
Haider Raza
Haider has over 25 years of experience pre-dominantly in data. He has designed and implemented multiple greenfield business intelligence applications, data lake and data warehouses. He has worked across industries, across geographies and across customer segments. He is currently working with Microsoft and participate actively in various forums and events talking on topics such as Data strategy, Data Governance, Data Architecture, Data modernisation and Open source database technologies
Haider Raza's Sessions
Mastering Azure SQL PaaS: A 100-Minute Journey from Novice to ExpertSQLBits 2024
Welcome to a comprehensive deep dive into the world of Azure SQL Platform as a Service (PaaS). In this 100-minute session tailored for beginners to intermediate SQL Server professionals, we will embark on a transformative journey, transitioning you from a novice to a hero in Azure SQL. Whether you have limited understanding or are new to Azure SQL, this session is your gateway to mastering key concepts, deployment options, and advanced techniques in a condensed, informative, and engaging format.
Session Highlights:
1. Introduction to Azure SQL:
Overview of Azure SQL: Understand the fundamental concepts of Azure SQL, including its architecture, benefits, and integration with the Azure ecosystem.
Deployment Models: Explore various deployment options, including Single Database, Elastic Pool, and Managed Instance, understanding the best use cases for each.
2. High Availability and Business Continuity:
Business Continuity: Delve into high availability and disaster recovery features in Azure SQL, such as Geo-Replication, Automatic Failover Groups, and Backup and Restore options.
3. Migration of SQL Server to Azure SQL:
Assessment and Planning: Learn the essential steps for assessing existing SQL Server databases and creating a migration plan tailored for Azure SQL.
Migration Tools: Explore practical migration tools and methods, ensuring a smooth transition from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL.
4. Admin Tasks and Performance Optimization:
Administering Azure SQL: Dive into administrative tasks such as configuring database file layout, time zones, backup and restore, maintenance tasks etc.
5. Security and Compliance:
Data Security: Explore Azure SQL built-in security features
Compliance: Discuss compliance standards and practices, ensuring your Azure SQL deployments meet regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
Who Should Attend:
SQL Server Professionals: Database administrators, developers, and architects seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in Azure SQL.
Beginners to Intermediate: Individuals with little or moderate understanding of Azure SQL, aiming to build a strong foundation and expertise in the platform.
Empowering SQL: Mastering Intelligent Query Processing in 20 MinutesSQLBits 2024
Dive into the heart of database optimization with our 20-minute session on Intelligent Query Processing (IQP) in SQL Server and Azure SQL. In this power-packed talk, we will demystify IQP, the driving force behind accelerated query performance.
We'll begin with a quick overview, highlighting the pivotal role of IQP in query optimization and database efficiency. Then, we'll dive into key IQP features focusing on their impacts in real-world.
Managed Instance Link - Seamless migration to AzureSQLBits 2023
We, the cloud solutions architects from Microsoft, will be talking around SQL migration journey from on-prem to Azure SQL in general, taking you through all available Microsoft's migration tools like DMA, DMS, Azure Migrate, ADS, etc, and then focus on migration to Managed Instance using SQL MI Link. You should take away with you the understanding of when to use which tool and how the newly available Azure SQL Managed Instance Link can help you to achieve a minimum downtime migration of on-prem SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance.
The Power of Polybase with SQL - True data VirtualisationSQLBits 2023
Customers would be able to understand what exactly Polybase is, why it's useful, what are the use cases and finally how to use this feature of SQL Server.
Polybase have been around for quite some time, since SQL Server 2016, however, the awareness and the way it virtualises the data may not have been understood well for some customers.
AI Fundamentals for SQL and Data Professionals: Your First Step to AI-900 CertificationSQLBits 2026
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the data landscape, and Microsoft Azure makes it accessible for everyone. This session is designed for SQL Server professionals and data experts who want to take their first step into AI. We’ll demystify AI concepts, explore Azure AI services, and show how you can start building AI solutions without needing to be a data scientist.
You’ll leave with a clear roadmap to prepare for the AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certification, practical resources, and confidence to begin your AI journey.
Data Modernisation with Open Standards: Apache Iceberg in Fabric, Databricks and SnowflakeSQLBits 2026
Data modernization isn’t just about moving to the cloud, it’s about building a future-proof architecture that scales, interoperates, and avoids vendor lock-in. Apache Iceberg is the open standard making this possible, and platforms like Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, and Snowflake are leading the charge. In this session, we’ll show you how to harness Iceberg to unify your data estate and deliver analytics at enterprise scale.
