Level: Intermediate

Kevin Goff

Microsoft SQL Server MVP

Practice Manager

SetFocus, LLC

It might seem far-fetched that a company would upgrade to SQL Server 2012 "just" for a database index. But after you see the performance enhancements gained from the new columnstore index in SQL Server 2012, you'll see why many are calling this one of the most important features in the history of SQL Server. In this presentation, Kevin will talk about the physical aspects of columnstore index in SQL Server 2012, how to create it, and what environments (mainly data warehousing environments) and queries can make use of it. He will show performance benchmarks between columnstore indexes in SQL Server 2012, and compare them to index strategies prior to SQL Server 2012. He will also show how the new Batch execution mode can improve performance as well.

You will learn:

• The tremendous performance boost from columnstore indexes
• What database workflow scenarios will likely benefit from the columnstore index (and which ones won't)
• Tips for optimizing certain queries to leverage the columnstore index