Intermediate2 days
Azure SQL for Analytics Workloads
The relational backbone of Azure analytics: Hyperscale, Elastic Pools, and Synapse Link
Overview
Azure SQL Database is far more than a managed SQL Server in the cloud. With the Hyperscale service tier unlocking virtually unlimited storage and read scale-out replicas, Elastic Pools enabling cost-efficient multi-tenant architectures, serverless compute for unpredictable workloads, and Azure Synapse Link for zero-ETL analytics, Azure SQL has become the relational foundation of modern cloud data platforms. This two-day training teaches analytics professionals to design, optimise, and govern Azure SQL for demanding analytics scenarios — from schema design and query tuning to connecting Azure SQL as a live data source for Synapse Analytics, Fabric, and Power BI. Copilot in Azure SQL Database and the AI capabilities for intelligent applications round off a complete, 2026-current curriculum.
What you'll learn
- Select the right Azure SQL service tier and purchasing model (DTU vs vCore, General Purpose vs Hyperscale vs Business Critical) for analytics workloads
- Configure Hyperscale with named read replicas to offload heavy analytical queries from the primary OLTP replica
- Design cost-efficient multi-database architectures using Elastic Pools with shared compute resources
- Enable Azure Synapse Link for Azure SQL to replicate transactional data in real time to a Synapse dedicated pool or Microsoft Fabric without writing ETL code
- Tune analytical query performance with columnstore indexes, in-memory OLTP, and Query Store recommendations
- Implement enterprise-grade security using Transparent Data Encryption, Dynamic Data Masking, row-level security, and Microsoft Defender for SQL
Programme
Day 1 — Architecture, provisioning & performance
- Azure SQL Database service tiers compared: General Purpose, Business Critical, and Hyperscale — choosing the right tier for analytics vs OLTP
- vCore vs DTU purchasing models: cost planning, reserved capacity, and serverless auto-pause configuration
- Elastic Pools: designing shared-resource multi-tenant databases for SaaS analytics platforms and cost management strategies
- Hyperscale deep-dive: how page servers and log service enable near-unlimited storage, rapid scale-out, and sub-minute restore
- Read Scale-Out with named Hyperscale replicas: routing reporting queries to a dedicated replica to protect OLTP performance
- Columnstore indexes and in-memory OLTP: accelerating analytical aggregations and high-throughput event ingestion within Azure SQL
- Query Store and automatic tuning: identifying regressions, forcing good plans, and enabling automatic index recommendations
- Hands-on: provision a Hyperscale database, add a read replica, and run a reporting workload benchmark comparing primary vs replica latency
Day 2 — Analytics integration, AI & governance
- Azure Synapse Link for Azure SQL: zero-ETL change feed replication to Synapse dedicated pools and Microsoft Fabric — no pipelines, no lag
- Elastic Query: running distributed cross-database T-SQL queries for federated reporting across multiple Azure SQL databases or Azure Synapse
- Connecting Azure SQL to Power BI: Import vs DirectQuery vs Direct Lake mode considerations for reporting on live transactional data
- Copilot in Azure SQL Database: natural-language query generation, self-service schema exploration, and AI-assisted query optimisation
- AI and intelligent applications: connecting Azure SQL as a knowledge store for Azure OpenAI RAG pipelines and semantic caching patterns
- Security and compliance: Transparent Data Encryption, Dynamic Data Masking, row-level security, Microsoft Entra authentication, and Defender for SQL threat detection
- Monitoring and alerting: Database Watcher, Azure Monitor metrics, DMV-based performance diagnostics, and cost governance with Elastic Jobs
- Hands-on: configure Synapse Link from Azure SQL to Microsoft Fabric, then build a Power BI report on the mirrored data without writing a single ETL pipeline
Who is this for?
- Database administrators and SQL developers moving from SQL Server to Azure SQL Database
- Data engineers designing the relational layer of a broader Azure analytics architecture
- Analytics engineers connecting Azure SQL as a live data source for Power BI, Synapse, or Fabric
- Solution architects evaluating Azure SQL vs Azure Synapse Dedicated Pools for mixed OLTP/analytics workloads
Prerequisites
- Solid T-SQL knowledge (SELECT, JOIN, aggregates, basic indexing)
- Familiarity with on-premises SQL Server or another relational database
- Basic Azure portal familiarity
Tools & technologies covered
Azure SQL DatabaseAzure Synapse AnalyticsMicrosoft FabricPower BIAzure Synapse LinkElastic PoolsHyperscaleQuery StoreAzure MonitorMicrosoft Defender for SQL
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