Bob Ward

cloudblogs.microsoft.com/sqlserver

Bob Ward is a Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data team, which owns the development for Microsoft SQL ground to cloud to fabric. Bob has worked for Microsoft for 32 years on every version of SQL Server shipped from OS/2 1.1 to SQL Server 2025 including Azure SQL and SQL database in Fabric. Bob is a well-known speaker on SQL Server, Azure SQL, AI, and Microsoft Fabric often presenting talks on new releases, internals, and specialized topics at events such as SQLBits, Microsoft Build, Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, Fabric Community Conference, and VS Live. You can also learn Azure SQL from him on the popular series https://aka.ms/azuresql4beginners. You can follow him at @bobwardms or linkedin.com/in/bobwardms. Bob is the author of the books Pro SQL Server on Linux, SQL Server 2019 Revealed, Azure SQL Revealed, SQL Server 2022 Revealed, Azure SQL Revealed 2nd Edition, and SQL Server 2025 Unveiled available from Apress Media.

Bob Ward's Training Days

The Cloud Workshop for the SQL ProfessionalSQLBits 2024

Are you thinking, exploring, migrating, or have migrated from SQL Server to Azure? Come translate your SQL Server skills to the cloud in an interactive, hands-on workshop. (In-person only)

Azure SQL and SQL Server for Developers - Immersion WorkshopSQLBits 2023

Going "back to basics" and learn everything you need to know to use Azure SQL and SQL Server at their best and make them a jumpstart for your carreer

The SQL Server 2022 WorkshopSQLBits 2023

Immerse yourself in this day-long workshop on SQL Server 2022 including presentations, hands-on exercises, and interactive Q&A taught by the Microsoft engineering team. You will learn all aspects of what is new in SQL Server 2022 including features for hybrid, built-in query intelligence, industry-proven engine, data virtualization and object storage, and new T-SQL capabilities.

The Hand-on Azure SQL Workshop SQLBits 2022

Translate your existing SQL Server skills to Azure SQL with Bob Ward and Anna Hoffman. You will gain a foundational knowledge of what to use when, as well as how to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the "meat and potatoes" of SQL Server in Azure: Security, Performance, and Availability.

Migrate SQL Server to Azure SQLBits 2022

In this session, the Microsoft engineering team will show you everything you need to know based on a migration lifecycle of Assess, Migrate, and Optimize including our experience helping customers migrate. We will demonstrate to you all the tools and give you the knowledge you need to make your migrations seamless, cost efficient, and optimized for speed. This is your one-stop shop to learn how to migrate SQL Server to Azure.

The SQL Server 2019 WorkshopSQLBits 2020

Spend a day with the Microsoft engineering team learning all aspects of SQL Server 2019 using a hands-on, interactive approach.

The Azure SQL WorkshopSQLBits 2020

Translate your existing SQL Server expertise to Azure SQL including Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL managed instance. Learn how to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the meat and potatoes of SQL Server in Azure.

Modernize your database with SQL Server 2019SQLBits 2019

SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 are quickly approaching end-of-support. If you are looking to modernize your existing database workloads running on SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2, then attend this session to learn about how SQL Server 2019 can help you

A Day Inside SQL ServerSQLBits 2015

If you want to know the internals of SQL Server then this is the session for you. Prepare to have your brain melt in this deep session from the man who knows.

Customer Stories From The Front LineSQLBits 2013

Our Microsoft Support team deals with a lot of different types of customer issues, and we want to share some of the stories from these. Join this full-day pre-con to learn from some of the top customer issues and trends Microsoft Support has faced.

Bob Ward's Sessions

Experience SQL Server on Linux and ContainersSQLBits 2018

SQL Server 2017 is all about choice. Choice for developers to run on Windows, Linux, or Containers. In this session we will show you the experience of running SQL Server on Linux and Containers including a behind the scenes of how we built it.

Experience SQL Server 2017: The Modern Database PlatformSQLBits 2018

Looking to upgrade your SQL Server? This session will discuss all the new features and capabilities of SQL Server 2017 including SQL Server on Linux, Docker Containers, Graph Database, Python, Adaptive Query Processing, Automatic Tuning, and HADR.

