Microsoft at PASS Data Community Summit 2026:
Microsoft is excited to be back as Sapphire Sponsor and bring that spirit to life through a mix of technical deep dives, community-led conversations, and opportunities to engage directly with Microsoft product leaders and experts. This year, we’ll go deep across the Azure Data portfolio to cover the subjects we’ve been asked about the most, from SQL, PostgreSQL, to Fabric. Whether you’re talking SQL over breakfast, asking your toughest questions during our Azure Data AMA, diving deep with the engineers building the products you use every day, or catching a live Data Exposed session, there are plenty of ways to participate beyond the breakout room. PASS Data Community Summit is more than a place to hear what’s new. It’s a place to be part of what’s next. Microsoft together with our co-sponsor AMD will be there with sessions and experiences that will hopefully leave you inspired by what you can build next. Here’s a look at the Microsoft sessions happening across the week: But PASS Data Community Summit has always been more than just sessions. So, we’re bringing back some of the most popular experiences to the community: We hope to see you there! Register now and use code AZURE150 for a discount off your registration!Introducing sqlsimtools
Years ago, in a galaxy far, far away, my colleagues in support, Keith Elmore and Robert Dorr, built a tool called ostress.exe. For decades it transformed the way we reproduced customer issues for SQL Server. The engineering team used it, and up until now I've used it for demonstrations, books, and examples. Its magic was simple: ostress could simulate many concurrent users running SQL queries or scripts. I decided to rethink ostress for today's SQL world, and the result is sqlsimtools, now in public preview at https://aka.ms/sqlsimtools. It's a free, open-source suite of workload simulation tools for SQL Server 2019, 2022, and 2025, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL database in Microsoft Fabric. I've been building it for some time and using it at events and in demonstrations. Now I want everyone to have it. The public preview includes: sqlsim: a native, ODBC-based command-line tool for Windows (x64 and ARM64) and Ubuntu Linux. sqlpysim: a Python version of sqlsim built on Microsoft's mssql-python driver, for Windows and Ubuntu Linux. sqlsim Studio: a self-contained local browser app that configures, runs, monitors, replays, and compares workloads using sqlsim or sqlpysim. It's available today on Windows x64. I'm also looking for Private Preview testers for macOS, and for sqlsim Studio on Linux and Windows ARM64. If you'd like to help, request Private Preview access. I'll be writing more posts on different parts of the tools, but here are my top 10 cool things you can do with sqlsimtools: Run any SQL query, script, or mixed workload Create your own benchmarks, load tests, and stress tests Configure, run, monitor, and compare workloads visually with sqlsim Studio Replay captured SQL Server activity Monitor workload performance live or after execution Run before-and-after experiments with detailed performance comparisons Test SQL Server, Azure SQL, and SQL database in Microsoft Fabric with flexible authentication Use native or Python tools on Windows, Linux, and macOS (Private Preview) Automate testing with JSON results and live event streams Build and run workloads with AI agents such as GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Codex CLI, and Cursor Get started today at https://aka.ms/sqlsimtools . The easiest way to start is the all-in-one sqlsimtools package, which includes sqlsim Studio and both command-line tools. You can also download just the tool for your platform, or clone the repo and build it yourself. On Windows, unblock the ZIP before you extract it, because the tools aren't code signed. sqlsimtools is an open-source project, not an official Microsoft product, and isn't covered by Microsoft support. For questions and ideas, join the conversation in GitHub Discussions (microsoft/sqlsimtools · Discussions · GitHub), and report bugs in GitHub Issues (Issues · microsoft/sqlsimtools). During Public Preview I'm not taking Pull Requests yet but file issues and as the project progresses, we will incorporate the PR process. Bob Ward MicrosoftSQL Spotlight: Ignite 2025
Ignite 2025: Your SQL Guide Microsoft Ignite 2025 is less than 30 days away! Whether you’re a data professional, DBA, or developer, this event is your chance to dive in, expand knowledge, and connect with fellow SQL experts. Join Microsoft leaders and customers as they share best practices, practical insights from across the SQL portfolio. Be the first to hear the latest releases, dive in with hands-on labs, and new learning paths to grow your skill set. Grab your coffee and add the following sessions to your schedule! Be sure to check back for more updates: 5 SQL Sessions You Don’t Want to Miss (in person and online) 1. BRK124: SQL Server 2025: The AI-ready enterprise database Tue, Nov 18 | 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM PST | Learn how SQL Server 2025 is redefining what’s possible for enterprise data with AI integration, native JSON, REST APIs, and vector search. 2. BRK156: How Levi’s is transforming their IT estate with Azure Wed, Nov 19 | 2:45 PM - 3:30 PM PST Hear how American icon Levi’s transformed its 150 year-business by migrating Windows Server, SQL Server, SAP and Oracle workloads to Azure. 