How DBAs Can Build Exceptional Teams – Using the CMM

I had the pleasure of being a guest on the SQL Data Partners podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. In my case, I get this podcast straight from LinkedIn. It's a very informative and often fun podcast put on by three friends of mine from the Microsoft Data Platform MVP program: Carlos Chaco, Kevin Feasle, and Eugene Meidinger. These fellows are all geniuses in their own right. Follow them on social media and follow their blogs! (Click the image below to hear the podcast). Early in my career when I worked for the U.S. DoD, I had the good fortune to experience the development … [Read more...]

Four Major Trends that Defined 2023 in Data

At the close of January 2024, I wrote an article for Database Trends and Applications Magazine recapping four major trends that helped define the year in data for 2023: AI, Machine Learning, DevOps, and Data Governance. In no small way, 2023 was a year marked by innovation and change in the enterprise technology landscape. Companies of all sizes continue to accelerate their digital transformation efforts, to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning-powered solutions, including observability tools, to keep up with today's increasingly complex infrastructure environments. But to … [Read more...]

Observability: The Central Watchtower for Your All-Seeing IT Needs

As we were closing out 2023, I wrote the article Observability: The Central Watchtower for Your All-Seeing IT Needs for DevOps.com. I've enclosed the first few paragraphs below, but I'd love for you to read the entire article and provide your feedback and thoughts. Enjoy! -Kevin If there’s something you need to keep secure, it’s natural to want to keep it sealed away under lock and key. However, even keeping something in a vault, far from prying eyes and ill intent, may not be enough to offer peace of mind. After all, how can you have the peace of mind of knowing it’s safe if you don’t … [Read more...]

The Top Six Benefits of Database DevOps for Streamlined and Stronger Database Operations

DevOps is a very popular approach for running and managing development projects. But it shouldn't be restricted to only development projects. Databases have lots of code as well, from triggers to functions to stored procedures, and these too should be managed under the umbrella of DevOps. Back in July of 2023, I wrote about this idea in greater detail at DBTA.com. Click the link to read more. Here's a brief snippet of the article: Data is the cornerstone of the modern digital business. IT teams, database professionals, and business leaders use data to make informed decisions, … [Read more...]

The Ghosts of IT Past and Present Can Help Improve the Future

December 21, 2023 "I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."― Ebenezer Scrooge, in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has remained one of the most iconic and beloved stories of the holiday season. Part of the reason the story has stuck with us since its Victorian-era publication lies in the lessons it teaches us. At its heart, the story is about the need for kindness and charity, and most importantly, how we can use the lessons of our … [Read more...]

Surprising but True: the Basics are Still Difficult

SURPRISING BUT TRUE: THE BASICS ARE STILL DIFFICULT I always look forward to new research from Unisphere Research, a division of Information Today, Inc., publishers of this magazine and other great products for data professionals. The latest report which you should read is "SQL Server Transformation: Toward Agility & Resiliency 2017; PASS Database Management Survey." READ MORE... Originally Posted April 07, 2017 … [Read more...]

Tomorrow: Learn about SQL Server on Vmware

SQL Server Running on Vmware. A Common Scenario. I have the honor of presenting a webinar, tomorrow, on Thursday, October 12th, 2017 2:00 pm - 3 pm EDT, with Mr. Charles Kim. We'll be talking about SQL Server running on Vmware, with me taking the SQL Server part and Charles taking the Vmware part. Charles is the Founder of Viscosity North America and his accolades are many and manifold: Oracle ACE Director, Oracle Certified DBA, a Certified RAC Expert, Certified Exadata Implementation Specialist, VMware vExpert, and a VMware Certified Professional. Charles specializes in RAC, Exadata, … [Read more...]

Stronger Security Via Always Encrypted in SQL Server 2016

STRONGER SECURITY VIA ALWAYS ENCRYPTED IN SQL SERVER 2016 Prior to SQL Server 2016, currently in CTP, your main method for encrypting a SQL Server application was to use a feature called Transparent Data Encryption. TDE provides strong encryption, but with some shortcomings. First, you have to encrypt an entire database. No granularity is offered at a lower level, such as encrypting specific tables or certain data within a table. Second, TDE encrypts only data at rest, in files. Data in memory or in-flight between the application and server are unencrypted. Enter Always Encrypted. READ … [Read more...]

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Buy Cialis Online Tadalafil is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Tadacip works by helping to increase blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation. Generic Cialis helps you to achieve and maintain an erection. Tadacip from Cipla is used to treat erection problems in men. It is the only drug which works in 30 minutes, but is also know to be effective for as long as 24 hours. This enabling you to choose the moment that is just right for you as well as your partner. Thousands of men have benefited from Tadacip 20mg, moderate or severe Erectile Dysfunction. We sell … [Read more...]

My Best Blog Posts from 2015

ALWAYS LEARNING About mid-way into August of 2015, I learned some important new factors in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) that caused me to make some big changes to the way in which I blogged. Namely - simply reposting a slight variant of a given blog post could hurt your overall SEO rankings for any of the given posts. Now you might be saying to me "Kevin, those aren't new factors. They've been around for a long time, you idgit". And I would say in response "Ok then. But I had other things on my mind". (Of course, if you have other recommendations for improving one's blog performance, … [Read more...]