Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 - EBook Download

The full version of "Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012" by "Ross Mistry” and “Stacia Misner” is now available for free download,

Download Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 

"Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012" includes 10 chapters:

PART I - DATABASE ADMINISTRATION (by Ross Mistry)
1. SQL Server 2012 Editions and Engine Enhancements
2. High-Availability and Disaster-Recovery Enhancements
3. Performance and Scalability
4. Security Enhancements
5. Programmability and Beyond-Relational Enhancements

PART II - BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPMENT(by Stacia Misner)
6. Integration Services
7. Data Quality Services
8. Master Data Services
9. Analysis Services and PowerPivot
10.Reporting Services

 

Download Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012

SQL Server 2012 RTM samples databases/samples

Today Microsoft published the samples databases and samples projects for SQL Server 2012 RTM. You can find the downloads and descriptions on the following pages:

CodePlex:

Adventure Works for SQL Server 2012

TechNet Wiki:

SQL Server Samples Readme

Download Center:

Power View and PowerPivot HelloWorldPicnic Samples for SQL Server 2012  

Image Files for HelloWorldPicnic Sample Model in PowerPivot and Power View

Adventure Works For SQL 2012

The AdventureWorks2012 OLTP database name was updated in February for SQL Server 2012 RC0, based on customer feedback from its original RC0 release in December 2011. Basically, the database, filename, and logical files were renamed from AdventureWorks2008R2 to AdventureWorks2012, as indicated on the CodePlex page.

For the RTM release, AdventureWorks2012 will be published along with the RTM versions of AdventureWorksDW2012 and other sample projects by EOD Monday, 3/12.

AdventureWorks2012 will have two versions: AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf for case-insensitive collation and AdventureWorks2012_CS_Data.mdf for case-sensitive. You will also be able to download a DDL script and .csv files to install the database from script. The dates in the database have remained circa 2008 dates.

ColumnStore Index - SQL 2012 New features

Summary:

The SQL Server 11.0 release (code named “Denali”) introduces a new data warehouse query acceleration feature based on a new type of index called the columnstore. This new index, combined with enhanced query processing features, improves data warehouse query performance by hundreds to thousands of times in some cases, and can routinely give a tenfold speedup for a broad range of decision support queries. This can allow end users to get more business value from their data through fast, interactive exploration. IT workers can reduce development costs and ETL times since columnstore indexes limit or eliminate the need to rely on pre-built aggregates, including user-defined summary tables, and indexed (materialized) views. Furthermore, columnstore indexes can greatly improve ROLAP performance, making ROLAP more attractive.

Download "Column Store Index" white paper

Note: above content is copied from the White paper discussed in this post

5 Tips for a Smooth SSIS Upgrade to SQL Server 2012 - White Paper

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Integration Services (SSIS) provides significant improvements in both the developer and administration experience. This article provides tips that can help to make the upgrade to Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Integration Services successful. The tips address editing package configurations and specifically connection strings, converting configurations to parameters, converting packages to the project deployment model, updating Execute Package tasks to use project references and parameterizing the PackageName property.

• TIP #1: Edit Package Configuration and Data Source after upgrading
• TIP #2: Convert to project deployment model using Project Conversion Wizard
• TIP #3: Update Execute Package Task to use project reference and use parameter to pass data from parent package to child package
• TIP #4: Parameterize PackageName property of Execute Package Task to dynamically configure which child package to run at execution time
• TIP #5: Convert package configuration to parameter when possible

Download Whitepaper: 5 Tips for a Smooth SSIS Upgrade to SQL Server 2012

Reference:- MSDN Documentation

SQL Server 2012 RC0 Available for Download

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Release Candidate (RC0) is now available for Download.

There are many highlights and stunning BI features available in SQL Server 2012.
If you evaluated the previous release SQL Server 2012 Community Technology Preview 3 (CTP3), then you might aware that “PowerPivot” now supports the features like,

• Hierarchies
• Multiple relationships between tables
• A measure grid to easily create, edits, and manages measures
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• New DAX functions (Time series, distinct count to name a few)
• Importing of binary large objects (BLOB)
• Etc.,

All the above listed features and more… in Analysis Services Database

• Row-level security
• Partitions and Direct Query mode
• Direct access to source system
• Etc.,

Other improvements:

• Upgraded SharePoint Components
• Separated setup and configuration strategy
• Project "Crescent" (now called Power View)
• And more…

Here are the highlights and product overview for SQL Server 2012 Release Candidate from Microsoft:

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 RC0 enables a cloud-ready information platform that will help organizations unlock breakthrough insights across the organization as well as quickly build solutions and extend data across on-premises and public cloud backed by capabilities for mission critical confidence.

SQL Server 2012 RC0 enables a cloud-ready information platform that will help organizations unlock breakthrough insights across the organization as well as quickly build solutions and extend data across on-premises and public cloud backed by capabilities for mission critical confidence:

• Deliver required uptime and data protection with AlwaysOn
• Gain breakthrough & predictable performance with ColumnStore Index
• Help enable security and compliance with new User-defined Roles and Default Schema for Groups
• Enable rapid data discovery for deeper insights across the organization with ColumnStore Index
• Ensure more credible, consistent data with SSIS improvements, a Master Data Services add-in for Excel, and new Data Quality Services
• Optimize IT and developer productivity across server and cloud with Data-tier Application Component (DAC) parity with SQL Azure and SQL Server Data Tools for a unified dev experience across database, BI, and cloud functions

Download (Registration Recommended)
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/registration-suggested.aspx?id=28145
 

Note: Registration takes only a few moments and allows Microsoft to provide you with the latest resources relevant to your interests, including service packs, security notices, and training.

Other References:

• Here is the link to the official SQL Server Team blog, on details of the release, http://blogs.technet.com/b/dataplatforminsider/archive/2011/11/17/sql-server-2012-release-candidate-is-now-available.aspx 
• You can learn about SQL Server 2012 and the latest editions that are coming.  The big news is that Microsoft is releasing a NEW Business Intelligence Edition.  Read More on SQL 2012 Editions here http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/future-editions/sql2012-editions.aspx

Reporting Services Project “Crescent”

Microsoft makes self-service reporting a reality by providing a highly interactive, web-based data exploration, visualization, and presentation experience to users of all levels from business executives to information workers. Now anyone can create a report in just seconds, transform the  shape of data with a single click, add powerful timed animation sequences to quickly identify trends or anomalies, and make a more convincing case through rich presentation of discovered insights.

Project “Crescent” is new features introduced in Denali Community Technology Preview 3 (CTP 3).  "Crescent" is an interactive data exploration and visual presentation experience targeted at Information Workers who need access to their business data but don‘t have the technical knowledge to write their own queries or specialized knowledge around reporting. Built on top of the BI Semantic Model, which provides a user friendly view of the data, Project "Crescent" gives the user a powerful yet simple to use experience for telling stories with their data.

You can find a Project Crescent Overview on Technet.

You can download the release at SQL Server Code Name "Denali" CTP3. This includes ‘Crescent’ Self-Service BI Capabilities.