SQL Server 2025 introduces some of the most significant advances in the platform’s history — from AI integration and vector search to enhanced performance, real-time streaming, and modern T-SQL. This two-day, hands-on masterclass is built for professionals who want more than slides: every module pairs concept explanations with live demos and guided lab exercises so you leave with working knowledge, not just awareness.

Across two intensive days, you will explore, experiment, and build — gaining the practical skills to make SQL Server 2025 work in your environment from day one.

Whether you’re building AI-powered apps, optimizing for performance, or designing the next generation of your data platform — this course gives you the hands-on foundation to make SQL Server 2025 work for you.

This course is designed for experienced SQL Server professionals ready to get hands-on with the latest release. You do not need prior SQL Server 2025 exposure — but you should be comfortable with SQL fundamentals and day-to-day database work.

Recommended background: 2+ years working with SQL Server (any version). Familiarity with T-SQL, basic query tuning, or application development against a relational database.

To get the most from the labs and demos, attendees should come prepared with the following:

Technical Prerequisites

• Comfortable writing and reading T-SQL queries (SELECT, JOINs, aggregations, subqueries)
• Basic understanding of SQL Server objects: tables, indexes, stored procedures, views
• Familiarity with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Azure Data Studio
• Working knowledge of your primary role: developer, DBA, or data engineer

Nice to Have (not required)

• Experience with any version of SQL Server 2019 or 2022
• Basic familiarity with Azure services or Microsoft Fabric
• Exposure to JSON, REST APIs, or vector/embedding concepts

• Hands-on experience running and testing new SQL Server 2025 features in a live lab environment
• Working knowledge of AI and vector search capabilities you can apply to your own data platform
• Practical T-SQL patterns using new 2025 syntax — ready to use in production code
• A clear upgrade and migration checklist tailored to your role and workload type
• Reusable lab scripts, demo queries, and reference guides to take back to your team
• Scenarios, decision frameworks, and guidelines to evaluate features for your specific context

DAY 1 — DEEP DIVES
Module 1: Engine, Performance & Security
Optimized locking, ADR, IQP, Entra ID, encryption, distributed AGs, optimized failover, Azure Arc

Module 2: T-SQL & Developer Features
JSON, regex, REST/HTTP integration, new T-SQL functions

Module 3: AI & Vector Search
Built-in vector search, embeddings, semantic search, AI-driven app patterns

DAY 2 — STREAMING, ARCHITECTURE & ROADMAP
Module 4: Data Engineering & Streaming
Change event streaming, real-time analytics, Microsoft Fabric integration, hybrid architectures

Module 5: Migration & Roadmap
Upgrade paths, modernization strategies, best practices, aligning your roadmap