3. BRK126: Build scalable AI apps with Azure SQL Database Hyperscale Tue, Nov 18 | 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM PST | Learn how Azure SQL Hyperscale together with AI Foundry delivers a more modern, secure, scalable solution for building AI apps. Industrial IT company Hexagon and investment company, BlackRock will join us onstage to share their experience, demos and more. 4. BRK125: Meet the performance-enhanced next-gen Azure SQL Managed Instance Wed, Nov 19 | 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM PST | This session is all about to get the most from your SQL Server workloads with Azure SQL Managed Instance. 5. BRK220: SQL database in Fabric: The unified database for AI apps and analytics Wed, Nov 19 | 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM PST | See how the latest from SQL in Fabric brings transactional and analytical workloads together in one end-to-end AI-driven solution. Theater sessions (in person only) 1. THR707: Elevate SQL development with VSCode, GitHub Copilot and new drivers Tue, Nov 18 | 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST | A demo-heavy theater session showing how AI-driven tools streamline SQL development. Love coding efficiency? This one’s for you. 2. THR711: Smarter SQL: GitHub Copilot + SSMS 22 Thu, Nov 20 | 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM PST | Hands-on exploration of AI-powered Copilots in SQL Server Management Studio and beyond. 3. THR704: Accelerate SQL Migrations with AI-assisted experience in Azure Arc Thu, Nov 20 | 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM PST | Learn how Azure Arc simplifies SQL migrations with near-zero downtime. For the builders: Labs (in person only) LAB533: Build scalable AI & Data Solutions in SQL Database in Microsoft Fabric LAB530: Build new AI Applications with Azure SQL Databases Connect with us at the Expert Meet Up stations! (in person only) Come back and learn more about the onsite experiences we’re bringing to San Francisco!Microsoft at PASS Data Community Summit 2025
Microsoft is excited to be back as the Sapphire Sponsor for this year’s PASS Data Community Summit, together with AMD. It’ll be a week packed with keynotes, learning pathways, sessions, breakfast, giveaways and more! Our experts and engineers will be there and ready to share all things SQL Server 2025, cover the latest from Azure SQL, Microsoft Fabric and more—delivered on a foundation of AMD-powered innovation. Whether your goals are modernizing for performance and AI readiness or building intelligent apps and agents, we’ll have you covered. Join us to “Connect, Share and Learn” alongside the rest of your peers at the PASS community. CVP of Azure Databases, Shireesh Thota, is back as the keynote speaker, and will be joined by leaders across Microsoft Data including Priya Sathy and Bob Ward—highlighting how Microsoft and AMD are shaping the future of data together. Join us on Day 2, Thursday, November 20 th . Come back and check as new sessions are added: Learning Pathways: Becoming Azure SQL DBA – High Availability and BCDR Dr. Dani Ljepava, Bob Ward, John Morehouse Learn how to evolve your Azure SQL DBA skills in the domain of High Availability (HA), Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) from the perspective of on-premises DBA’s. Becoming Azure SQL DBA – Security, Compliance, Threats, Connectivity Pam Lahoud, Joey Dantoni Evolve your Azure SQL DBA skills in the domain of security, compliance, authentication and connectivity, from the perspective of an on-premises DBA now supporting databases in Azure. Becoming Azure SQL DBA – Performance Monitoring, Tuning, and Alerting Erin Stellato, Pam Lahoud, Monica Morehouse (Rathbun) Extend your Azure SQL DBA skills in the domain of performance monitoring, tuning, and alerting from the perspective of on-premises DBA. Becoming Azure SQL DBA – Copilot and AI Davide Mauri, Erin Stellato Unlock the future of data productivity with a hands-on exploration of AI-powered Copilots! We’ll dive into Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Microsoft Copilot in Azure with NL2SQL and SQL, and Copilot for SQL Databases in Microsoft Fabric. Becoming an Azure SQL DBA - New Opportunities for DBAs in Azure Bob Ward, Dr. Dani Ljepava, Erin Stellato, Pam Lahoud Explore new skill development opportunities as an Azure SQL DBA. Many traditional SQL Server DBA tasks have been partially or fully delegated to Microsoft, and this shift in responsibilities provides a great opportunity to invest in developing new cloud skills that will help you excel as an Azure SQL DBA champion. General Sessions Breakfast with the Microsoft Data Leadership Team JUST ADDED! Shireesh Thota, Priya Sathy, Bob Ward, Erin Stellato Get your day started early at PASS Data Community Summit with a free breakfast and a Q&A session with a panel of leaders across Microsoft hosted by Bob Ward. Tell us what is top of mind for you across SQL Server, Azure SQL, Microsoft Fabric and topics like AI. This is always one of the most popular sessions at the PASS Data Community Summit, so you won’t want to miss it! Lunch and Learn with Bob Ward JUST ADDED! Join us for a lunch and learn with Bob Ward as he covers all things SQL and dives into his latest release: SQL Server 2025 Unveiled: The AI-Ready Enterprise Database with Microsoft Fabric Integration. Space will be extremely limited, bring your lunch and join this exclusive session! Inside SQL Server 2025 Bob Ward Join Bob Ward and friends to go deep