More Red Gate?

Yes, that’s correct.  Red Gate Software, sponsor of our first SQL Cruise as well as the next two cruises has let Brent and I know that they’re providing each of the cruisers on the Miami cruise with a free 1 year license to their fabulous SQL Toolbelt suite of tools.  This was the first third-party software I ever purchased to support my job as a Database Administrator and for the longest time was the only software I used other than the native SQL Server tools from Microsoft to manage my SQL environment.

SQL Toolbelt is comprised 14 separate products that allow you to become what I’ve coined the Lazy, but Driven DBA:

SQL Compare Pro – allows you to compare and synchronize database schemas

SQL Data Compare Pro – allows you to compare and synchronize database contents

SQL Packager – for easy deployment of SQL Server databases

SQL Prompt Pro – I love this product above all others, it provided the ease of coding that comes with Intellisense that was available before it was in the native tools for SQL.  I still think it surpasses what is availabile natively and use it accordingly.

SQL Source Control – Database source control – packaged inside of SQL Server Management Studio!

SQL Data Generator – For generation of test data inside of your SQL Server databases for testing.

SQL Dependency Tracker – For visually presenting SQL Server object dependencies.

SQL Doc – Allows you to document your SQL databases.

SQL Backup Pro – Provide compression and encryption for your SQL Server database backups.

SQL Monitor – The future of SQL Server monitoring and alerting – incorporates nicely with the Apple IPad, but more about that later…

SQL Multi Script – Affords you the ability to run scripts seamlessly against multiple SQL Servers

SQL Comparison SDK – Automates comparison and synchronization tasks

SQL Object Level Recovery Native – Recovers SQL Server objects from database backups

SQL Search – Search within your SQL Server database schemas

This may come as a surprise to our cruisers as they are now being notified of this benefit of being a SQL Cruiser.  I was specifically asked to keep this NDA so as not to ruin the surprise. 

While this amounts to a gift worth $1,995.00 it’s not the end of the generosity from Red Gate Software.

On board SQL Cruise Miami Red Gate Software is going to sponsor an event we like to call Search the Ship.  The purpose of Search the Ship is to allow our cruisers to not only familiarize themselves with the ship that will be both their home and training environment for the next 5 nights, but also familiarize themselves with their fellow cruisers.  We’ll divide the teams into equal numbers – including Cruiser guests and corporate sponsor attendees (we’re all in this together, right?)  Brent and I will then sit back and sip boat drinks while the teams perform a photo scavenger hunt on board.  By the time we start this team-building event our phones will only be good for taking photos – unless you’re Scrooge McDuck.  We may as well put them to good use!  The winning team is the first to bring back all the necessary photos we’ve sent them to collect.  The winning team will then be separated into invidual players.  Those team members that are our registered cruisers will then be sent on a hunt for three final list items.  The first person to return with those items will be the winner of a truly fabulous prize.

So, what is that prize?  Well I already told you – a brand new Apple IPad! 

That’s right, as a cruiser on board SQL Cruise #2 you not only receive a 1 year free license to SQL Toolbelt – 14 products in one – but you also have a chance to step back into the states 5 days later the owner of a new IPad.  You won’t have to wait for it either – you’ll get it that night!  The only downside I see is that you may have to wait for your return to Miami before you can load Angry Birds.  A small price to pay though, I think!  When loading Angry Birds, Jewel Quest, and your favorite Twitter client don’t forget to also load SQL Monitor.  Red Gate Software is giving the IPad winner an additional license of SQL Monitor so you’ll be able to watch two instances with their new monitoring tool!

 Red Gate Software, along with our other community-oriented sponsors, really step up to the plate, er dock, when it comes to not only subsidizing the cost of SQL Server Professionals to join a SQL Cruise, but to also ensure that cruisers return to their positions armed with all the tools they need to succeed and be a more effective and efficient SQL resource.  SQLCruise attendees don’t just get great training, in-depth networking, and professional development training.  They get an experience of a lifetime.  Join us on board SQL Cruise!