EVENTS

5/18/2012
SSWUG Free Expo: Working with SharePoint
(Show Details)  

       

Date: Friday, May 18, 2012
Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pacific




This expo will bring you information you need on getting up to speed administering your SharePoint systems and making the most of the capabilities of SharePoint in your organization. Expert Josh Jones will help you get started and go from 0 to 60 in knowing much more about installation, central administration and much more.

Understanding the key features of SharePoint, then how they apply to your organization can be the key difference between a successful, managed deployment and a very challenging installation.

Our expert presenters will be on-hand to answer questions and the virtual environment helps assure you can see and understand the presentations to get the most out of them, from the demonstrations to the discussion of topics and techniques.

This expo will cover tips, tricks, discussion boards and much more. Register today and learn these areas and more.

Session Descriptions

Throughout the free online expo, you will learn:

  • How to administer SharePoint from the beginning.
  • How to configure SharePoint's Anonymous Access feature, including some great tips and tricks.
  • The ability to understand SharePoint Blogs, Wikis and Discussion Boards.
  • How to optimizing SharePoint as a platform


 

Expo Structure and Costs

With registration to our free expo, you will also receive a complimentary month of full membership to SSWUG.ORG, where you can learn even more about the IT field through in-depth articles, podcasts, how-to videos and more.

All the content will also be available for seven calendar days OnDemand after May 18, 2012, allowing you to revisit key portions of information at a convenience.

For thorough examination of the topics in the comfort of your home and office, the DVD Bundle is priced at an additional $49.00. The Expo DVD is an additional $29.00, however, the ability to interact through an event chatroom is included with the Expo registration only and is not available for those who solely purchase the DVD.

5/22/2012
Online Class: Advanced SQL Server Analysis Services
(Show Details)  

       
There was an issue Loading the playback.


10 On-Demand Sessions Available From May 22nd, 2012 To June 20th, 2012


Course Overview

In a partnership agreement with Pragmatic Works, SSWUG.ORG’s virtual class will provide you with the skills to properly use SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) 2008 in your enterprise.

Master Analysis Services Developers must hold unique traits to set themselves and their work apart from others.  This class is designed to take you to the next level in your understanding of SQL Server 2008 R2 Analysis Services (SSAS).  We use a variety of lab exercises and exclusive internals lectures to ensure lecture are backed up by hands on experience and real world knowledge.  With the hands-on labs, you will learn how to build tier 1 Analysis Services solutions that will scale, while understanding all the internals to help you back up these best practices you will be implementing.  This class will focus on the architecture, design, scaling and internals that make Analysis Services the powerful analytics platform of choice.
 

Target Audiences and Prerequisites

The target of this class is at developers, architects or IT professionals who have above average Analysis Services skills already and a basic understanding of MDX and cube building. This class assumes that you have a strong understanding of SSAS fundamentals. For example, you should already know and use the majority of the functions in basic cube development before attending this class.  It is not mandatory but ideally you should have an instance of Analysis Services to follow some sections of the class. 
 

Session Descriptions

Throughout the 30-day course, you will learn:

  • Analysis Services Architecture
  • Analysis Services Design Best Practices & Optimization
  • Formula and Storage Engine Query Processing
  • Managing and Scaling Analysis Services



Course Structure and Costs
 

Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the classes, as well as a link that will remain active for the 30 day on-demand period.

The course cost is $169 for full SSWUG.ORG members and $199 for non-members. The cost of the DVD with purchase of the course is an additional $199. The DVD costs $399 if you do not purchase a course seat. Course downloads, office hours and the ability to email questions to the instructor are included with course purchase only.

Once you have completed the course, you will have the opportunity to take a course quiz and receive a course certificate. After passing the quiz, please allow up to five business days after the course is finalized to receive your certificate (PDF via e-mail).

 
5/22/2012
Online Class: Introduction to SQL Server Analysis Services
(Show Details)  

       

12 On-Demand Sessions Open on May 22nd, 2012 and Closes After June 20th, 2012


Course Overview

In a partnership agreement with Pragmatic Works, SSWUG.ORG’s virtual class will provide you with the skills to properly use SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) 2008 in your enterprise.

Brian Knight, course instructor and SQL Server MVP, will take you from the ground-up, teaching you the fundamental skills you need to develop and deploy SSAS solutions and present this new data to your end users. This class is presented in SQL Server 2008, but is appropriate for those using SQL 2005 as well.

