Welcome
SQL Server 2012 is now generally available! Download the latest version of SQL Server 2012 here.
For a deep dive on all things SQL Server 2012, check out the SQL Server 2012 Virtual Launch Event. The event features 30+ webcasts from SQL Server 2012 experts in addition to a number of other multimedia features from Microsoft partners. All content from this event will be available until 30 June, 2012. We particularly recommend the following:
For BI Partners:
1. Presentation (Video): Rapid Data Exploration: Empowering End User Insight Through Rapid Data Exploration and Visualization with Power View
2. Presentation (Video): Rapid Data Exploration: Powerful Self-Service Analysis with PowerPivot
3. Presentation (Video): Managed Self-Service BI: End User Created, IT Managed
4. Lab: Exploring Power View
For Data Platform Partners:
5. Presentation: Required 9s and Data Protection: Introduction to SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn, New High Availability Solution
6. Demo: Getting required 9’s with SQL Server AlwaysOn
7. V-Lab: SQL Server AlwaysOn Availability Groups
8. Presentation: Required 9s and Data Protection: Protect Data with Higher Chance of Recovery - Includes Recovery Advisor
9. Presentation: Organizational Compliance: Using the New Security Features and Audit Enhancements to Increase Compliance Policies
10. V-Lab: SQL Server 2012 Security & Compliance
What’s New
The updated Product Guide contains the latest datasheets, white papers, click-through and auto-running demonstrations, hands-on lab previews, technical presentations, and other useful links to help evaluate the SQL Server 2012 release, organized for easier viewing.
New for Service Providers: This session below focuses on key new features of interest to service providers, how these compare with previous versions, as well as the SKU plan.
Attention Service Provider Sales Teams: Positioning SQL Server 2012 with your Customers
Learning Paths
Updated Learning Paths – role-based to help you find training suitable for your needs. The SI path has been updated with Microsoft Learning’s instructor-led courses and exams.
SQL Server 2012 (Product) System Integrators ISVs LARs VARs Distributors Hosters
Here is a list of on-demand training available now in the Partner Learning Centre (PLC):
Sales & Licensing (On Demand)
Test your knowledge of the SQL Server 2012 SKUs and licensing. Think you know it? Be sure you are giving customers the right information by review the training materials and then testing yourself. You will find the training courses and corresponding assessments below:
Volume Licensing Assessment: Getting Started with SQL Server 2012
Volume Licensing Assessment: SQL Server 2012 Product and Licensing Overview
Volume Licensing Assessment: SQL Server 2012 Pricing and SKU Overview
Volume Licensing Assessment: SQL Server 2012 New Migration Rights
Additional licensing training below: For Distributors: SQL Server 2012 Licensing Overview for Distributors ISVs: SQL Server 2012 ISVR Licensing SPLA partners: SQL Server 2012 Overview for Service Providers and SPLA All other partners: SQL Server 2012 Licensing Overview for Partners
There are Partner Academy Live sessions for BDMs and Sales professionals now available on-demand in the Partner Learning Centre, with two sessions that focus on opportunity: SQL Server 2012 Value Proposition for SIs SQL Server 2012 Value Proposition for ISVs And four in the APU (Application Platform University) series:
APU - What’s new in SQL Server 2012 for Partners APU - Run, Grow and Transform with Microsoft Application Platform APU - Partner Opportunities with Platform Modernization and Private Cloud APU - Partner Opportunities with Microsoft BI (including DW and appliances)
For partners selling into SMB, we have:
SQL Server 2012 in the SMB Market: Key Opportunities to Stimulate Sales Growth
Sales (Partner Academy Live Sessions now On Demand)
Available on demand:
Exploring the Private Cloud Partner Opportunity with SQL Server (SQL205PAL) Make more money with SQL Server – the economics and best practices of building a SQL Server Practice
Tech 100-200 (On Demand)
We have three mini-course (saved searches):
SQL Server 2012: Technical Overview for BI Consultants SQL Server 2012: Technical Overview for Database Administrators SQL Server 2012: Technical Overview for Application Developers
that include the following titles:
For BI Consultants:
Technical Overview of New Features: SQL Server Code Name Denali SQL Server: Data Discovery and Managed Self-Service BI SQL Server Code Name Denali: Credible, Consistent Data SQL Server Code Name Denali: Complete Data Warehousing Solution
For Database Administrators & Developers:
Technical Overview of New Features: SQL Server Code Name Denali SQL Server Code Name Denali: Required 9s and Data Protection SQL Server Code Name Denali: Blazing Fast Performance SQL Server Code Name Denali: Organizational Compliance SQL Server Code Name Denali: Scale on Demand
For Application Developers:
Technical Overview of New Features: SQL Server Code Name Denali SQL Server Code Name Denali: Optimized Developer ProductivitySQL
Server Code Name Denali: Extend Data Virtually Anywhere
Technical On Demand, MVA, Hands-on-labs Online
There are SQL courses for IT Pros in the Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA). This is depth technical training, with courses having multiple modules:
1. Breakthrough Insights using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 : Analysis Services and Credible, Consistent data
2. Breakthrough Insights using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 : Reporting Services and Visualization
3. Breakthrough Insights using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 : Scalable Data Warehouse and Beyond Relational
4. Cloud on your terms with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 : Scale On Demand
5. Mission Critical Confidence using Microsoft SQL Server 2012
The Virtual Hands-on-Labs listed below are in the Partner Learning Center and there are more v-labs available here.
Microsoft SQL Server 2012: Exploring Project Power View – level 200 Microsoft SQL Server 2012: What's New in Datawarehousing and EIM – level 300 Microsoft SQL Server 2012: What’s New in Manageability – level 300 Microsoft SQL Server 2012: Contained Databases – level 300 Microsoft SQL Server 2012: AlwaysOn Availability Groups – level 400
Developers
SQL Server 2012 Developer Training Kit contains labs, demos, and presentations to help developers learn to develop database and BI solutions using SQL Server 2012.
Technical Certification
Microsoft Learning (MSL) has updated exam information for SQL Server 2012. Those exams and preparatory courses with links have additional information on MSL’s public site. Find information about the SQL Server 2012 certifications here.
Exam
Name
Course
70-457 Upgrade
Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to SQL Server 2012: Part 1
70-458 Upgrade
Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to SQL Server 2012: Part 2
70-459 Upgrade
Transition your MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 or MCITP: Database Developer 2008 to Data Platform on SQL Server 2012
70-460 Upgrade
Transition your MCITP: Business Intelligence 2008 to Business Intelligence on SQL Server 2012
70-461 Core
Querying Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012
10774 5 days
70-462 Core
Administering Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Databases
10775 5 days
70-463 Core
Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012
10777 5 days
70-464 DP
Developing Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Databases
10776 5 days
70-465 DP
Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft® SQL Server® SQL Server 2012
70-466 BI
Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012
10778 5 days
70-467 BI
Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012