Haider Raza

The first part of this two-part session will deliver an in-depth introduction to Azure SQL as it relates to broader real-world modernization scenarios. We will start with a concise overview of Azure SQL, underscoring various Azure SQL service features and the rationale behind customers' selection of specific Microsoft SQL services for their workloads. Attendees will also acquire valuable perspectives regarding the factors that drive organizations to transition to Azure, including considerations of cost and performance. The first part of our session will finish with an overview of migration tools, including practical demonstrations, emphasizing how to identify the optimal solution for database migrations. The second part of the session, after a brief break, will cover individual customer case studies, illustrating how various workloads were efficiently modernized and migrated to Azure SQL.

Following on from the first part of this session and the initial overview of Azure SQL’s features and migration tools, this second part of our session dives into real customer modernization projects in greater detail. We’ll explore how various organizations successfully migrated critical workloads to Azure SQL, including the motivations that drove their decisions and the practical steps they took to ensure a smooth transition to Azure. By examining these concrete real-world examples, you’ll discover the tangible benefits these organizations are now experiencing, such as improved performance, scalability, and cost efficiency. Additionally, you’ll gain actionable insights and best practices that can help guide your own cloud modernization efforts, making your journey to Azure SQL both effective and rewarding.

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.

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.

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.

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.