 

Target Audiences and Prerequisites

The target audiences for this class are developers, architects or IT professionals who have basic SQL skills already. This class assumes that you have no previous knowledge of OLAP or Analysis Services. Technical knowledge of basic database design concepts is assumed. It is required that you already know how to navigate around SQL Server 2005/2008 and how to query a SQL Server.



Session Descriptions

Throughout the 30-day course, you will learn how to:

  • Develop a data warehouse and a repeatable methodology for a successful SSAS project
  • Create and configure a cube and dimensions
  • Write MDX (the querying language for cubes)
  • Define calculations, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and perspectives
  • Implement dynamic security
  • Administer and deploy SSAS
  • Build office-based BI applications and dashboards



Course Structure and Cost

Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the classes, as well as a link that will remain active for the 30 day on-demand period.

The course cost is $169 for full SSWUG.ORG members and $199 for non-members. The cost of the DVD with purchase of the course is an additional $199. The DVD costs $399 if you do not purchase a course seat. Course downloads, office hours and the ability to email questions to the instructor are included with course purchase only.

Once you have completed the course, you will have the opportunity to take a course quiz and receive a course certificate. After passing the quiz, please allow up to five business days after the course is finalized to receive your certificate (Download link via e-mail).

 
 
5/23/2012
Free Webcast: PowerPivot for Excel and SharePoint 2010
(Show Details)  

       

Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 11:00 AM Pacific


Webcast Overview
 

In this session, you will learn more about PowerPivot - a data analysis add-in that delivers computational power directly within MS Excel 2010. By combining native Excel 2010 functionality with PowerPivot in-memory engine, I will interactively explore and perform calculations on very large data sets.

This session gives the user the freedom to learn the many uses of PowerPivot from importing, modeling, analyzing and pivoting millions of records to publishing to SharePoint. I will show how IT staff can track and monitor user generated PowerPivot workbooks in SharePoint and explore PowerPivot Management Dashboard.

Webcast Structure and Cost

Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the webcast, as well as a link that will remain active for the seven-day, on-demand period.

The webcast is completely free. The cost of the DVD Bundle is an additional $49.00. The webcast DVD is an additional $29.00, however, the ability to interact through an event chatroom is included with the webcast registration only and is not available for those who solely purchase the DVD.

To save on future virtual content from SSWUG.ORG, you can become an annual member for $79.00. Memberships can be purchased on the webcast registration page.

6/1/2012
Online Course: Leadership Skills for the IT Professional
(Show Details)  

       
There was an issue Loading the playback.

14 On-Demand Sessions Available from June 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012

In a partnership agreement with Kevin Kline, SSWUG.ORG’s virtual class will provide you with the skills you need to be an effective leader.

Hitting the Career IT Ceiling

There comes a point in the career of most IT Professionals that advancement means taking on at least some degree of leadership in their organization. The only problem is that most IT pros built their career and earned all of their accolades on a set of technology skills that aren’t transferrable into leading people and managing resources.


What IT Pros Need to Be Effective Leaders

Most IT leaders earned their promotions on the basis of their technical competency, not their leadership skills. Technical leaders rarely step into leadership in possession of the complex mix of skills that engenders their success and the success of their teams. And while the results of this career transition aren’t always a disaster, we’re often left feeling that we could be doing a much better job.

This online training course imparts years of hard won wisdom and the industry’s best research about how to successfully manage and lead a team of IT professionals, from all areas of information technology. Successful IT leaders require a combination of:

  • Cultivating the respect and trust of your team;
  • Behavioral knowledge to understand technology professionals; and
  • A variety of specific skills to competently lead IT professionals in the broad categories of:
    • coaching
    • facilitating change
    • promoting communication
    • growing a culture of effectiveness
    • leading teams

 

Develop Critical IT Leadership Skills in a Class Written by IT Leaders for IT Leaders

I have to be honest, my custom-written training coursework won’t train IT pros in every aspect of every leadership category. (Heck, an MBA takes at least two years of intense study and even that doesn’t guarantee a strong leader). However, my coursework will equip you with a strong foundation to confidently take on your leadership duties, handle the most common leadership issues, and avoid the most frequent and costly leadership mistakes. This coursework will enable you to further develop your leadership potential and achieve excellent results, both for yourself and for your team.

