16Jul 2020 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

Do More, With Less

Redgate Software
Next week, July 22 and 23, I'll be presenting at Redgate Summit. Summt is our smaller, focused sessions. This one is about the concept of how DevOps, or, more accurately, a DevOps mindset, can enable you to do more with less. The idea that someone will automate themselves out of a job is something I've always found humorous. I say this because, when I first started figuring out how to automate database deployments, I was only actively supporting 1-2 teams of developers. When I finally had a mostly automated deployment methodology, I was supporting 5-7 teams. In short, I didn't have less work because of the automation, I had more. The trick is, you need to engender a mindset that does two fundamental things. First, focus on automation. If you're…
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22Jun 2020 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

State of Database Monitoring

Redgate Software
Redgate published a report that many of you helped with by providing information. First, thanks! Your info really helped. Second, do you want to see it? You can. Go here and get a copy. However, want to talk about it? Anthony Nocentino and I are hosting a little chat this week on Wednesday at 4-5 BST, 10-11 Central. You can click on this to get registered. Please do. It's going to be great information and, since it'll be live, you can ask questions. It will be recorded and you can watch it later. However, where's the fun in that? Join in. Be there live.
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27Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

Figuring Out How To Hide Production Data

Redgate Software
There's a really simple conundrum that we go through all the time. The best data for development is productionYou can't have production data for development You have to split the difference here in a pretty fine way. Get the developers the best tools possible while protecting the production information. It's not easy, but I think I can help. Chris Unwin Of my many amazing co-workers, I sometimes think I'm the most jealous of Chris Unwin. It's not because he's smart and capable, most of them are. It's because he's young, filled with ideas, AND smart and capable. He'll be running things long after we're all gone. If you haven't heard Chris speak, I'd recommend you start with DBAle, the beer flavored podcast that he runs covering all things data. However,…
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26Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

Time To Learn Git

Redgate Software
I love this quote from Kevin Hill (and not because he mentions me): 3 things I can no longer justify ignoring: #dbatools Git and #Docker for my dev SQL work@cl@sqldbawithbeard@Kendra_Little and @unclebiguns@GFritchey, I blame you 🤪😂 There’s more but those are top 3— SQL Cyclist (@Kevin3NF) November 9, 2019 The reason being, he's right. I'm spending time rewriting some of my own sample code to use DBATools. I'll try to post some of it here when I get it together. I've been screaming about the importance of containers in general and Docker in particular for quite a while now. Finally, I use Git. So should you. However, getting started with Git, especially in a database, isn't that easy. Kendra Little You might notice Kendra's name in the tweet above. She's one of the smarter, more capable people…
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25Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

DB Automation with Azure DevOps

Redgate Software
I sincerely believe the key to your future as a DBA is your ability to automate everything you do. However, the single hardest thing that you have to do is keep up with the changing business and IT environment, which means, deployments. Lots of deployments. How are you going to get that done? Cathrine Wilhelmsen I have to admit, publicly, when I first met Cathrine, I was not the nicest person. I just couldn't believe that this person who sounded like they were from Ohio was actually Norwegian. I asked for her drivers license. Thankfully, Cathrine forgave me my rudeness and I'm very grateful for that. The reason I'm grateful is, she's seriously on top of her game when it comes to automation. At the upcoming Redgate Streamed event, April…
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24Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

Being an Efficient DBA

Redgate Software
Or database developer, report writer, whatever. SQL Server, SQL Server Management Studio, and all the tools provide a bunch of ways to get things done. However, some ways are more efficient than others. Wouldn't it be nice to have all the cool little tips and tricks that can make you more efficient while working with SQL Server? I can help. Please, go check out the agenda for Redgate Streamed, taking place April 1-3. Andy Mallon OK. I can't help, but I know who can, Andy Mallon. I saw this presentation a while back and I was blown away. First up, there is stuff in there to learn for just about everyone. Cool tips that are really useful and will make you more efficient when working with SQL Server. Next, Andy…
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20Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

Containers and DevOps

Redgate Software
Over the last couple of years, one of these single most exciting technologies to come out around the Data Platform has been containers. You may not see them change your production setup. However, I guarantee, you're very likely to see them radically change your development process. After all, in a matter of moments, you can have an instance of SQL Server to start development and testing against. Rob Richardson I'm blessed by being surrounded by smart people. One of them that I've been able to interact with a bunch of times is Rob Richardson. I saw him present a session on containers about three years ago. I have to say, at the time, all I could say was: Neat! It took me another year, with several more presentations from other…
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24Feb 2020 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

Redgate Software Needs You!

Redgate Software
I've been very blessed to be able to work for Redgate Software. We've done some amazing stuff over the years. We're going to be doing even more amazing stuff coming up. However, we need help. Specifically, we need help with sales. We've got a great team, but we need a bigger, great team. There are openings for sales development representatives and there's going to be a try-out in March, but you only have a couple of days to apply. Go here, right now. Deadline for this is the 26th of February, 2020. When you fill out the application, please, use my name "Grant Fritchey", to show where you heard about it and who referenced you. There are a whole slew of other openings in sales as well. Please, take a…
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02Sep 2019 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

20 Years of Redgate Software

Redgate Software
Yeah, Redgate is only one year younger than my children. What's really frightening is that I've been using Redgate's products since my kids were a year old. I was a VERY junior DBA twenty years ago having just made the move from full time development. I'll tell you though. I think I had Redgate's SQL Compare open on my desktop non-stop from the moment it was available. I know I personally ensured that four different organizations purchased at least one license. Now here we are, twenty years later. My kids are grown, but I'm still gleefully using Redgate Software. Yeah, I know, now I work for them, but that's just a bonus as far as I'm concerned. I've been praising and promoting Redgate for twenty years and I hope I…
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25Jun 2019 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

From Evangelist to Advocate

Redgate Software
It's time for a little bit of change to occur. I am no longer a Product Evangelist for Redgate Software. No, they haven't fired me and I haven't quit. We're changing the role, just a little. I am now a Product Advocate for Redgate Software. Why Advocate? It's simple enough. If you look up the definitions for evangelist and advocate, it's pretty clear that my job has always been more of the advocate role than the evangelist. After all, I'm not trying to convert you to use Redgate. Instead, I want to recommend and support the position that Redgate offers you a superior product. The core role that I fill, teaching, writing, recording videos, testing and training, using Redgate tools in support of your data and data estate will be…
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