Modern Architecture 101 for New Engineers & Forgetful Architects

Proposed session for SQLBits 2026

TL; DR

We’ll dive into areas like scalability, security, integration, and maintainability, giving you practical insights whether you’re new to the field or just need a refresher.

Session Details

I've been a Microsoft field engineer for fourteen years—learn from my experience and mistakes. Today’s landscape of architectural choices for enterprise solutions is vast, with real problems to solve and real issues that come with those solutions. Big enterprises or small, problems are problems. There are plenty of tools and frameworks, but what really sets enterprise solutions apart from one-off applications are the fundamental patterns. In this session, we’ll break down a typical enterprise architecture piece by piece, focusing on the decisions engineers and architects make when tackling common problems and requirements. We’ll dive into areas like scalability, security, integration, and maintainability, giving you practical insights whether you’re new to the field or just need a refresher.

3 things you'll get out of this session

Discuss the fundamental responsibilities of a software architect. Understand the core architectural patterns that distinguish enterprise systems from one-off apps. Learn how real-world constraints shape decisions around scale, security, integration, and maintenance. Apply hard-earned lessons from the field to avoid common mistakes and design more resilient systems.

Jerry Nixon's other proposed sessions for 2026

Introducing the SQL MCP Server - 2026

The AI Hiding in your Data - 2026

Jerry Nixon's previous sessions

Workflows of Highly Functional App & Data Engineering Teams

Explore best practices in enterprise data engineering, focusing on Schema Management, Standards Enforcement, Database Testing, & Automated Deployment. Navigate Microsoft's complex options to achieve change management, observability, & quality at scale. Goals: Master schema control, ensure engineering quality, & streamline delivery through automation.

A Deep Dive into DevOps Practices with Azure SQL

Explore the intricacies of DevOps practices tailored for Azure SQL in this demo-heavy session, highlighting both the inner and outer development loops. Embark on a journey through the essential principles of Database version control, Immutable Database Infrastructure, Schema Management, Testing, and Seamless CI/CD. Bid farewell to the notorious "But it worked on my computer!" dilemma by embracing robust DevOps practices, fostering trust and efficiency across your development cycles—from local environments to the expansive cloud. Navigate the array of Azure SQL tools for DevOps practices with potent command-line tools, and uncover seamless integration with industry-leading third-party tools such as GitHub Actions, Codespaces, Terraform, and extensions for popular IDEs like VS Code and Azure Data Studio.

A Deep Dive into Microsoft Fabric Data Warehouse

Deep Dive into Data Warehousing in Microsoft Fabric. Explore the intricacies of Microsoft Fabric Data Warehouse, unraveling its capabilities and demonstrating effective strategies for its utilization.