Andy Leonard is CSO of Linchpin People and SQLPeople, an SSIS Trainer, Consultant, and developer; SQL Server database and data warehouse developer, community mentor, engineer, and farmer. He is a co-author of SQL Server 2012 Integration Services Design Patterns. His background includes web application architecture and development, VB, and ASP. Andy loves the SQL Server Community!

March 2012 - Posts

• OT: Thank You, Microsoft

  cross-posted from AndyLeonard.me … Each April 1st for the past five years, I have been honored to receive an email from Microsoft informing me I have been recognized as a SQL Server MVP. Tomorrow will be different. Back in January – when I wrote this Read More... Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 10:36 AM by andyleonard | 12 Comments Filed under: Microsoft, MVP, SQL Server Community, Values

• Trick Question

  Introduction This post is the fifty-fourth part of a ramble-rant about the software business. The current posts in this series can be found on the series landing page . This post is about you. Me? Yep, you. Two questions: What is your job title? (<—Not Read More... Posted Tuesday, March 27, 2012 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 23 Comments Filed under: Doing Software Right, EMPs (Expensive Management Practices), Software Business

• Managing Confidence

  Introduction This post is the fifty-third part of a ramble-rant about the software business. The current posts in this series can be found on the series landing page . This post is about inspiring others. Hot Chicks - Baby chickens beneath a warming lamp… Read More... Posted Thursday, March 22, 2012 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 1 Comments Filed under: EMPs (Expensive Management Practices), Software Business

• A Review of From Zero To SSIS Training

  I recently (5-9 Mar 2012) delivered my five-day SSIS training course – From Zero To SSIS! – in London. The class was delivered in collaboration with TechniTrain . I must commend Chris Webb ( blog | @Technitrain ) and Helen Lau on their leadership, professionalism, Read More... Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 2 Comments Filed under: From Zero to SSIS!, SSIS, Training

• SSIS 2012 Moving and Resizing

  Occasionally someone will email or post a comment about how all MVPs are Microsoft shills. I’m sure I enjoy those comments about as much as the Developer Teams at Microsoft. Let me start by saying that’s simply not true. In fact, it is completely off Read More... Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 5 Comments Filed under: SSIS, SSIS 2012

• Q: How Many Calls From Work While on Vacation is Too Many?

  A: One.   P.S. This post is the fifty-second part of a ramble-rant about the software business. The current posts in this series can be found on the series landing page . This post is about how to quickly and efficiently get the employees you need Read More... Posted Monday, March 12, 2012 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 3 Comments Filed under: EMPs (Expensive Management Practices), Software Business

• Have You Downloaded SQL Server 2012 Evaluation Edition? Why Not?!

  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 Read More... Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 3:00 PM by andyleonard | 8 Comments Filed under: Business Intelligence, ETL, SQL Server 2012, SSIS

• Updated SSIS Framework, Now Includes Reports

  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. :{> Read More... Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 5 Comments Filed under: Design Pattern, ETL, Presentations, SSIS, SSIS Frameworks

• Microsoft Announces SQL Server 2012 RTM!

  Earlier today, Microsoft announced SQL Server 2012 has been released to manufacturing! General availability of the cool, new database platform is scheduled for 1 April 2012. I’ve been working with pre-release versions of the software while writing SSIS Read More... Posted Tuesday, March 06, 2012 2:03 PM by andyleonard | 6 Comments Filed under: SQL Server 2012

• The Perfect Trap

  Warning: I am about to express an opinion. * Introducing disruptive database technology is the perfect trap for database administrators. < …freak out here… > < … done? Good. Let’s continue… > Way back in 2007 – when Adam first emailed me about Read More... Posted Monday, March 05, 2012 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 3 Comments Filed under: DBA, Disruptive, SQL Server 2012

• CozyRoc Releases SSIS+ 1.6 Beta 1 Library

  CozyRoc announces the release of the SSIS+ 1.6 Beta 1 Library . I installed this on my SQL Server 2012 RC virtual machine and have started testing. So far, I like it! :{> Read More... Posted Friday, March 02, 2012 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 1 Comments Filed under: Business Intelligence, Custom Tasks, SSIS