TechDays 2011 SQL Server and Data Platform Track Resources

A few days ago I posted the resources for the TechDays 2011 Communications and Collaboration track.  This post is intended to provide those who attended session in the Data Platform track to be able to continue their learning with the resources listed for each of the sessions delivered at TechDays 2011 in Toronto, as well as overall resources for the track. 

As was evident from the content, a large focus of the Data Platform track at TechDays 2011 was business intelligence, as well as SQL Server 2012 (formerly SQL Server code-named “Denali”).  Sessions also dealt with topics such as some of the T-SQL coding options in SQL Server 2008R2 and SQL Server 2012, as well as techniques to migrate to SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2012.  Hopefully you left each session understanding all the concepts and knowing exactly what you needed to do in order to take advantage of the great features of SQL Server  in your organization.

Below you’ll find all of the resources mentioned in each of the sessions so that you can continue your learning  today (rather than having to wait until the sessions are available on TechDays Online in early December):

Highlighted in all sessions:

• TechNet Evaluation Center  - This is the place where you can download current and upcoming versions of SQL Server 2008R2, SQL Server code-named “Denali” CTP3, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, and related technologies.
• SQL Server TechCenter on TechNet – Great location for the DBA to find out about current and almost current releases of SQL Server and how to best manage them in your organization.
• SQL Server Developer Center or MSDN – The place for developers to learn how to code in T-SQL as well as how to integrate SQL Server into their .NET or other applications.
• SQL Server code-named “Denali” Resource Center – This is the place to learn all about the upcoming SQL Server 2012 as well as the place to download the current CTP3 to try it out in your test environment.
• Microsoft Business Intelligence Home Page – The place to find out more about Microsoft’s BI offerings and how to take advantage of them.
• Microsoft SQL Server Team Blog – The place to get the inside scoop from the team that develops the product.
• Microsoft Business Intelligence Team Blog – The home of the latest info from the Microsoft BI team.
• SharePoint TechCenter on TechNet – If you are a SharePoint administrator, this is the best place to get information on implementing and managing your SharePoint environment.
• SharePoint Developer Center on MSDN – For those of you who develop SharePoint-based applications, this is the place to learn best practices and tips and tricks.

Resources for individual sessions

DAT274 - A Lap around Microsoft Business Intelligence - Part 1

• Microsoft PerformancePoint team blog
• Planning for PerformancePoint Security

DAT275 - A Lap around Microsoft Business Intelligence - Part 2

• Project Crescent Documentation on TechNet
• Excel Services in SharePoint 2010 on MSDN
• Analysis Services Vision & Roadmap Update including a discussion on the BI Semantic Model (BISM)

DAT279 - New Business Intelligence Functionality in  Microsoft SQL Server 2012

• Microsoft’s BI Channel on YouTube 
• Analysis Services and PowerPivot Team Blog
• Howard Morgenstern’s Blog

DAT302 - Introducing the Next Generation High Availability Solution:  Microsoft SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn

• SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn Resource Center 

DAT304 - What's New in Manageability for Microsoft SQL Server 2012

• Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Website 
• SQL Server code-named “Denali” Resource Center

DAT318 - The T-SQL Cookbook: What's Cool in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 and New in SQL Server 2012

• SQL Server 2012 Books Online
• SQL Server Programming Tips & Tricks blog with an article on TSQL changes in SQL Server 2012

DAT319 - Upgrading to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2012: A Comprehensive Look

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Upgrade site
• SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Technical Reference
• SQL Server Community: blogs, Channel 9, newsgroups, videos, and webcasts
• Deprecated Features Objects
• SQL Server Upgrade Advisor
• Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
• Best Practices Analyzer for SQL Server 2005
• Best Practices Analyzer for SQL Server 2008 R2
• Upgrading Mirrored Databases
• Rolling Cluster Upgrade Step-by-Step
• SQL Server Upgrade Assistant from Scalability Experts

Looking ahead to TechDays Vancouver

Stay tuned to next week’s post where I’ll go over what is in store for you in the Data Platform  track  at TechDays Vancouver! If you haven’t yet registered for TechDays Vancouver (or Montreal, for that matter), there’s still time to register.

Register today >>

Make sure to check out the TechDays LinkedIn group. TechDays Facebook page, and/or the TechDays Twitter feed to join the conversations and get the latest updates.