22-25 April 2026 
Sergey Olontsev
I have been working with databases for about 18 years, started with SQL Server 2000. Nowadays, my experience is much broader to various other technologies, both relational and NoSQL databases, different programming languages, etc. I'm focusing on high availability and disaster recovery solutions, ETL, troubleshooting and performance tuning, developing data intensive services and products, processing terabytes of data each day. I’m a regular speaker at SQL Server user group meetings, SQLSaturday events and other conferences. An owner of MCM certification and MVP award on SQL Server (2013-2019).
Sergey Olontsev's Sessions
Inside the Query Engine: Comparing PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server Part 1SQLBits 2025
Compare how PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server optimise the same queries differently. Through practical examples, discover each database's unique approach to query planning and optimisation, helping you make informed decisions for your projects.
Inside the Query Engine: Comparing PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server Part 2SQLBits 2025
Compare how PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server optimise the same queries differently. Through practical examples, discover each database's unique approach to query planning and optimisation, helping you make informed decisions for your projects.
Lessons learned from refactoring multi terabyte databases for the last 10 yearsSQLBits 2023
Database refactoring could be tricky sometimes. To learn more about it come to my session, where I will tell you about different situations and scenarios I've came across during the last 10 years. I will share my experience; traps, you easily can get into, and what solutions did I choose to come over it.
Building a Query Optimizer from Scratch Part 1SQLBits 2026
Build a query optimizer from scratch in 2 hours. Learn how databases execute queries efficiently by implementing parsing, plan generation, and cost-based optimization. Understand the principles behind real database optimizers.
Building a Query Optimizer from Scratch Part 2SQLBits 2026
Build a query optimizer from scratch in 2 hours. Learn how databases execute queries efficiently by implementing parsing, plan generation, and cost-based optimization. Understand the principles behind real database optimizers.
TDS Protocol Deep DiveSQLBits 2026
Ever wondered how applications communicate with databases? This session reveals what happens behind the scenes when connecting to SQL Server. We'll examine the protocol messages and demonstrate a Rust service implementing TDS, showing how query commands are processed and results formatted.
Text2SQL vs. Semantic Layers: Choosing the Right Approach for Natural Language AnalyticsSQLBits 2026
I'll demonstrate both approaches side by side. First, a live Text2SQL demo: what works and where it breaks down. Then, I'll explain semantic layers in detail: what they are, how to build them, and why they matter. Finally, I'll show an AI agent using both methods, comparing results directly. You'll see how semantic layers reduce errors and enforce business rules.
Inside the Query Engine: Comparing PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server Part 1SQLBits 2025
Compare how PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server optimise the same queries differently. Through practical examples, discover each database's unique approach to query planning and optimisation, helping you make informed decisions for your projects.
Inside the Query Engine: Comparing PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server Part 2SQLBits 2025
Compare how PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server optimise the same queries differently. Through practical examples, discover each database's unique approach to query planning and optimisation, helping you make informed decisions for your projects.
Lessons learned from refactoring multi terabyte databases for the last 10 yearsSQLBits 2023
Database refactoring could be tricky sometimes. To learn more about it come to my session, where I will tell you about different situations and scenarios I've came across during the last 10 years. I will share my experience; traps, you easily can get into, and what solutions did I choose to come over it.