IN-PERSON - Southampton Data Platform and Cloud - 21st February - 2 speakers

This is a place for an in-person meeting in Chilworth. Check out the other one for a virtual meetup on MS Teams.

!!!!! ATTENTION
Since September, we've been having meetups at Spectrum IT's office - Gamma House, Enterprise Rd, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7NS
https://maps.app.goo.gl/66tL8HfgFnoiQEh66

Agenda
18:00: Welcome and Intros

Bart Vernaillen - The impact of character data types on query memory grants.

pizza/networking break

Ben Weiner - Automating Data Cleaning in Excel with Power Query

Raffle and finish

Session details:
1. Bart Vernaillen - The impact of character data types on query memory grants.
How does a datatype impact your query performance?

Is there a relation between your data types and memory grants in SQL Server? We will clearly show you the impact we a few examples

2. Ben Weiner - Automating Data Cleaning in Excel with Power Query
There are many ways to clean data in Excel using formulas and functions, but these can be manual and time consuming, especially if they need to be applied every time the data set is expanded.

Power Query is a tool in Excel which allows users to create a series of steps, such as removing duplicates, creating calculations and formatting text, that are remembered and automatically applied to a data set.
In this presentation I will go through all the steps of cleaning a messy data set in Excel using Power Query, showing how to automate repetitive tasks so Excel users will be able to spend less time on data cleaning and more time on data analysis.

About: Bart Vernaillen
I’m Bart Vernaillen, an experienced IT professional with over 20 years of experience.

My primary focus goes to automating SQL server administration tasks.
In the past, I used VBScript to simplify database management tasks. However, when PowerShell emerged, I immediately transitioned to this new technology.

My extensive scripting experience enables me to create comprehensive automation solutions for various SQL tasks. From installation, configuration, and migrations to database creation, deletion, backup, restoration, and SQL monitoring. (and much more)

My motto: "If you do something, do it right immediately."

About: Ben Weiner
A qualified CIMA Chartered Management Accountant and Microsoft Excel Expert Ben Weiner has been working in finance for over ten years. Initially working in accounting roles in the past few years he has moved in financial analysis using advanced Excel features to analyse financial data and build financial models, accounts and budgets and forecasts.

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A massive thanks to our sponsor Spectrum IT. Without them, we would not be able to host this event for free. Spectrum IT kindly provided funding for the room, pizza and a £20 Amazon Voucher for in-person attendees.
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