SQL Server 2016 It Just Runs FasterSQLBits 2017

Come take a deep dive and behind the scenes look at why SQL Server 2016 "Just Runs Faster" with little or no application changes.

Enhancements that will make your SQL Server roar-SP1 Ed.SQLBits 2017

It just works – performance and scale in SQL Server 2016 database engine and what is being added to in-market versions.

Keep Your Environment Always On with SQL Server 2016SQLBits 2017

The Microsoft Tiger team will showcase the environments that help you keep your environment Always On

A Day Inside SQL ServerSQLBits 2015

If you want to know the internals of SQL Server then this is the session for you. Prepare to have your brain melt in this deep session from the man who knows.

Troubleshooting the Memory of SQL ServerSQLBits 2015

Memory is one of the most confusing and least understood topics for SQL Server. In this session, we will discuss and demonstrate tools and techniques for memory related problems that can occur with the SQL Server Database Engine.

Deploying SQL Server with Microsoft Azure Virtual MachineSQLBits 2015

Many customers are looking toward Cloud technologies to reduce operational and capital expenditures. A popular choices today for SQL Server customers is to deploy in the Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine environment. Come to this session and learn how

Customer Stories From The Front LineSQLBits 2013

Our Microsoft Support team deals with a lot of different types of customer issues, and we want to share some of the stories from these. Join this full-day pre-con to learn from some of the top customer issues and trends Microsoft Support has faced.

Windows Azure SQL Database TroubleshootingSQLBits 2013

While knowledge of SQL Server troubleshooting still applies to the Windows Azure SQL Database service, there are new and different features, methods, and tools that are unique to cloud database computing. Come learn about these new techniques.

Inside the SQL Server Transaction Log - Part 1SQLBits 2025

I believe that often learning internals of SQL Server provides you deep knowledge that can help you manage and use SQL Server more effectively. In this session, we will dive into the internals of the SQL Server transaction log including topics like log format, log cache, LSNs, virtual log files, log truncation, log backups, various log record examples, how to debug the log, and ways to monitor and view details of the transaction log.

The Cloud Workshop for the SQL ProfessionalSQLBits 2024

Are you thinking, exploring, migrating, or have migrated from SQL Server to Azure? Come translate your SQL Server skills to the cloud in an interactive, hands-on workshop. (In-person only)

SQLBits 2024 Opening KeynoteSQLBits 2024

The Opening Keynote

What You Should Know About Always On Availability GroupsSQLBits 2024

In this session, you will learn topics that are important for making your experience successful including architecture, licensing, monitoring, troubleshooting, cluster types, failover, contained, cloud, best practices, and more. We will bust some myths during this session and do some fun debugging of the internals of AGs.

Welcome to the world of SQL CopilotsSQLBits 2024

Microsoft is building a new experience of an AI companions called Copilot that are transforming how people work, write code, and solve problems faster. In this session come learn the latest innovations in SQL Copilot technology including GitHub Copilots for developing code and assisting with the T-SQL language. In addition you will get the latest look at Copilot technology to assist you in using and managing SQL in Azure. We will have plenty of demos in this session so come in and get ready to learn the new world of AI companions with SQL.

Come see your SQL Perfmon in the cloudSQLBits 2024

Come learn the latest innovations for monitoring technologies for SQL Server and Azure SQL

The Microsoft Data Leadership PanelSQLBits 2024

SQL Server and Windows Server Better together on AzureSQLBits 2024

Join us to learn how you can reap more technical and business benefits by running Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure. In this session you will get a first look at Windows Server vNext and innovative technologies for SQL Server including new monitoring and AI experiences.

Meet the PG: SQL LeadershipSQLBits 2024

Come meet the leadership team for all things SQL Server & Azure SQL. Introduce yourself and ask questions - including Asad Khan, Sanjay Mishra, Muazma Zahid, Ajay Jagannathan, Joe Sack, Tejas Shah, Dhananjay Mahajan, Buck Woody, and more.

Ask the Expert - Group A (Fri, 16:20 to 16:40)SQLBits 2024

Come and see to some of our amazing speakers on one of these topics: 1. SQL and Databases: 2. Microsoft Fabric and Related Technologies: 3. Power BI and Data Visualization: 4. Azure and Cloud Technologies: