Dr. Dani Ljepava

This session will guide you through the journey of evolving your DBA role from managing on-premises SQL Server databases to becoming Azure SQL DBA in the era of AI. You will learn which responsibilities to retain, which to share with Microsoft, and how to use the freed up time to build cloud and AI skills. We will cover Azure SQL architecture across key areas such as high availability, BCDR, backup and restore, performance, monitoring, security, compliance, and connectivity, and map them directly to traditional SQL Server DBA responsibilities. You will also learn how to leverage Copilot and AI tools in Azure, SSMS, and Azure Arc, and how Azure services like Fabric and Microsoft Copilot for Azure AI can significantly boost DBA productivity.

Planning to migrate SQL Server to Azure SQL and not sure where to start? Join this Ask Me Anything session with Microsoft SQL experts for open, candid discussion and direct answers to your migration questions. This interactive panel creates space to discuss real-world migration projects, operational challenges, and product feedback, including unfiltered input shared directly with the people shaping the platform. The session also helps you understand the major pillars of Microsoft’s investment in Azure SQL, so you can provide feedback and make more informed decisions aligned with your migration needs. Whether you are just starting your migration or modernizing a complex SQL estate, this session is designed to deliver practical, actionable guidance tailored to your scenarios

Managing SQL Server in hybrid and multi-cloud environments can be challenging. Azure Arc streamlines SQL Server operations across on-prem, edge, and even other public clouds. Discover how to use built-in capabilities like best practices assessment, performance monitoring, and migration tools to centralize insights, simplify daily operations, and get ready for migration to Azure.

Learn how Azure SQL gives you best price/performance with Azure benefits, flexible SKU configurations and how seamless SQL migration experience in Azure Arc puts you on fast-track migration journey to Azure SQL with evergreen assessments, best fit SKU recommendations and near zero‑downtime migrations. Learn how SSMA accelerates Oracle/Sybase to Azure SQL migrations with AI Code Conversion Copilot.

This session will guide you through the journey of evolving your DBA role from managing on-premises SQL Server databases to becoming Azure SQL DBA in the era of AI. You will learn which responsibilities to retain, which to share with Microsoft, and how to use the freed up time to build cloud and AI skills. We will cover Azure SQL architecture across key areas such as high availability, BCDR, backup and restore, performance, monitoring, security, compliance, and connectivity, and map them directly to traditional SQL Server DBA responsibilities. You will also learn how to leverage Copilot and AI tools in Azure, SSMS, and Azure Arc, and how Azure services like Fabric and Microsoft Copilot for Azure AI can significantly boost DBA productivity.