SetFocus has partnered with Conversion Services International to combine the power of CSI’s leading-edge expertise in information management with SetFocus’ world-class training in Microsoft Business Intelligence and Microsoft Performance Point Server™.

CSI Partner Page:  http://www.setfocus.com/partners/csi.aspx

CSI is a leading provider of professional services focusing on strategic consulting, data warehousing, business intelligence, and business process reengineering, as well as integration and information technology management solutions.
Press Release:  http://www.setfocus.com/pressrelease/csi_partnership.aspx

As part of this partnership launch, SetFocus will be offering the opportunity to secure reduced one-on-one consultative services with CSI: http://www.setfocus.com/partners/seminars/CSI_InfoMngmtAdvisory.aspx

SetFocus will also be hosting two specialty seminars developed and delivered by CSI’s Senior Vice President of Information Management, William McKnight:

“Introduction to Master Data Management for the Enterprise” http://www.setfocus.com/partners/seminars/masterdatamanagement_enterprise.aspx

“Introduction to Data Warehousing” http://www.setfocus.com/partners/seminars/introdatawarehousing.aspx

Both one day seminars will be held this March.  For registration details and pricing, please see the links listed about.
And don’t forget – all SetFocus Alumni receive an exclusive 20% discount off all SetFocus services!

SQLDiva

PASS hosts several SIGs (Special Interest Groups) in the area of Database Administration, Business Intelligence, Application Development and Women in Technology.

The PASS Database Adminstration SIG is offering a live meeting event featuring TJay Belt. TJay will give a talk about SQL Server Logical Query Processing

Abstract: The first noticeable aspect of SQL that is different from other programming languages is the order in which the code is processed. In most programming languages, the code is processed in the order in which it is written. In SQL, the first clause that is processed is the FROM clause, while the SELECT clause, which appears first, is processed almost last. The presentation will be a brief description of the different logical steps applied in both SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005. You’ll also see a demonstration of SQL code written by Itzik Ben-Gan from his book Inside Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 T-SQL Querying.

TJay Belt is a Database Administrator for the Accounts Payable division of Affiliated Computer Services.  He has studied computer science at BYU and developed in and administered databases his entire career.  TJay has used SQL Server versions 7, 2000 and 2005 since 1998, and has been a DBA for 5 1/2 + years.  TJay has enjoyed delivering presentations for Microsoft, Affiliated Computer Services, and local SQL Server User groups.  He is the founder and PASS chapter leader of the Utah County SQL Server user group.  TJay truly enjoys working with and administering database, and his real passion lies in creating solutions.

To attend the meeting, you will need:

·         An Internet connection for the presentation
·         A telephone connection for the audio

The URL for the meeting is: https://www.livemeeting.com/rm/microsoft/join

The Meeting ID is SIGS
The Meeting Key is SGISSIGS

The Location is https://www112.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft

Audio Conferencing (Toll-free): +1 (866) 500-6738
Participant Code: 4048733

When attending the meeting, please observe the following common courtesies:

1. If you are using a speaker phone, please mute it unless you are asking a question. That way, other participants will not be disturbed by the noise in your environment.

2.  If you need to leave the meeting temporarily, please hang up and call us back, unless your phone is silent when on hold. Your hold music and/or message is disturbing to other participants.

FIRST TIME USERS:

To save time before the meeting, check your system to make sure it is compatible with Microsoft Office Live Meeting: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52354

If you have any questions, please contact sharond@voicenet.com

Interested in presenting on your favorite topic for a Live Meeting Event? Presentations are an hour to an hour and a quarter long. You use your own computer. You can present PowerPoint slides and do demos. If you’re interested, contact sharond@voicenet.com

SQLDiva

The current “buzz” about SQL Server is the upcoming release of SQL Server 2008 and all the new features that will help to revolutionize the way data is used.  This is awesome and it’s great that Microsoft is sticking with their promise to release new versions of the product every 2-3 years.  But, I feel it’s just as important for Microsoft to focus on the quality of the current version that is being used on production systems today.

Vote Here for SQL Server 2005 SP3:

http://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=326575  

Verbage from connect.microsoft.com: 

Since Service Pack 2 was relelased, numerous bugs have been fixed. They are available in cumulative update packages (6 to date). However, Microsoft recommends customers not to install these cumulative updates unless affected by one of the fixed bugs. That creates a dilemma for SQL Server administrators. You do not want to install a package if Microsoft recommends against it, but you also want to take pro-active action so that you can squash the bug BEFORE it affects you.

See Comments on this topic from other folks like you: 

http://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/Validation.aspx?FeedbackID=326575

 SQLDiva

SQL Server 2008 Training

SQL Server 2008 is an evolutionary step forward in database technologies.  Join Hilary Cotter as he introduces you to the exciting new features and works with you in “Hands On” Labs.

Date:

Saturday, April 5^th

Location:

NJ Microsoft Office

194 Wood Avenue South (Prudential Building), Sixth Floor
Iselin, NJ 08830

Required Registration Link: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032373607&Culture=en-US

Agenda:

8:30am-9am:  Registration / Install SQL Server 2008 CTP 6 / Donuts & Cofee (Contributor: Microsoft)

9am-10am:     Introduction, Setup & Upgrade
10am-11am:   Management Enhancements
11am-12pm:   SQL Enhancements
12pm-1pm:     Pizza/Soda/Water (Contributor: Red-Gate)

1pm-2pm:       Scalability and Performance Enhancements
2pm-3pm:       Client Programming Enhancements
3pm-3:30pm:  Wrap-up, Evaluation Form Submission & Raffle

Prerequisite:

PCs/Laptops will not be provided.  If you wish to participate in the “Hands On” Lab portion of this training, please bring a laptop with SQL Server 2008 CTP 6 (February, 2008) installed.

