SQL Server 2008 R2 Airlift

Looks like a cool presentation.

I got notice yesterday of the SQL Server 2008 R2 Airlift presentation - seems like it would be very informative, although I have no idea what companies will be the first to bite on a system such as the "Madison" initiative.  Quite expensive, brand new, and unproven. Here's the skinny:

SQL Server 2008 R2 Airlift

· Dates. March 16^th – March 20^th

· Location. The Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA, USA

· Cost. Free for Microsoft Partners receiving this invitation

· Agenda.

Tuesday, March 16^th

• SQL Server 2008 FastTrack Proof of Concept Training

Wednesday, March 17^th

• SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse (day 1)

Thursday, March 18^th

• SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse (day 2)

Friday, March 19^th

• SQL Server 2008 R2 Master Data Management (1/2 day)

Saturday, March 20^th

• SQL Server 2008 R2 Master Data Management

This is an invitation-only event designed for IT professionals and developers from Microsoft partner organizations. This training is only available to the named recipient of this invitation.  The airlift will feature 300-400 level technical sessions and instructor-led trainings covering the new features of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2.

I'm wondering if Microsoft is trying to build parallel dw into something similar to Teradata?

Lee

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Free to partners. Sweet!  So all I need to do is start walking by next week in order to make it.