22-25 April 2026
SQLBits 2020

Life Hacks: dbatools edition

dbatools is an open source PowerShell module. This session will walk through several life hacks that you can take back to work and quickly implement to make your life easier and impress your friends.

dbatools is an open source PowerShell module with over 500 commands to assist you with managing your SQL Server estate. This session will walk through several life hacks that you can take back to work and quickly implement to make your life easier and impress your friends.

This session’s life hacks will include, among others:

  • Automate testing of your SQL Server backups
  • Mask sensitive data in your non production environments
  • Easily migrate databases, logins, etc. between servers
  • Test your environment for best practices
  • Export/back up server configurations

Speakers

Jess Pomfret

jesspomfret.com

Jess Pomfret's previous sessions

Managing replication with dbatools
One of the most highly requested dbatools features was for commands to manage replication and now they're here. In this session, we'll run through the available commands and how they can be used to build up and tear down replication.
 
Anyone can be an alphabet soup ally
Folks that belong to the queer community are often referred to as LGBTQ+, Jess and Linda represent a small portion of the letters within this alphabet soup and they will guide you through some common situations where you can be a good ally. There is no one right answer, but there are ways for you to prepare for certain situations so you know what your best move might be to provide support and allyship. This session will provide tips for people who are new to being an ally and for existing allies who want to add skills to their toolbelt.
 
I'm here, I'm queer ( Why Representation Matters)
In this 20 minute session we’ll talk about why it matters that ‘I’m here and I’m Queer’. Representation, both at conferences and in the media, is so important not just for us now, but also for the future generations. If you want to know why all this DEI stuff matters, why we need to keep striving to diversify the attendees and speakers at our conferences and events, then this session is for you.
 
SQL Server 2022 migrations with dbatools
Using dbatools we'll migrate our databases to a shiny new SQL Server 2022 instance.
 
Keynote by The Community
Ben and Rob have found some wonderful folk to actually do the important parts of the community keynote. on the theme of How to be a nonpassive member of the data community
 
Introduction to PowerShell
Everything you need to get started with PowerShell.
 
Migrate databases easily with dbatools
Quickly and easily migrate databases and associated logins using dbatools.
 
Life Hacks: dbatools edition
dbatools is an open source PowerShell module. This session will walk through several life hacks that you can take back to work and quickly implement to make your life easier and impress your friends.
 
Install & Configure SQL Server with PowerShell DSC
Using PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) we'll install and configure a SQL Server instance in under 5 mins.