This is a place for online attendees. Check out the other one for an in-person meeting in Chilworth.

Link to the Teams meetup

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NmQyODBlY2EtOTIxMy00MmIxLTk0MTgtNjI1YTc4YThjODU5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ecbebdab-1287-47b8-8709-694ffe8697d1%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22a901008d-8ba1-459d-b8fa-3eccacfccadf%22%7d

Agenda 18:00: Welcome and Intros

Ivanna Jurkiv Ditlevsen - How to optimize Azure Synapse pipelines using SQL database meta data tables

pizza/networking break

Jacek Nosal - Power BI Maps. Outside your country.

Frederick Anaafi - Deep Dive into DataViz Tool: Microsoft Power BI

21:00: Raffle and finish

1. Ivanna Jurkiv Ditlevsen - How to optimize Azure Synapse pipelines using SQL database meta data tables

1. Azure Synapse pipelines allow to easily ingest data from a wide range of sources, and to orchestrate pipelines.

I am accustomed to using Synapse pipelines exactly for these purposes. I am also used to working in multiple deployment environments (DEV, UAT and PROD).

One challenge that I stumbled upon with this kind of setup was the effort and time it would take to make updates to the list of tables to be ingested and datasets to be refreshed in PowerBI.

For instance, to ingest data from an additional table, I would need to update the relevant parameter in one of the Synapse pipelines in DEV environment. Then it would be submitted in a pull request, released to UAT, tested there. Only after a few weeks, would the new data start being ingested in PROD.

Doesn't this sound too complex for what it really is?

If you agree, then tag along and I will show you how to use a few meta data tables built in a SQL database to optimize Synapse pipelines.

In my talk, I will focus on 2 examples: 1. using meta data tables to optimize ingestion of data tables 2. using meta data tables to optimize automatic refresh of PowerBI datasets from Synapse pipelines

Note: the session includes a walk-through the solution and assumes familiarity with Azure Synapse pipelines or Azure Data Factory

2. Jacek Nosal - Power BI Maps. Outside your country. Have you ever heard about Power BI, then tried to create a report and the first results were satisfactory. We even managed to create a visualization presenting the data on a map.

However, would you be ready to develop an administrative map from outside your country? Language barrier, new letters... can anything else surprise you? Let me show...

3. Frederick Anaafi - Deep Dive into DataViz Tool: Microsoft Power BI This session offers a comprehensive overview of the Power BI tool and its extensive capabilities, covering key topics such as data visualization, data modeling, and data analysis within the Power BI Platform. The integration of practical scenarios and examples showcases the applied use of Power BI in various industries and business contexts.

Through interactive demonstrations, participants will gain hands-on experience in connecting to diverse data sources, including Excel spreadsheets, SQL databases, and cloud-based services. By leveraging these connections, attendees will learn how to transform raw data into visually appealing and insightful reports. Practical scenarios will be presented, such as trend analysis and opportunity identification, as well as visualizing customer behavior to optimize marketing strategies.

Moreover, participants will be guided through the Power BI user interface, exploring a wide range of features and functionalities available for report creation and customization. Practical examples will illustrate the design of interactive visualizations, the application of filters and slicers for data exploration, and the incorporation of calculated measures and hierarchies for advanced analysis.

By the end of the session, attendees will establish a solid foundation in Power BI and possess the skills necessary to create impactful reports and dashboards. This session is ideal for individuals seeking to leverage the power of Power BI for data analysis and visualization in practical, real-world scenarios.

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