By taking this course, you will:

  • Learn about motivating IT professionals and how to cultivate an atmosphere for effectiveness.
  • Develop skills to envision, plan, and execute your goals at an interpersonal and organization level.
  • Review more than a dozen specific scenarios that frequently foil the new leader of IT teams and the best way to handle them, such as:
    • Exposing and correcting performance problems
    • Managing remote employees
    • Gaining support of the organizational executives
    • Delegation
    • Conducting impactful meetings
    • Facilitating effective and productive teamwork


Course Structure and Cost


Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the classes, as well as a link that will remain active for the 30 day on-demand period.

The course cost is $169 for full SSWUG.ORG members and $199 for non-members. The cost of the DVD with purchase of the course is an additional $199. The DVD costs $399 if you do not purchase a course seat. Course downloads, office hours and the ability to email questions to the instructor are included with course purchase only.

 

6/5/2012
Online Course: Storage and Virtualization for the Database Administrator
(Show Details)  

       

11 On-Demand Sessions Start on June 5, 2012 and End After July 5, 2012


Course Overview

SSWUG.ORG's virtual class will provide database administrators (DBAs) with the skills to properly design storage and virtualization solutions.

Denny Cherry, course instructor and SQL Server MVP, will explain why storage can be one of the largest bottlenecks when it comes to database performance.

He will also explain why it can be one of the hardest places to troubleshoot performance issues because storage engineers and database administrators often do not get along. Finally, he will dig into LUNs, HBAs, the fabric, as well as the storage itself.

In the second half of the course, Denny will review the pros and cons of moving SQL Servers into a virtual environment. He will also explain how to tie virtual platforms to the storage array, so that DBAs can maximize the storage performance for their SQL Servers and the virtual environment.

Session Descriptions

Throughout the 30-day course, you will learn how to:

  •     Understand the capabilities of the storage solutions in your organization
  •     Bridge the communications gap between storage administrators and database administrators
  •     Use the advanced features that are present within storage arrays
  •     Reduce costs and storage requirement

     

Course Structure and Cost

Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the classes, as well as a link that will remain active for the 30 day on-demand period.

The course cost is $169 for full SSWUG.ORG members and $199 for non-members. The cost of the DVD with purchase of the course is an additional $199. The DVD costs $399 if you do not purchase a course seat. Course downloads, office hours and the ability to email questions to the instructor are included with course purchase only.

Once you have completed the course, you will have the opportunity to take a course quiz and receive a course certificate. After passing the quiz, please allow up to five business days after the course is finalized to receive your certificate (download link via e-mail).

6/6/2012
Free Webcast: Defying Taboos: Performance Increase using the Content Database in SharePoint 2010
(Show Details)  

       

Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 11:00 AM Pacific


Webcast Overview
 

SharePoint 2010 in conjunction with InfoPath 2010 and Reporting Services 2008 have reshaped the way organizations gather and present their data to clients, team members and executives. As Forms and reports get more complex and performance presents an issue, direct access to the content database is required; however this has been a taboo subject until now. In this session attendees will learn how to deploy Complex InfoPath Forms and Reports in a sustainable manner; what the real consequences of using the content database are and when you should not use it. This session is targeted to InfoPath and Business Intelligence Developers who need to upgrade their skill level to deliver solutions with maximum performance and enhanced client satisfaction.

Webcast Structure and Cost

Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the webcast, as well as a link that will remain active for the seven-day, on-demand period.

The webcast is completely free. The cost of the DVD Bundle is an additional $49.00. The webcast DVD is an additional $29.00, however, the ability to interact through an event chatroom is included with the webcast registration only and is not available for those who solely purchase the DVD.

To save on future virtual content from SSWUG.ORG, you can become an annual member for $79.00. Memberships can be purchased on the webcast registration page.

6/12/2012
Online Course: Introduction to SQL Server Query Processing and Optimization
(Show Details)  

       

10 On-Demand Sessions Start on June 12, 2012 and Ends July 11, 2012


Course Overview

In SSWUG.ORG’s virtual class, conducted by Microsoft SQL Server MVP Kalen Delaney, you will be able to explore needed information about query plans, basic index structures and plan cache management.

As Kalen is a foremost authority on SQL Server query processing and optimization, this comprehensive class offering will bring you key information to apply to any work with SQL Server.

