SQL Server 2019 Workshop Lab

SQL Server 2019 is a modern data platform designed to tackle the challenges of today's data professional.

There is a new self-paced free lab is available to learn some of the concepts and how to solve modern data challenges using a hands-on lab approach.

SQL Server 2019 provides many new capabilities including:

• Data Virtualization with Polybase and Big Data Clusters to reduce the need for data movement
• Intelligent Performance to boost query performance with no application changes
• Security enhancements such as Always Encrypted and Data Classification
• Mission Critical Availability including Availability Groups on Kubernetes and Accelerated Database Recovery
• Modern Development capabilities including Machine Learning Services and Extensibility with Java and the language of your choice
• SQL Server on the platform of your choice with compatibility including Windows, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, and Arm64 (Azure SQL Database Edge)

Data Relay 2019 Registration is open

Data Relay is open for registration at all 5 venues.


Newcastle Monday 7 October
Leeds Tuesday 8 October 
Nottingham 9 October
Birmingham Wednesday 10 October
Bristol Friday 11 October





Data Relay is returning for its 9th year, and is heading your way in October 2019!

Data Relay features top quality Microsoft Data Platform content from Microsoft and internationally renowned speakers.

With over 1000 registrations on the last Relay, reserve your place quickly

The full agenda will be published shortly. The day will comprise of a series of 55 minute technical presentations, at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. You can switch tracks at will throughout the day, to select the sessions that are most relevant to you.

MVP Award Package

So excited to receive my #MVP award package and disk. It is such an honour to receive this for a second year. What an amazing  #data community we have. Thank you #Microsoft #MVPBuzz

On the award it says "We recognize and value your exceptional contributions to technical communities worldwide."

The thing I  value the most is helping and sharing data innovations with the community.  There are so many exciting developments, opportunities and benefits for the communities that data can bring. People are having extraordinary visions for the future, brought about with data and advanced analytics working together to solve complex problems.

I am looking forward to the next year of exciting data events.

Microsoft Inspire 2019 Corenotes

The Microsoft Inspire 2019 Corenotes with Satya Nadella and Brad Smith is being livestreamed tomorrow starting at 8:30AM PT. It can be watched on You Tube.  Microsoft Inspire is where partners meet to connect, collaborate and celebrate as one community.

What is Azure SQL Database Hyperscale

Azure SQL Database is based on SQL Server Database Engine architecture for the cloud environment. There are three architectural models that are used in Azure SQL Database:

• General Purpose/Standard
• Hyperscale
• Business Critical/Premium

The Hyperscale service tier in Azure SQL Database is a new service tier in the vCore-based purchasing model. The Hyperscale service tier in Azure SQL Database provides the following additional capabilities:

• Support for up to 100 TB of database size
• Nearly instantaneous database backups 
• Fast database restores that are based on file snapshots which take in minutes rather than hours or days
• Rapid scale out to provision one or more read-only nodes for offloading your read workload 
• Rapid Scale up and to accommodate intermittent heavy workloads 

Azure SQL Database Hyperscale reading

To learn more watch the video.

A Second Data Platform MVP Award

I am very excited to have received my second Data Platform MVP award. What an honour to receive this along with so many amazing Most Valuable Professionals (MVP).  It is such a privilege to share my passion for data with the community #MVPBuzz #SQLFamily 

The Microsoft Data Platform award is an amazing award. It recognizes exceptional technology community leaders worldwide who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with users and Microsoft.

There are so many exciting things approaching to share with the community. A few highlights are:

• Microsoft Ignite
• PASS Summit
• Data Relay UK
• SQL Server 2019 Big Data Clusters when it becomes available

I am keen to see what advancements may come from AI integration and always thinking about diversity and inclusion. It is great to think about data strategy and the power it holds over the future of business.