into the next major release of SQL Server, SQL Server 2025, the Enterprise AI-ready database. You will learn the fundamentals and a deep dive of all the new capabilities in the release so you can plan and make key decisions on when and how to upgrade. SQL Database in Fabric: The Unified Database for AI Apps and Analytics JUST ADDED! Amar Digamber Patil, Yo-Lei Chen, Basudep Sarkar Discover how SQL in Fabric brings transactional and analytical workloads together in one cloud-native database. In this session, we’ll show how developers and data teams can simplify AI-driven application development with near real-time insights and built-in AI, seamless OneLake integration, and end-to-end analytics—all in a single, unified experience. Building Scalable, Secure AI Apps with Azure SQL Hyperscale Build AI apps that run securely and scale with your needs with Azure SQL Database Hyperscale. We’ll cover native vector indexes for semantic search, read scale‑out for low‑latency RAG, using the model of your choice, from T‑SQL. Ecosystem sessions Smarter GitHub Copilot + SSMS 22 Erin Stellato Discover how GitHub Copilot is transforming the way you write T-SQL and optimize your SQL databases inside SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 22. In this session, we’ll showcase the newest SSMS 22 features alongside real-world demos of GitHub Copilot, highlighting how AI assistance can speed up query writing, reduce errors, and boost productivity. Booth Experiences What: Book signing "SQL Server 2025 Unveiled" with Bob Ward When: Wednesday, November 19th evening reception Where: Microsoft and AMD booth (#404) Join us as we celebrate the release of "SQL Server 2025 Unveiled" at the PASS Summit evening reception! Limited to the first 200 attendees. Now on demand! Get a jump start on your PASS experience. "The AI Opportunity: From Ground to Cloud" webinar is now available on demand! Get an early preview of the sessions at PASS Summit and a closer look into SQL Server 2025. Hosted by Redgate’s Kellyn Gorman and Bob Ward, sign up and watch today! --Exclusive Offer for PASS Attendees-- As a special offer from Microsoft, use the code AZURE150 to receive $150 off your 3-day conference pass. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, grow, and learn with the community. Register todayTemporal: Encountering Error 13535 Data modification failed on system-versioned table...
When 2 or more workers are modifying the same row, it is possible to encounter 13535. The time of the begin transaction and the modification are the defining properties. When the transaction begin time is before the latest row modification, error 13535 is encountered.Microsoft at PASS Data Community Summit 2023!
It's gearing up to be an exciting week November 14 th – 17 th as we prepare for this year’s Microsoft Ignite and PASS Data Summit all happening at once! While across the way we’ll be sharing the latest from Microsoft all up, taking place at the Convention Center we’re excited to be with our community digging into all things data and analytics. We’re back as the premier sponsor together with our partners at Intel. With over 30+ sessions we’ll cover everything from ground to the cloud, with SQL Server, Azure SQL, all the way up to powering analytics for your data with Microsoft Fabric. This year, we’ll also bring in our developer community with sessions covering our solutions for open-source database, PostgreSQL. We hope you’ll join us to “Connect, Share and Learn” alongside the rest of your peers at the PASS community. The official event kicks off with our keynote Wednesday morning with Shireesh Thota Vice President of Azure Databases who’s been hard at work getting ready for the event: Below you’ll find just some of the highlights on how Microsoft is showing up at this year’s PASS Summit: Pre-Cons Monday: The Cloud Workshop for the SQL DBA Bob Ward This workshop will provide a technically led driven approach to translating your knowledge and skills from SQL Server to Azure SQL. You will experience an immersive look at Azure SQL including hands-on labs, no Azure subscription required. Tuesday: Azure SQL and SQL Server: All Things Developers Brian Spendolini, Anagha Todalbagi In this workshop, we'll dedicate a full day to deep diving into each one of these new features such as JSON, Data API builder, calling REST endpoints, Azure function integrations and much more, so that you'll learn how to take advantage of them right away. Also being covered: Understand the use cases Gain practical knowledge that can be used right away Keynote Wednesday Shireesh Thota, Vice President of Azure Join Microsoft's Shireesh Thota and Microsoft engineering leaders for a keynote delivered live from Seattle. We'll showcase how the latest from Microsoft across databases, analytics, including the recently announced Fabric, seamlessly integrate to accelerate the power of your data. General Sessions 30+ sessions over three days: Check them all out here. From SQL Server to Azure SQL and analytics and governance, Microsoft’s experts will bring the latest product develops to help you build the right data platform to solve your business needs. Connect, Grow, Learn with us! As a special offer from Microsoft, enter the code AZURE150 at checkout to receive $150 off on the 3-Day conference pass (in-person). SQL Server: 30 and thriving! Already registered? Pop on by opening night as we say Happy Birthday SQL Server! Register today at https://passdatacommunitysummit.com/ See you there!
