Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Room 320-321
Azure Cosmos DB for Developers: From Basics to AI
Hasan Savran
Microsoft MVP, Owner of SavranWeb ConsultingS, Sr. Business Intelligence Manager at Progressive Insurance
This workshop is perfect for any developer eager to explore how to integrate Azure Cosmos DB into their applications! We’ll dive into the ins and outs of Azure Cosmos DB, helping you gain a thorough understanding of its architecture, features, and handy tools. We’ll also cover essential concepts like partitioning and data modeling for distributed NoSQL databases, making sure you feel confident in working with this powerful technology.
The workshop will include an in-depth look at all the database services offered by Azure Cosmos DB, with a primary focus on the SQL API. We will utilize the Azure Cosmos DB Emulator as much as possible, so participants may not need an Azure subscription for most of the workshop. Additionally, attendees will learn how to use the Azure Cosmos DB Data Migration Tool to migrate data from various sources into Azure Cosmos DB.
Azure Cosmos DB provides a range of AI capabilities via Azure AI Foundry. In the workshop's concluding section, participants will explore AI features and vector data options available in Azure Cosmos DB.
Participants are welcome to join the workshop with or without their computer, as there will be valuable learning opportunities regardless of whether a computer is used.
Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Room 340-341
Advanced Data Protection Strategies with SQL Server: A Hands-on Workshop
John Sterrett
CEO of ProcureSQL
This workshop equips developers and database professionals with the practical skills needed to implement robust data protection in their SQL Server environments. It creates systems where sensitive information remains secure even from privileged users like database administrators.
Through structured, hands-on exercises, participants will:
Discover and Classify sensitive data using SQL Server's built-in tools—establishing the foundation for a comprehensive security strategy
Implement Column-Level Protection through Dynamic Data Masking and Always Encrypted, including advanced scenarios with secure enclaves that maintain query performance while protecting data confidentiality
Deploy Row-Level Security to enforce granular access controls based on user context, ensuring proper data isolation and visibility
Establish Audit Trails to monitor and track all interactions with classified data, supporting compliance requirements and enabling security incident investigations
Throughout the day, participants will progressively build a secured database and a .NET web application, integrating each security feature into a cohesive solution. By the session's end, attendees will have developed a proof-of-concept that demonstrates enterprise-grade data protection techniques that satisfy security requirements while maintaining application functionality.
Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Room 342
Deep Dive: Building a framework for orchestration in Azure Data Factory
Martin Schoombee
Chief Data Wrangler at 28twelve consulting
Finding the balance between cost, efficiency and performance for cloud-based ETL processes can be a tricky proposition, and a good ETL framework will help you get there.
In this all-day session we will take a deep dive into what the components of such a framework may look like in Azure Data Factory, and why orchestration can be a good option if you're trying to minimize cost. We will also do an in-depth review of an actual framework I've developed and use today, which you can use as a starting point for your own efforts.
If you are currently using Azure Data Factory and feel like you're recreating the wheel all the time, or if you're planning to move from SSIS to ADF in the future and would like some ideas on how to create an ETL framework, this will be the perfect training day for you.
Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Room 343
A Comprehensive Guide to Direct Lake for the Pro Data Modeller
Patrick LeBlanc
Principal Program Manager, MIcrosoft
Philip Seamark
Microsoft Fabric CAT team
Join us for a workshop designed specifically for Pro Data Modellers. This comprehensive session will guide you through all the critical elements needed to build, tune, and maintain a Direct Lake Model in Microsoft Fabric.
Throughout the workshop, you will delve into essential topics such as: -Understanding the prerequisites for setting up your model. -Exploring the anatomy of Parquet files and their role in data storage. -Mastering transcoding and framing techniques to optimize data processing. -Implementing SQL fallback strategies for enhanced reliability. -Discovering new features and how they can benefit your projects. -Ensuring robust security measures to protect your data. -Fine-tuning performance to achieve optimal efficiency. -Navigating the migration process with ease. -Tackling advanced topics to elevate your modelling skills.
By the end of this workshop, you will have gained the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a Direct Lake Model, ensuring your projects are both efficient and secure.
Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Room 344
Database Administration for the Non Database Administrator
Denny Cherry
Owner and Principal Consultant, Denny Cherry & Associates Consulting
In this all day session on Microsoft SQL Server we will be learning about how Microsoft SQL Server works, both in Azure and on-premises, and what needs to be done to keep it up and running smoothly when you don't have a full-time database administrator on staff to help you keep it running.
In this session, we will cover a variety of topics, including backups, upgrade paths, indexing, database maintenance, database corruption, patching, virtualization, disk configurations, high availability, database security, database mail, anti-viruses, scheduled jobs, and much, much more.
From a product perspective, we'll examine SQL Server in an Azure VM, Azure SQL DB, and Azure SQL DB Managed Instance, as well as the on-prem options, including SQL Server on-premises options, including Azure Arc hosted deployments.
After taking this full-day session on SQL Server you'll be prepared to take the information that we go over and get back to the office, get the SQL Server's patched and properly configured so that they run without giving you problems for years to come.
Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Room 347
PowerShell DBA Dream dbatools Workshop
Ben Miller
DBAduck
Unlock the power of automation and enhance your database management skills in this full-day PowerShell workshop designed for DBAs. This session will equip you with essential skills and streamline your daily operations and reduce manual errors through scripting and automation.
We will start with PowerShell fundamentals before moving into advanced scripting best practices tailored to the needs of SQL Server management. A key highlight of the workshop is our in-depth exploration of the dbatools module—a powerful, community-built toolkit that simplifies SQL Server management tasks. With over 700 cmdlets/functions it is a treasure trove of greatness (in my opinion). This mostly demo session with many real-world examples, you’ll learn how to leverage dbatools to automate tasks such as backups, restores, performance monitoring, and migrations, dramatically enhancing your operational efficiency.
Whether you’re looking to learn PowerShell and dbatools or to explore automation strategies, this workshop offers a rich blend of theoretical insights and interactive scenarios. Join me for a day of learning, collaboration, and fun that will allow you to take full control of your database operations with the combined power of PowerShell and dbatools.
Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Room 348
Introduction to Microsoft Fabric for the Data Professional
Bradley Ball
Microsoft - Sr. Cloud Solution Architect
Join us for a full day of exploration into Microsoft Fabric, the revolutionary Software as a Service (SaaS) product that’s changing the game in Business Intelligence and Modern Analytics. For the last 3 years, Microsoft has been building this groundbreaking technology, which offers the ability to ingest and link to existing data without duplication. With Azure Synapse Data Engineering, Data Factory, Data Science, Data Warehousing, Realtime Analytics, and Power BI all at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless. In this pre-conference event, we’ll guide you through a full build scenario, showing you how to link existing data, and utilize OneLake. Join us and discover the power of Microsoft Fabric!