUG events, please let me (Alex Whittles) know, either on Twitter (@PurpleFrogSys or @SSUGMidlands) or email SSUG@PurpleFrogSystems.com

See you in February!

Speaker profiles

Dave Ballantyne

Dave is a freelance SQLServer database developer/designer and has been working in the IT field for over 20 years. Tuning and optimizing SQLServer processes is his particular talent. Dave regularly contributes to online forums and is a regular speaker at UK events such as SQL Bits and user groups. He also is founder of the Kent .NET/SqlServer user group.

James Boother

James Boother is the co-founder of LSS a Microsoft Gold Partner delivering Dynamics CRM solutions. He's a passionate .NET and SQL developer working on projects in re-insurance risk modelling through to e-commerce, a formula 1 fan and Dad to three.

Cardiff User Group with Chris Webb and Dave Ballantyne

21/02/2012

19:00 – 19:30 Cursors are evil with Dave Ballantyne

There’s frequent advice given on forums when asking about performance problems. Its correct advice, but how do you go about removing cursors and what do you replace them with? That’s the tricky part! By deconstructing a cursor based routine, Dave will demonstrate a number of TSQL techniques and how they can be applied to generate a new routine with significantly less overhead.

Dave is a freelance SQLServer database developer / designer and has been working in the IT field for over 20 years, the past 15 of which has been specialising within SQLServer environment. Dave regularly contributes to online forums and is a regular speaker at UK events such as SQL Bits and user groups. He also is founder of the Kent .NET/SqlServer user group.

19:30 – 19:45 Break & Pizza

19: 45 – 20:45 Introduction to DAX calculations and queries with Chris Webb

DAX is Microsoft’s new multidimensional query and calculation language, used in PowerPivot and the BISM Tabular model. This session will introduce basic concepts in BISM and show how to write simple DAX queries and calculations.

Chris Webb is an independent consultant specialising in Analysis Services, MDX, PowerPivot and DAX. He is a co-author of "Expert Cube Development with SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services", and "MDX Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 and Hyperion Essbase", and blogs at http://cwebbbi.wordpress.com/

General Information

On arrival please sign in at the reception desk and wait in the foyer to be taken up to the room.

SQL User-Group meeting (North London)We have a non-central London UG event for this event and speakers (Chris Testa O'Neill (MVP) and Neil Hambly (UG Leader | DB Architect)

23/02/2012

6:00 – 6:30pm Registration and networking

Meet and greet.

6.30 - 7.30pm Neil Hambly Extended Events "New Age of Profiling"

Extended Events is the replacement for profiler in many respects, and will be the choice of capturing data from within SQL Server 2008 and in future editions, so we need to understand the differences this new tool has to profiler "old guard" and why we should be using this new feature for this purpose I'll take you on a Guided tour of the key aspects, and show you simply how in just minutes you can up and running and capturing data using this new method and how to analyse it effectively - Follow me to the "new age" of understanding your systems activity

7.30 - 8.00pm BREAK: Light refreshments

More time to network and ask questions...

8:00 – 9.00pm Speaker Chris Testa O'Neill (SQL Server MVP)

" BI Exam Question. Discuss: Reporting Services. A Sharepoint or SQL Server technology"

There is new world dawning with SQL Server Reporting services that is forcing SQL Server professionals to examine how Reporting Services is deployed and implemented within an infrastructure. It may seem scary but it is a situation we must face. Join Chris and face this question together as he explores how Reporting Services is evolving to bring about a new world order of collaboration, while leveraging the power of SQL Server.

Chris Testa-O'Neill is a SQL Server Microsoft Most Valuable Professional(MVP) and a Senior Consultant at Coeo specialising in SQL Server Business Intelligence. He is also a technical author, working on courses for SQL Server 2008 R2 with Microsoft Learning and advising on the SQL Server 2012 curriculum. Chris runs the Manchester SQL Server User Group and is an organiser for SQLBits. Chris has spoken at a range of events including user groups in the UK, Europe, Australia, and last year’s SQLPASS in the United States. Chris is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), MCDBA, MCTS and MCITP in SQL Server.

Jonathan Allen and Mark Broadbent both presenting

07/03/2012

Remember to tell your friends and the people you work with; make sure you register as soon as you can.

6.00pm - 6.30pm Networking / Biscuits

6.30pm - 9.00pm SQL Stuff happening

Directions:

Please use the entrance on Alba Road. The signs should point you in the right direction.

Wednesday meeting at the COOP Manchester with Tony Rogerson

14/03/2012

6:00 – 6:30pm Round Table discussion and Nuggets - ALL
Take stock and get the latest news in the SQL Server field. This is also a great opportunity to ask any burning questions you have, may be a problem at work.

It's also a great opportunity to share your knowledge and gain exposure in the industry by giving a short 1 - 6 minute "nugget" demo/tip.

6.30 – 7:30pm Session 1

7:30 – 7:50pm Break: Light refreshments
More time to network, ask questions and eat pizza...

7.50 – 8:50pm Session 2

8.50pm – 9.00pm Close

How to find us

By car
Manchester is served by a comprehensive motorway network
and is easily accessible from all areas of the country. The
Co-operative Group buildings are all located in close proximity
to the Arndale Centre, the Printworks and Victoria Station. The
landmark CIS building can be easily identified from most parts
of the city centre.
The most convenient public car parks are located on
Corporation Street and Miller Street. The area is also well
served with short-stay pay and display parking bays.

By bus, train or metrolink tram
The Co-operative Group buildings are just a short walk from
Manchester’ Victoria Station (trains, buses and trams) and
Shudehill tram station. From Piccadilly and Oxford Road
railway stations you can walk (allow 20 minutes), take a taxi
or catch a bus or tram to Victoria.

On arrival
Please report to reception in CIS Tower on Miller Street to sign in
before going to the relevant building.

Leeds User Group March Meeting with Chris Testa-O'Neill

15/03/2012

Network, learn, ask a question, meet other folk, get fed - these are all things that happen at user group events. These events are a really great opportunity to socialise in an informal learning experience - if you want your own exposure then come and do a 1 - 5 minute nugget in front of your peers.

Remember to tell your friends and the people you work with; make sure you register as soon as you can.

5.30pm – 6:00pm Registration and networking

Meet and greet.

6:00pm – 6:30pm Round Table discussion and Nuggets - ALL
Take stock and get the latest news in the SQL Server field. This is also a great opportunity to ask any burning questions you have, may be a problem at work.

It's also a great opportunity to share your knowledge and gain exposure in the industry by giving a short 1 - 6 minute "nugget" demo/tip.

6:30pm - 7:30pm TBD

7:30pm - 7:50pm BREAK: Light refreshments

More time to network and ask questions...

7:50pm – 8:50pm TBD

8:50pm - 9:00pm Close

SQLBits X - The UK Technical Launch event 29th - 31st March

29/03/2012

SQLBits is proving a storm at the moment with being the UK SQL Server 2012 Technical Launch

Visit www.sqlbits.com

TBC

04/04/2012

Remember to tell your friends and the people you work with; make sure you register as soon as you can.

6.00pm - 6.30pm Networking / Biscuits

6.30pm - 9.00pm SQL Stuff happening

Directions:

Please use the entrance on Alba Road. The signs should point you in the right direction.