22-25 April 2026

Real World Modernization of Complex SQL Workloads with Azure SQL

Proposed session for SQLBits 2026

TL; DR

This session examines how strategic customers transformed their operations and tackled major modernizations using Azure SQL. We will provide an in-depth look at the technical strategies used to update various workloads, such as an insurance quote engine for a top global insurer and a leading banking platform, both migrated to Azure SQL. These systems handle millions of transactions per hour and support essential functions, which demand high levels of speed, resilience, and scalability. Each has benefited significantly from moving to Azure SQL. The session will outline the process of migrating these high-volume applications to the cloud to achieve improved performance, security, and innovation.

Session Details

This session examines how strategic customers transformed their operations and tackled major modernizations using Azure SQL. We will provide an in-depth look at the technical strategies used to update various workloads, such as an insurance quote engine for a top global insurer and a leading banking platform, both migrated to Azure SQL. These systems handle millions of transactions per hour and support essential functions, which demand high levels of speed, resilience, and scalability. Each has benefited significantly from moving to Azure SQL. The session will outline the process of migrating these high-volume applications to the cloud to achieve improved performance, security, and innovation.

3 things you'll get out of this session

• Learn technical strategies for migrating high-volume applications to Azure SQL • See real examples: insurance quote engine and banking platform migrations • Achieve improved performance, security, and innovation in the cloud

Speakers

Manish Kumar

Manish Kumar's previous sessions

Empowering SQL: Mastering Intelligent Query Processing in 20 Minutes
Dive into the heart of database optimization with our 20-minute session on Intelligent Query Processing (IQP) in SQL Server and Azure SQL. In this power-packed talk, we will demystify IQP, the driving force behind accelerated query performance. We'll begin with a quick overview, highlighting the pivotal role of IQP in query optimization and database efficiency. Then, we'll dive into key IQP features focusing on their impacts in real-world.
 
Managed Instance Link - Seamless migration to Azure
We, the cloud solutions architects from Microsoft, will be talking around SQL migration journey from on-prem to Azure SQL in general, taking you through all available Microsoft's migration tools like DMA, DMS, Azure Migrate, ADS, etc, and then focus on migration to Managed Instance using SQL MI Link. You should take away with you the understanding of when to use which tool and how the newly available Azure SQL Managed Instance Link can help you to achieve a minimum downtime migration of on-prem SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance.
 
The Power of Polybase with SQL - True data Virtualisation
Customers would be able to understand what exactly Polybase is, why it's useful, what are the use cases and finally how to use this feature of SQL Server. Polybase have been around for quite some time, since SQL Server 2016, however, the awareness and the way it virtualises the data may not have been understood well for some customers.
 
Performance Tuning of Azure SQL DB
Manish Kumar from Microsoft will take you through various performance tuning measures you should take before increasing service tier of your database. The session will be packed with tons of information, steps and demos.