In his article Healthcare's Big Problem With Little Data, author Dan Munro raises salient points about the state of health-related data. Electronic Health Records (EHR) were promoted as the end-all-be-all solution for the industry – a standardization that, I suppose, many thought would organically and naturally occur, stabilize, and be ...

I am installing SQL Server 2012 Evaluation Edition on a virtual machine as I type. You can do this. Here’s one way: Grab some virtual machine software. I like Oracle VirtualBox. It’s cool. It’s free. Install VirtualBox. Download the 180-day free trial of Windows Server 2008 R2. Also cool. Also free. Once Windows ...

I have built a beta version of Linchpin People’s SSIS Framework, now including much-requested reports. You can grab the updated copy here. I appreciate any feedback you care to share. :{>

If you haven’t yet, check out the Stairways – a series of tutorial articles at SQL Server Central. They. rock. I was really excited when Steve Jones (Blog | @way0utwest | SQLPeople) contacted me to write the Stairway series of tutorials for SSIS! The third article is live this morning. Altogether, the published articles are: What is SSIS? ...

In preparation for SQL Saturday #84 – Kalamazoo,  SQLBits 9, and the PASS Summit 2011; I’ve been honing my presentation called Designing an SSIS Framework. I delivered this presentation a few times over the past couple months. Each time, I promised the attendees I’d send them the code if they emailed me… and a couple things got in the ...

Introduction I am honored to present Designing an SSIS Framework and “I See a Control Flow. Now What?” at SQL Saturday #84 in Kalamazoo Michigan 17 Sep 2011! I See a Control Flow. Now What? This highly-interactive, demo-intense presentation is for beginners and developers just getting started with SSIS. Attend and learn how to build SSIS ...

Introduction This isn’t a trick. It’s not a gimmick. It’s not bait-and-switch. It is selfish; please allow me to explain: I Am Here To Help™ This has been my motto for the past few years. How can I serve you today? Are you thinking about starting a User Group and don’t know where to begin? I can help. Are you planning an event and encountering ...

I am honored to present Designing an SSIS Framework to Hampton Roads SQL Server and SharePoint Users Group tomorrow, 20 Jul 2011! You can register here. Details: Infotec 100 Constitution Dr Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM (ET) If you read this blog and will be there, introduce yourself! I’m the fat ...

Introduction I'm honored to deliver two presentations to the Regina Technology Community 26 Apr 2011! Part I - Database Design for DevelopersThis interactive session is for software developers tasked with database development. Attend and learn about patterns and anti-patterns of database development, one method for building re-executable ...

  Introduction Jes Borland (Blog | @grrl_geek) is hosting this month's T-SQL Tuesday - started by SQLBlog's own Adam Machanic (Blog | @AdamMachanic) - and it is about aggregation. I thought I'd show a couple ways to do aggregation using SSIS. The Aggregate Transformation in SSIS The Aggregate transform in SSIS is fast. I ...