Max degree of parallelism is an advanced configuration option in SQL Server about which many question have been asked and much written. In this blog entry I hope to offer some insight and certainty as to what this option does and how it should be used...

You’ve been really proud of your nice new multi processor box, its got eight processors and some serious grunt. Everyone has been really pleased with the system’s lightening responsiveness and the big boss thinks you’re a super computer guru – looks like...

I’ve been asked many times if Microsoft provide a tool for converting legacy Crystal Reports to SQL Server Reporting Services. The answer is no. However I do know someone who does. Hitachi Consulting has an RDL generator that will generate RDL from...

Seen this? You’ve got a nice new sparkling multi processor box, packed with ‘go-faster’ chips but the performance isn’t much better than your old one or two processor box. You take a look at the processor usage, either through task manager or Performance...

At first glance, particularly if you’re a jaundiced techie like me, you may think the Balanced Scorecard is a concept wholly worthy of its acronym, BS. You might find a description of its function couched in those seemingly worthless terms like vision...

Well I’ve been blogging for a 11 weeks or so and looking at my stats I can see the posts that attract the most attention are those that either advertise a freebie or offer a performance tip. So, blatantly pandering to my ratings, here’s another freebie...

When performing batch jobs where you wish to run processes in parallel it is important to understand how the scheduler works. You can get a description of what the scheduler does by looking under the title ‘ SQL Server Task Scheduling’ in Books...

Just incase you missed this freebie: Report Packs SQL Server 2000 Report Pack for Microsoft CRM Download this set of six predefined CRM-based reports and a sample database that let you easily visualize and author managed reports to support key sales...

Following the trend I've created my first Blogcast - Creating a simple SQL Server Reporting Services report using the Report Wizard. It lasts about 6 minutes. It takes you through the simple steps required to create a simple report, making a little tweak...

Friday, February 04, 2005 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific Time Bryan Von Axelson , TechNet Presenter, Microsoft Corporation In this session we show how to review SQL Server logs, SQL Server events in Event Viewer, and create a Database Maintenance plan that...

Its a question that comes up more and more as people realise they can take advantage of SQL Server's lower TCO. "Does Microsoft have any tools for converting PSQL to TSQL". No, but the link below will take you to a company that has tools to do this and...

Actually, I reckon it must be Sun’s first Windows - SQL Server benchmark ever, unless you know otherwise? It’s great to see Sun embracing the new Opeteron chip from AMD and coming up with a great 32 bit SAP SD 2 tier 2 proc benchmark http://www50.sap...

Our 64 bit SQL Server case studies can be found @ http://www.microsoft.com/sql/64bit/productinfo/casestudies.asp The 64 bit SQL Server home page is @ http://www.microsoft.com/sql/64bit/default.asp Some material around 64 bit SAP/SQL @ http://www.microsoft...

A good number of people have told me just how useful this sample application is: Business intelligence portal sample application for Microsoft Office 2003 is an integrated, web-based OLAP solution that enables employees in an organization to create and...

SQL Server SP4 Beta is still Open. Customers can sign up here for the SP4 Beta Program http://www.microsoft.com/sql/evaluation/betanominations.asp . Upcoming Wechat on SQL Server SP4 on February 15, 2:00 – 3:00pm PST. Sign up here: http://www.microsoft...

Stephen Daborn asked this question on my High Availability blog entry and I didn't get back before the post closed - sorry Stephen - been doing a lot of snow boarding recently. Anyway its a good question and it deserves an answer. The best thing to do...

This tool has been long awaited, now its arrived SAP developers can combine the power of .NET with the functionality of SAP. This is great news if you're into developing SAP applications, along side SQL Server the PDK makes Microsoft a most compelling...

Do you want to use Microsoft Reporting Services to report data from SAP R/3 and SAP BW? Then check out Software4You from the list of Application Partners for Reporting Services @ http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reporting/partners/softwareapps.asp