22-25 April 2026 
Advanced Accidental Database Design for SQL Server 2016
2016TL; DR
In this advanced workshop we cover enhancements in SQL Server 2016 for building databases in an enterprise environment on modern project teams.
Session Details
In this advanced workshop we cover enhancements in SQL Server 2016 for building databases in an enterprise environment on modern project teams.
With demonstrations and several exercises, this workshop uses group labs to cover advanced database design skills…but this isn’t your average "Here's how to create a table, now go build a database" course. Our goal is to cover new features in SQL Server 2016 that are relevant to modern enterprise development practices. We’ll talk about some of the pain points designers feel as well as the costs, benefits, and risks associated with design choices.
Discussion topics will include:
• Advanced database design process
• Advanced Data Types (XML, JSON, Geospatial)
• Files/Filegroups/Partitioning/Archiving/Stretching
• Security/Encryption/Data masking/Audit
• Advanced Table design Topics {Temporal/Hekaton/Compression}
• Other Advanced Topics
Attendees will leave this session with an understanding of the following:
• Advanced database design process for modern enterprise development projects
• New and advanced features available in SQL Server 2016
• How to decide which design choice is the right design choice for your needs
The day will include lecture style format as well as interactive discussions and exercises.
Attendee prerequisites:
Hands-on experience with SQL Server (any version) basic design concepts including normalization, constraints, indexes, datatypes and integrity features. Basic understanding of database administration concepts. Familiarity with basic Azure and Data Platform features.
With demonstrations and several exercises, this workshop uses group labs to cover advanced database design skills…but this isn’t your average "Here's how to create a table, now go build a database" course. Our goal is to cover new features in SQL Server 2016 that are relevant to modern enterprise development practices. We’ll talk about some of the pain points designers feel as well as the costs, benefits, and risks associated with design choices.
Discussion topics will include:
• Advanced database design process
• Advanced Data Types (XML, JSON, Geospatial)
• Files/Filegroups/Partitioning/Archiving/Stretching
• Security/Encryption/Data masking/Audit
• Advanced Table design Topics {Temporal/Hekaton/Compression}
• Other Advanced Topics
Attendees will leave this session with an understanding of the following:
• Advanced database design process for modern enterprise development projects
• New and advanced features available in SQL Server 2016
• How to decide which design choice is the right design choice for your needs
The day will include lecture style format as well as interactive discussions and exercises.
Attendee prerequisites:
Hands-on experience with SQL Server (any version) basic design concepts including normalization, constraints, indexes, datatypes and integrity features. Basic understanding of database administration concepts. Familiarity with basic Azure and Data Platform features.
3 things you'll get out of this session
Speakers
Karen Lopez's previous sessions
Graphs Are Everywhere - Graph DB Support in SQL vNext
Learn about graph databases and how they are implemented in SQL Server vNext
7 Databases in 70 Minutes
Learn about 7 SQL and NoSQL databases: how they work, when to use them, and how they form a modern data architecture
5+ Database Design Blunders and How to Avoid Them
Karen discusses five (plus a few more) database design blunders with tips on how to avoid them. Audience members will also be able to contribute their war stories of design fails, WTHs and D'ohs.
Thomas LaRock
thomaslarock.com
Thomas LaRock's previous sessions
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