Session Descriptions

Query Plans and Processing
Kalen will explain how to use the information provided in the query plan and become ready to start the query tuning process.

  • Learn the difference between estimated and actual plans, and when each is appropriate
  • Determine the difference between index seeks and scan operation actions
  • Understand when and why SQL Server performs index seeks or scan operations
  • Discover ways to get more details than the graphical plan provides
  • See different types of JOIN and aggregation algorithms
  • Comprehend different processes concerning data modification operations
  • Know certain guidelines for running the best performing modifications


Indexes
Kalen will provide an in-depth look at how to use specific tools for exploring basic index structures, as well as index design considerations and best practice guidelines.

  • Learn about key design considerations
  • Understand which types of indexes and their placements will best support certain queries
  • Determine the value of unique indexes and included columns
  • Discover composite indexes
  • See how to determine the best indexes for queries involving ANDs, ORs and JOINs
  • Know best practice guidelines involving index structures


Query Plan Caching and Recompiling
Kalen will describe how to use specific tools for exploring the plans in cache and detecting when they are reused, as well as query design considerations to provide the optimal caching behavior and best practice guidelines.

  • Learn about different types of compiled plans that can be cached and reused
  • Understand the options for controlling what plans get cached
  • Determine when plan reuse can occur and when it is beneficial
  • Discover the negative impact of parameter sniffing and seeing how it can be prevented
  • Review metadata for exploring the plan cache's contents
  • Know the resource cost of cached plans

 

Course Structure and Cost

Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the classes, as well as a link that will remain active for the 30 day on-demand period.

The course cost is $169 for full SSWUG.ORG members and $199 for non-members. The cost of the DVD with purchase of the course is an additional $199. The DVD costs $399 if you do not purchase a course seat. Course downloads, office hours and the ability to email questions to the instructor are included with course purchase only.

Once you have completed the course, you will have the opportunity to take a course quiz and receive a course certificate. After passing the quiz, please allow up to five business days after the course is finalized to receive your certificate (Download link via e-mail).

6/15/2012
SSWUG Free EXPO: Working with Reporting Services
(Show Details)  

       

Date: Friday, June 15, 2012
Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pacific




This free expo will focus on the information you need to work with SQL Server Reporting Services. While reporting and analysis of data is key to the success of many systems, it can be complex and difficult to get the information you need, formatted the way you want it, from your systems. This expo will help! Find out how to use SQL Server Reporting Services, different options you have for integration with Analysis Services and Excel and much more.

Providing the reporting to your users that they expect is a fundamental responsibility for working with information - this Expo will get you on your way to assuring your success and providing information that your key users can apply and use.

Check out the sessions button above for more information about the sessions included in this expo.

Session Descriptions

Throughout the free online expo, you will:

  • Have an introduction to SSRS
  • Learn how to model SSRS
  • Learn Reporting Services and Excel reports with Analysis Services cubes
  • Learn how to use Report Builder 3.0


 

Expo Structure and Costs

With registration to our free expo, you will also receive a complimentary month of full membership to SSWUG.ORG, where you can learn even more about the IT field through in-depth articles, podcasts, how-to videos and more.

All the content will also be able for seven calendar days after June 15, 2012, allowing you to revisit key portions of information at a convenience.

For thorough examination of the topics in the comfort of your home and office, the DVD Bundle is priced at an additional $49.00. The Expo DVD is an additional $29.00, however, the ability to interact through an event chatroom is included with the Expo registration only and is not available for those who solely purchase the DVD.

6/19/2012
Online Course: SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Made Simple
(Show Details)  

       
.

11 On-Demand Sessions Start on June 19, 2012 and Ends July 18, 2012


Course Overview

In a partnership agreement with Pragmatic Works, SSWUG.ORG’s virtual class is designed to help you understand all aspects of SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services (SSRS), the reporting tool of choice for SQL Server developers.

Sherri McDonald, course instructor and support manager for Pragmatic Works, will use a variety of lab exercises and small projects to ensure familiarity in how the design and execution environments work and to help build real-world applications using this SQL Server subsystem. By the end of the course, you will have a firm understanding of all the key concepts of Reporting Services, including basic reporting, parameters, deploying and scheduling.

