The next European PASS Conference will take place between the 14th – 16th of April 2008 in Neuss, Germany!

The NJ SQL Server Group is a member of “PASS”, the Professional Association for SQL Server & Business Intelligence which boasts having more than 25 thousand Database administrators, Business Intelligence Experts and Application Developers as members, from all over the world.

Apart from the numerous community meetings and technical workshops PASS provides to its members globally, they hold 2 major conferences every year, one in the United States, and one in Europe. This year, the European PASS Conference will be held in beautiful Neuss, Germany from Monday the 14th of April 2008 until Wednesday the 16th of April 2008 inclusive.

Almost perfectly timed with the lead up to the SQL Server 2008 launch, attendees will be able to choose from two focussed technical preconference workshops and over 24 technical sessions on SQL Server & Business Intelligence as well as discuss new and improved SQL Server-based technologies and services with exhibitors and sponsors at the European PASS Expo held during the conference.

For details of the sessions available, contact your Regional PASS Chapter Leader.

European PASS Conference 2008
April 14-16, 2008
Swissôtel
Neuss, Germany

Click here to Register – and join us in Germany!

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Job Description:
The candidate will be responsible for the operational support of NJM’s SQL Server Database environment. This advanced position plays an integral role in the maintenance and support of business critical applications.  Candidates should be team players with excellent communication skills and have the ability to manage a multitude of database assignments independently.

Responsibilities include:

* Database object review, creation, maintenance, and change control
* Monitor relational databases to optimize performance, resource use, and physical implementation

* Support Highly-available database technologies (clustering)
* Monitor and maintain database security in cooperation with data security administrators

* Migrating databases between servers and various platforms

* SQL Server Reporting services support and implementation
* Database back-up/recovery
* Fault analysis and resolution

* Implementation and maintenance of disaster recovery solutions including replication and Log Shipping
* Monitor and manage database backups, logs, and maintenance

* Support the Data Modeling unit with the design of new databases to meet application requirements
* Support design and implementation of ETL processes between disparate systems

* Assist the DB2 DBA team with DB2 administrative duties

* On-Call Support

Required Skills
* Strong expertise (4+ years) in SQL Server 2000 and 2005

* Proven troubleshooting abilities
* Specific SQL Server Administration experience including:

– Triggers
– Stored Procedure Code reviews and Development
– Data integration and Migration
– Management Studio
– SQL XML
– Database Auditing and controls

* Strong understanding of Security implementation

* Strong knowledge of Windows 2000, 2003 and XP 5+ years
* Strong knowledge of SQL and Stored Procedure Language
* Strong knowledge of relational database concepts
* Ability to translate Logical Data Models into physical structures
* SQL Server performance management and tuning
* Strong Project Management and communications skills
* Strong planning and analysis skills
* Ability to mentor/guide junior administrators
* Prior application development experience including architectural and design skills are strongly preferred.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

If you are interested in this position, contact NJM HR with Job Code NJSQL.

NJM Insurance Group

Email: careers@njm.com

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Calming the Information Storm

A seminar focused on optimizing trust and visibility into your data using Business Intelligence (BI), and maximizing the effectiveness through BI user adoption

You’ve automated your business processes and invested in CRM, ERP and other operational systems. Yet, you feel inundated by the storm of data coming in and out of your system. Isn’t it time to optimize your investments and convert your data into a strategic asset that all of your business and IT stakeholders will be able to leverage?

Attend our seminar to discover how you can use your data as your competitive edge and get everyone on board with the strategy. Learn how other organizations have successfully capitalized on Business Intelligence to achieve corporate goals and overcome 3 key informational challenges surrounding:

	1.		Data integrity and trust
	2.		Consolidation and automation of performance metrics
	3.		User adoption

Do you relate to any of the touch points above and wish to calm the manic data storm? Then this is a seminar you do not want to miss!

We look forward to seeing you.

 

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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 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.

As part of this partnership launch, SetFocus will be offering the opportunity to secure reduced one-on-one consultative services with CSI

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”

“Introduction to Data Warehousing”

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!

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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: 

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: 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

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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:

  

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

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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.

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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

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