GenBI - A new world where AI meets BISQLBits 2026
Business Intelligence is evolving beyond dashboards. AI is now the engine driving insights. Imagine asking questions in natural language and instantly generating reports, models, and actionable insights. In this session, we’ll show how Microsoft Copilot and Fabric Data Agents make this a reality for enterprises.
SQL in Fabric - Isn't it confusing?SQLBits 2026
SQL Server is designed as an operational database, while Microsoft Fabric is a SaaS platform built for analytics. They serve fundamentally different purposes, with distinct business and technical requirements. So why bring them together? The answer lies in unlocking new possibilities, combining transactional data with advanced analytics to deliver real-time insights, streamline data workflows, and enable AI-driven decision-making. In this session, we’ll explore the benefits and use cases of this integration, from simplifying data pipelines to empowering self-service analytics at scale.
Mastering Azure SQL PaaS: A 100-Minute Journey from Novice to ExpertSQLBits 2024
Welcome to a comprehensive deep dive into the world of Azure SQL Platform as a Service (PaaS). In this 100-minute session tailored for beginners to intermediate SQL Server professionals, we will embark on a transformative journey, transitioning you from a novice to a hero in Azure SQL. Whether you have limited understanding or are new to Azure SQL, this session is your gateway to mastering key concepts, deployment options, and advanced techniques in a condensed, informative, and engaging format.
Session Highlights:
1. Introduction to Azure SQL:
Overview of Azure SQL: Understand the fundamental concepts of Azure SQL, including its architecture, benefits, and integration with the Azure ecosystem.
Deployment Models: Explore various deployment options, including Single Database, Elastic Pool, and Managed Instance, understanding the best use cases for each.
2. High Availability and Business Continuity:
Business Continuity: Delve into high availability and disaster recovery features in Azure SQL, such as Geo-Replication, Automatic Failover Groups, and Backup and Restore options.
3. Migration of SQL Server to Azure SQL:
Assessment and Planning: Learn the essential steps for assessing existing SQL Server databases and creating a migration plan tailored for Azure SQL.
Migration Tools: Explore practical migration tools and methods, ensuring a smooth transition from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL.
4. Admin Tasks and Performance Optimization:
Administering Azure SQL: Dive into administrative tasks such as configuring database file layout, time zones, backup and restore, maintenance tasks etc.
5. Security and Compliance:
Data Security: Explore Azure SQL built-in security features
Compliance: Discuss compliance standards and practices, ensuring your Azure SQL deployments meet regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
Who Should Attend:
SQL Server Professionals: Database administrators, developers, and architects seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in Azure SQL.
Beginners to Intermediate: Individuals with little or moderate understanding of Azure SQL, aiming to build a strong foundation and expertise in the platform.
Empowering SQL: Mastering Intelligent Query Processing in 20 MinutesSQLBits 2024
Dive into the heart of database optimization with our 20-minute session on Intelligent Query Processing (IQP) in SQL Server and Azure SQL. In this power-packed talk, we will demystify IQP, the driving force behind accelerated query performance.
We'll begin with a quick overview, highlighting the pivotal role of IQP in query optimization and database efficiency. Then, we'll dive into key IQP features focusing on their impacts in real-world.
Managed Instance Link - Seamless migration to AzureSQLBits 2023
We, the cloud solutions architects from Microsoft, will be talking around SQL migration journey from on-prem to Azure SQL in general, taking you through all available Microsoft's migration tools like DMA, DMS, Azure Migrate, ADS, etc, and then focus on migration to Managed Instance using SQL MI Link. You should take away with you the understanding of when to use which tool and how the newly available Azure SQL Managed Instance Link can help you to achieve a minimum downtime migration of on-prem SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance.
The Power of Polybase with SQL - True data VirtualisationSQLBits 2023
Customers would be able to understand what exactly Polybase is, why it's useful, what are the use cases and finally how to use this feature of SQL Server.
Polybase have been around for quite some time, since SQL Server 2016, however, the awareness and the way it virtualises the data may not have been understood well for some customers.
Azure Purview - Not just a data catalogSQLBits 2022
Azure Purview - What exactly it
Why Open source databases can't be ignoredSQLBits 2022
Deep understanding of open source databases on Azure discussing some of the concerns around security, scalability and support.