SQL Master Data Services at SALSSA

I attended a San Antonio League of SQL Server Administrators (SALSSA) meeting last night. The presentation was on SQL Server Master Data Services which are a feature of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, but kind of hidden.

The presenter, Garrett Edmondson, specializes in Business Intelligence using the Kimball Methodology and works for a small group doing R&D for Tribune in San Antonio.

It was clear from his presentation that there is one book on MDS and it’s a must read if you want to do a project with it.

Another key takeaway is that the Master Data Services Team Blog is very important. For example, Garrett recommended installing using the MSI included in Service Pack 1 Cumulative Update 2 released August 16th, 2011. The MDS Team blog has step by step instructions for installing that way or through the RTM bits, but Garrett recommends against using the RTM bits.

Other Meeting Notes

New Horizons New Space

The new extension for New Horizons San Antonio is very nice. It’s just past Vance Jackson on the 410 Access Road going west in a free standing building between Academy Sports and Sugars. Parking and entrance are much more convenient than the location off I-10 which is in a tall building with a garage. Also, I like that the space is newly built out with new chairs and desks. I wish the project was brighter and larger, though. It would make reading slides and code much easier.

SQL Saturday

SALSSA organizer Jim Steiner made sure to point out the upcoming SQL Saturday planned for October 1st in Austin. Jim said they will have some great quality speakers in their 25 free sessions. Lunch is $10. Organized by Wes Brown, @wesbrownsql on Twitter

Links

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