My top features of SQL Server 2025 for Business Intelligence

Some time ago, Microsoft announced the release of a new version of SQL Server. This made me happy, mainly because in the storm of everything Fabric, Copilot, and cloud, sturdy technology still has a place, and Microsoft hasn't forgotten that. Companies still rely on on-premises systems that require databases. And running everything on-premises is still … Continue reading My top features of SQL Server 2025 for Business Intelligence

How to set the Copilot default execution mode in SSMS 21

This is going to be a short blog post, as it serves to highlight a new setting found in SSMS 21.4.12. Tell me more! Well, if you go to the Tools menu in SSMS and click on Options, you will see, unsurprisingly, the options. Locate your Copilot option and click on the Azure OpenAI settings. … Continue reading How to set the Copilot default execution mode in SSMS 21

DP-700 training: Implement mirroring

If you come from an SQL Server background, mirroring will be familiar to you. It may be good or bad, but hopefully not at a nightmare level. Whatever your association with database mirroring, it is also available within Microsoft Fabric. What is mirroring If you're not coming from a SQL Server background, or any data … Continue reading DP-700 training: Implement mirroring

Setting Up Copilot in SSMS 21: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that's a title! Especially for a very cool new feature: Copilot embedded in SSMS. I've blogged about Copilot for SQL before, but this really is the next step! I'm very excited about this new feature, and I tried to install it on my machine. Because Microsoft can share all the steps they think you … Continue reading Setting Up Copilot in SSMS 21: A Step-by-Step Guide

Is Microsoft SSMS Copilot the Future of Database Management?

Today, May 19th, 2025, is the keynote day of Microsoft Build, where Microsoft announces its big new tech innovations. You won't be surprised; there's a lot of Copilot in the announcements. You can't get around it if you have any toolset in the cloud; there will be AI waiting for you to help you. Bad … Continue reading Is Microsoft SSMS Copilot the Future of Database Management?

Speaking experiences at Seaql Saturday

Picture of a sunset over sea

April 12th marked the first edition of Seaql Saturday in the Netherlands, the inaugural event situated in the southern part of the country. The event focused on SQL Server only; as advertised, it was a Fabric-free event. This blog post will discuss my experiences and why you should attend the next edition. Before the event … Continue reading Speaking experiences at Seaql Saturday

Loadtesting SQL, the sequel

Some time ago, I wrote a number of blogposts comparing the different Azure SQL options to give you some idea about performance, differences between tiers and differences between the Stock Keeping Units (SKU's). This was done by creating data in the database itself and review the metrics. This works fine and gave a good overview … Continue reading Loadtesting SQL, the sequel

SQL Server Management Studio 21: First Impressions & Features

It's been a long time coming, but all of a sudden there were a number of posts from Microsoft announcing the first preview of SQL Server Management Studio 21. This is big as it's quite the overhaul from the SQL Server Management Studio we're used to. To give you some idea, here are my first … Continue reading SQL Server Management Studio 21: First Impressions & Features

Fixing Azure SQL Client Connection Timeouts

This blog won't be very long and will describe a connection issue I experienced with a customer including the solution and some context why this solution worked. I hope this saves you time when dealing with the same error. Issue The customer can connect to the Azure Sql database with Sql Server Management Studio (SSMS) … Continue reading Fixing Azure SQL Client Connection Timeouts

Sql Server and Copilot. What the query it this? Part 3, query editor

Welcome back to this mini series on Azure Sql Server with Copilot. In the previous posts I wrote about a general introduction of this toolset (click here for more) and had some fun in the Azure Portal getting stuff done (click here for more). In this third part, I'm going in for the data and … Continue reading Sql Server and Copilot. What the query it this? Part 3, query editor