The target audience of this class is developers, architects or IT professionals who have basic SQL skills already, such as being able to run a query inside of SQL Server 2008. This class assumes that you have no previous knowledge of SSRS. In some of the coding modules, it is useful to have some basic Visual Basic experience.

Session Descriptions

Throughout the 30-day course, you will learn how to:

  • Develop reports with graphical representation of your data
  • Make your reports dynamic
  • Understand the concepts of dashboard design for your reports
  • Report off your Cubes, deploy and manage your reports and set-up subscriptions

     

Course Structure and Cost

Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the classes, as well as a link that will remain active for the 30 day on-demand period.

The course cost is $169 for full SSWUG.ORG members and $199 for non-members. The cost of the DVD with purchase of the course is an additional $199. The DVD costs $399 if you do not purchase a course seat. Course downloads, office hours and the ability to email questions to the instructor are included with course purchase only.
 
Pragmatic Works is also offering a live, four-day version of the SQL Server Reporting Services class for $795. For more information about this option, visit Pragmatic Works’ site.

Once you have completed the course, you will have the opportunity to take a course quiz and receive a course certificate. After passing the quiz, please allow up to five business days after the course is finalized to receive your certificate (.PDF via e-mail).

6/19/2012
Online Course: Advanced SQL Server Reporting Services
(Show Details)  

       
There was an issue Loading the playback.


15 On-Demand Sessions Available From June 19, 2012 To July 18, 2012


Course Overview

In a partnership agreement with Pragmatic Works, SSWUG.ORG’s virtual class will provide you with the skills to properly use SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).

Master Report Developers must hold unique traits to set themselves and their work apart from others.  This class is designed to take you to the next level in your understanding of SQL Server 2008 R2 Reporting Services (SSRS).  We use a variety of lab exercises to ensure lecture sessions are backed up by hands on experience.  With the hands-on labs, you will learn how to create complex reports that using Analysis Services as a data source and custom code assemblies.  This course will cover all the advanced topics of Reporting Services like scaled-out deployment, .Net integration and monitoring Reporting Services usage.
 

Target Audiences and Prerequisites

The target of this class is at developers, architects or IT professionals who have above average T-SQL skills already and a basic understanding of MDX and VB. This class assumes that you have a strong understanding of SSRS fundamentals. For example, you should already know and use the majority of the toolbox items before attending this class.  It is not mandatory but ideally you should have an instance of SharePoint to follow some sections of the class.



Course Structure and Cost

Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the classes, as well as a link that will remain active for the 30 day on-demand period.

The course cost is $169 for full SSWUG.ORG members and $199 for non-members. The cost of the DVD with purchase of the course is an additional $199. The DVD costs $399 if you do not purchase a course seat. Course downloads, office hours and the ability to email questions to the instructor are included with course purchase only.

Once you have completed the course, you will have the opportunity to take a course quiz and receive a course certificate. After passing the quiz, please allow up to five business days after the course is finalized to receive your certificate (Download link via e-mail).

 
 
6/27/2012
Free Webcast: Delivering Self-Serve BI with PowerPivot
(Show Details)  

       

Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 11:00 AM Pacific


Webcast Overview
 

If you are always looking for better ways to deliver value to the business as part of a BI project, it’s important to review the capabilities of PowerPivot. Using existing data and tools, users now have the ability to analyze vast quantities of data without first designing dimensions and measure groups. Users can explore the data and optionally share their analysis with others. See how PowerPivot opens the power of Analysis Services to non-technical users, while still allowing the IT organization to administer and secure the data.

Webcast Structure and Cost

Upon registration and payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to test your system in order to view the webcast, as well as a link that will remain active for the seven-day, on-demand period.

The webcast is completely free. The cost of the DVD Bundle is an additional $49.00. The webcast DVD is an additional $29.00, however, the ability to interact through an event chatroom is included with the webcast registration only and is not available for those who solely purchase the DVD.

To save on future virtual content from SSWUG.ORG, you can become an annual member for $79.00. Memberships can be purchased on the webcast registration page.

Your Information Technology Answers are Here on SSWUG.ORG

SSWUG.ORG is the one of the largest community-driven sites that focuses on enterprise technology, as more than 570,000 members regularly visit our site for answers to their questions on data management, collaboration software, development tools and cloud computing.

Our staff works to issue relevant and in-depth articles, podcasts, webcasts, expos and classes to members and non-members alike.