Please see the link below for System Requirements and downloading CTP 6.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=749BD760-F404-4D45-9AC0-D7F1B3ED1053&displaylang=en

Abstract:

This day long event covers the following new features and enhancements in SQL Server 2008:

Setup & Upgrade: Migrate to SQL 2005 or SQL 2008 (Should I stay or should I go now?)
Management Enhancements: Backup Compression, Data Compression, Encryption
SQL Enhancements: Merge SQL Statement and the new Date\Time Data Types
Scalability and Performance Enhancements:  Resource Governor, Full Text Search (FTS)

Client Programming Enhancements:  Spatial Data Types, LINQ, Sync Services, and so much more!!

Bio:
Hilary Cotter is a SQL Server MVP with over 20 years IT experience working for Fortune 500 clients. He is the author of a book on SQL Server Replication and has written numerous white papers and articles on SQL Server and databases.

For additional information regarding this event, please refer to the NJ SQL Server User Group website (www.njsql.org).

Event Overview: This is a unique event designed for developers, architects, technical and business decision makers in the healthcare industry. Please join us to discover how Microsoft, its partners, and customers make possible the delivery of Software + Services in Health & Life Sciences.

Conference: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032360756&Culture=en-US

Agenda and Tracks: http://blogs.msdn.com/hlsdpe/pages/HLSDevCon2008Tracks.aspx (adding a few more!)

NOTE: Discounted Hotel Rooms are available until 4/8.

SQLDiva

SQL Server 2005 Developer must have a strong demonstrable experience in creating detail designs for relational databases to achieve high performance and to be able to develop through development lifecycle.

Study Requirements and High Level designs specs and produce detailed designs

Define Database layer logic and interfaces and document them

Define Physical Data Models

Contribute to database layer coding efforts

Ensure that quality and performance standards are met

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM THIS ROLE:
5+ years of database design and development

Solid knowledge of SQL Server 2000 and familiarity with new features of SQL 2005

Excellent Data modeling skills (Erwin or other modeling tools)

Experience in developing large multi-tier, database applications

Expert in strategies and approaches for physical database design, performance optimization/tuning

Interact with peer teams effectively

Good communication and team skills

Good experience SDLC and/or other development methodologies

BSCS or MS Degree or concentration in a technical field

If you are interested in this position, contact Thomas Glatz with Job Code NJSQL.

Thomas W. Glatz
Global Employment Solutions
IT Consulting Division
Business Development Manager
One Presidential Blvd, Suite 310
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610-822-1251
http://www.gesnetwork.com

SQLDiva

Redmond Magazine April, 2008(Cover Story): The New Face of User Groups

Long term contract opportunity.At least 2-3 years as programmer, a minimum of 1-4 years in
analytical role.  Must has Strong SQL experience. vb.net a plus.

Requirements:
* Analysis, design, coding, and testing of components of large systems.
* Develop detailed specifications from which code will be written.
* Develops project plans
* Excellent Communication skills

If you are interested in this position, please contact Maggie with job code NJSQL.

Maggie DaRonco
Senior IT Staffing Specialist
Vega consulting Solutions
Phone: 973-335-7800
Email: mdaronco@vegaconsulting.com

The Deadline for the 2008 PASS Community Summit Call to Speakers has been extended until Midnight ET on Monday April 7th. Join other industry professionals and help build the SQL Server community as a 2008 PASS Community Summit speaker in Seattle, Washington, November 18-21.

Act now and submit an abstract by the April 7th Deadline.

All speakers receive:
Complimentary registration to the 2008 PASS Community Summit
Industry recognition
Networking opportunities with thousands of attendees
Microsoft employees are encouraged to submit presentations using the online submission website.  Please note that any Microsoft submissions will be reviewed and abstract status will be determined by Microsoft.

For more information, please visit the PASS Call To Speakerswebsite at http://calltospeakers.sqlpass.org/ or e-mail any questions to calltospeakers@sqlpass.org

SQLDiva

I attended the NYC Microsoft Heroes Happen Here Launch event on 3/4/08.  My role in attending this event was to represent PASS and the local user groups at the Community User Group Table.  As the day went on, it became more apparent to me that folks are having a difficult time finding the websites of the local user groups.  Peter Laudati (NY/NJ/CT Developer Evalgelist) does a great job of blogging about the monthly events scheduled for the local user groups (http://blogs.msdn.com/peterlau/), but selfishly I wanted to capture just the user group websites for me (and of course for you…).

Enjoy!!!

SQLDiva

New Jersey

• NJ MS Developers Group
• Northern NJ User Group (N3UG)
• Central NJ .NET User Group
• NJ SQL Server User Group

New York

• NY Enterprise Windows User Group
• NYPC Visual Basic SIG
• Long Island .NET User Group
• NYC SharePoint User Group
• NYC Connected Systems Group
• NYC .NET Developers User Group
• NY Metro SQL Server User Group
• IASA NYC

Connecticut

• Fairfield/Westchester .NET User Group
• Fairfield/Westchester SQL User Group
• Southern CT .NET UG
• Connecticut.NET

Pennsylvania

• Pittsburgh .NET User Group
• Philadelphia SQL Server User Group
• Lehigh Valley .NET User Group
• Central Penn.NET
• Philly .NET
• .NET Valley (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area)
• Philadelphia Area SharePoint User Group
• Philly Office Geeks
• Philly Alt.NET

Delaware

• Delaware .NET Users Group
• Northern Delaware .NET User Group