22-25 April 2026 
SQLBits 2019
Select Stars: A SQL DBAs Introduction to Azure Cosmos DB
Are you curious about Azure Cosmos DB? This is the session for you! Join us to find out what it is, how it compares to other database platforms, and what all the hype is about!
Azure Cosmos DB has quickly become a buzzword in database circles over the past year, but what exactly is it, and why does it matter? This session will cover the basics of Azure Cosmos DB, how it works, and what it can do for your organization. You will learn how it differs from SQL Server and Azure SQL Database, what its strengths are, and how to leverage them. We will also discuss Azure Cosmos DB's partitioning, distribution, and consistency methods to gain an understanding of how they contribute to its unprecedented scalability. Finally we will demonstrate how to provision, connect to, and query Azure Cosmos DB. If you're wondering what Azure Cosmos DB is and why you should care, attend this session and learn why Azure Cosmos DB is an out-of-this-world tool you'll want in your data toolbox!
Speakers
Bob Pusateri's previous sessions
Relational or Non-Relational? Choosing the Best Database for the Task
Relational databases are excellent tools that can solve many data problems...but not all of them. The same can be said for non-relational databases. This session will showcase the strengths and weaknesses of both relational and non-relational databases with a particular focus on the best use cases for each. Attendees will see real-world examples of what they may - or may not - want to store in a particular database type, and why.
Maximizing Database Performance With Isolation Levels
How does a database handle multiple processes all trying to read and write at the same time? The answer is transaction isolation levels, and Azure SQL Database and SQL Server offer several to choose from depending on your workload's needs. Attend this session to understand how they work, why they matter, and how proper concurrency settings can result in great performance improvements!
Relational or Non-Relational? Choosing the Best Database for the Task
Relational databases are excellent tools that can solve many data problems...but not all of them. The same can be said for non-relational databases. This session will showcase the strengths and weaknesses of both relational and non-relational databases with a particular focus on the best use cases for each. Attendees will see real-world examples of what they may - or may not - want to store in a particular database type, and why.
Select Stars: A SQL DBAs Introduction to Azure Cosmos DB
Are you curious about Azure Cosmos DB? This is the session for you! Join us to find out what it is, how it compares to other database platforms, and what all the hype is about!
SQL Server Administration on Linux
Come learn how to set up a production-grade SQL Server on Linux environment!
VLDBs: Lessons Learned
Maintaining very large databases (VLDBs) can involve a lot more creativity and bending of the rules than their smaller brethren. Attend this session to learn tips and tricks amassed from years of managing them.