SQL Server 2016 RTM Cumulative Update #8 Released!

SQL Server 2016 RTM Cumulative Update #8 addresses 19 issues. As part of the ISMv2 initiative, we are now maintaining the latest CU per mainstream supported baseline on the Download Center versus the hotfix server. This eliminates the registration requirement and helps move customers to the latest CU available regardless of when the issue was originally addressed.

This CU will be available for download from Download Center. The associated cumulative KB article, KB4040713, has also been published. Customers are directed to obtain the hotfix package through the new self-service feature by clicking on the Hotfix Download link found at the top of the KB article.

As we look towards the next Cumulative Update we welcome any suggestions you may have to improve future Cumulative Updates. Please send your suggestions and feedback using the MVP discussion alias.

Hotfixes

Successful release of Cumulative Update 8 is a testament to the commitment of the many teams within the SQL BU, who are finding solutions to provide a better customer experience. The coordination, determination and execution between all the SQL BU teams were instrumental in continuing the SQL Release team’s long standing track record for on time release of Cumulative Updates.

12 Microsoft Power BI Success Stories

Self-service BI is on the rise among forward-thinking organizations, enabling business users to obtain up-to-the-minute business information in graphical form on demand — with little to no IT intervention. Since the release of Microsoft Power BI, organizations around the world have been turning to the cloud-based service for self-service business intelligence tools that allow users to analyze, visualize and share data using the familiar Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Here are 12 success stories built on Microsoft Power BI.

Read more https://www.cio.com.au/article/626101/12-microsoft-power-bi-success-stories/?fp=4&fpid=51241

First Release Candidate of SQL Server 2017 Now Available

Release Candidate 1 (RC1), which is now available for download. This means that development work for the new version of SQL Server is complete along most dimensions needed to bring the industry-leading performance and security of SQL Server to Windows, Linux, and Docker containers.
Read more https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/dataplatforminsider/2017/07/17/first-release-candidate-of-sql-server-2017-now-available/

Predicting Hospital Length of Stay

For Hospital management make decisions on how to staff personnel, in real-time, based on patients currently admitted and what treatment is needed,it will be better of they can understand the what is the duration of the patient.
SQL Server 2016, R, and Cortana Analysis was used for this solution.

How much do you really know about SQL Server 2016 licensing?

Licensing is something I have very very little understanding. I believe it is same with many technical guys. This will give you some understanding about SQL Server 2016 licensing.

Read more at http://searchsqlserver.techtarget.com/quiz/How-much-do-you-really-know-about-SQL-Server-2016-licensing

SQL Server Sizing Guide

This document can be used when configuring hardware for physical and virtual SQL servers. It should be used as a guideline, with actual configuration depending on size of databases, reports, and types of usage.

Read more at http://www.ceservices.com/sites/default/files/resources/docs-protected/CES_SQLServerSizing.pdf

CAST and TRY_CAST

We always face issues with casting. When we write casting we expect, it to be in required data type. However, often we see there error with CAST when the correct data is not provided. This might cause entire process to fail.

This issue can be avoided in SQL Server 2012 with TRY_CAST.

Best Practices for SQL Server Deployment in Healthcare

Though this article is specific about SQL Server security in health care,  we can apply the same principals for other environments as well,

Read more at http://healthitsecurity.com/news/best-practices-for-sql-server-deployment-in-healthcare

SQL Server 2017 to add Python support

One of the major announcements from Data Amp event was that SQL Server 2017 will add Python as a supported language.

Read more at http://blog.revolutionanalytics.com/2017/04/sql-2017-python.html

Magic Quadrant for Data Management Solutions for Analytics

Microsoft was leading in the Gartner quarter for while and Oracle was not promising in this. However, with the 2017 results, landscape has changed.



You can read the details at https://www.gartner.com/doc/reprints?id=1-3T5J67S&ct=170209&st=sb