Andy B
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andybrownsword.bsky.social
Andy B
@andybrownsword.bsky.social
🚀 Quick win: Add email support to ADF / Synapse pipelines with a lightweight Logic App 👇🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/12/02/s...
Sending Emails from Data Factory Pipelines
Not all pipelines in Azure have native options for sending emails. The lucky Fabric folks have an Office 365 connection ready to rock. Data Factory and Synapse don’t have email capability bui…
andybrownsword.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Winter is coming...
(stew in the slow cooker tonight 🍲)
November 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
🔧 The Import Data wizard in SSMS copies columns, not schema. Don't lose the important bits 👇🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/11/25/t...
The Cost of Convenience with the Import Data Wizard
If you need to create a copy of a table in another database, the ‘Import Data’ option may seem convenient. If you’ve used this method to copy to your dev environment and found thi…
andybrownsword.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:14 PM
🚨 When SQL Server stops responding, the DAC might be your lifeline. See how it works in different offerings:
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/11/18/u...
Understanding SQL Server’s Dedicated Admin Connection (DAC)
Slow queries are one thing, but under heavy pressure, your SQL Servers might see failed connections or slow responses. When the server isn’t responding we want a back-door we can crack open. …
andybrownsword.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:12 PM
☁️ If your Self-Hosted IR doesn’t need to run 24/7, switch the VM on for the work and off when you’re done - and save 💰
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/11/11/r...
Reduce Uptime and Costs for Azure Hosted Integration Runtimes
If you have a Self-Hosted Integration Runtime (SHIR, or IR for short here) on an Azure Virtual Machine (VM), there’s a cost to keep it online. When used intermittently – for example dur…
andybrownsword.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:14 PM
☁️ Calling Logic Apps from Pipelines ☁️
Web vs. WebHook: the patterns, pitfalls, and cost savings 💰
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/11/04/c...
Calling Logic Apps from Data Factory Pipelines
Last week we looked at calling a Data Factory Pipeline from a Logic App. This week I thought we’d balance it out by taking a look at calling a Logic App from an Azure Data Factory (ADF) Pipel…
andybrownsword.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Demonstrating the pattern for calling a pipeline from a Logic App and waiting for completion 🖐🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/10/28/r...
Running Data Factory Pipelines in Logic Apps
When building Azure Logic Apps we can use the Azure Data Factory connector to start a pipeline. However that action simply triggers a pipeline and doesn’t wait for it to finish. If …
andybrownsword.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:01 PM
FTTP finally available and installed. Top class service from Openreach 🤝

Upward of 40x uplift on the old copper in one afternoon 🤯⚡
October 24, 2025 at 10:46 PM
This month's T-SQL Tuesday looking at string parsing, and filling the Named Groups gap in SQL Server 2025's Regex functions 🧩
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/10/21/t...
T-SQL Tuesday #191 – Art of the Parsable
This month’s invitation from Steve asks us about our favourite string parsing routines. It conveniently popped up as I was trying out the new Regular Expression (Regex) functions in SQL Serve…
andybrownsword.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 8:45 PM
🧠 String parsing got an upgrade in SQL Server 2025 with Regular Expressions. Check out the expressions and the power they bring 💪🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/10/14/e...
Exploring Regular Expressions in SQL Server 2025
String parsing is a regular occurrence when it comes to data engineering. Splitting strings, converting, combining – all in an effort to bring some order. Sometimes we need a more p…
andybrownsword.co.uk
October 18, 2025 at 11:19 PM
I was today years old when I learned bearer tokens could be decoded 🤯
October 15, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Proactively review and tighten your SSRS security with a couple of quick scripts 👇🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/10/07/r...
Review Security Drift in Reporting Services
Reporting Services deployments aren’t exactly the latest fashion, so any you stumble upon are probably a little dated and in need of TLC. One place to review would be the security. Security i…
andybrownsword.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Integrating with SharePoint from Logic Apps 🤝 using the REST API, an App Registration, and a certificate 🔒
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/09/30/f...
File Operations in SharePoint Using Logic Apps and App Registration
The standard SharePoint connectors in Logic Apps authenticate with Entra accounts. When you want to use an App Registration instead, it’s a little trickier. In this post, we’ll show how…
andybrownsword.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 7:56 AM
A bit about debugging and error handling with RAISERROR and THROW 👇🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/09/23/w...
Why Do We Still Use RAISERROR?
I don’t use RAISERROR often – I usually forget which severity code to use. After looking at a sprinkling of them recently I decided it was time for a refresher, so come along for the ri…
andybrownsword.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Great to see 1.0 and the Xbox release for DRG Survivor 💪🏼 Had a blast trying out early access and love diving back in for 1.0! Rock and stone miners ⛏️
September 19, 2025 at 9:04 PM
🖥️ Den in progress...
⚒️ Love a good flat pack
✅ Afternoon project complete
September 13, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This month's #tsql2sday discussion about mastery of skills and my approach to learning 👇🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/09/09/t...
T-SQL Tuesday #190 – Mastering Skills
This month’s T-SQL Tuesday invitation from Todd asks us to consider mastery of skills. Learning is a continual cycle, a part of our everyday – be it on a personal or professional journe…
andybrownsword.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
An efficient option for batching DML changes by walking the primary key 🚶🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/09/02/b...
Batching Large Data Changes Using Key Ranges
Handling data modifications to large tables can be tricky. We can end up with long running queries and large transactions. Efficiently handling them comes from batching. Effective batching in gener…
andybrownsword.co.uk
September 8, 2025 at 8:44 AM
⛏️ Digging deeper into Join operator behaviour to see where they can be quietly helping or hindering performance 👇🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/08/26/d...
Discovering More About Join Operator Internals
In the previous post I explained Join Operators in SQL Server. Whilst compiling that I dug a little deeper and came across a few interesting points I thought were worth sharing. Let’s look at…
andybrownsword.co.uk
September 4, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Another year, another week at Potters Resort with the family. Thoroughly enjoyed by all (again) thanks to the fantastic team which makes the magic happen 🪄
August 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Great to see Helldivers 2 make it's way to Xbox today. Looking forward to diving in this weekend 👌🏼
August 26, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Peeking under the hood of join operators: when they're used, and how they work 👇🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/08/19/s...
SQL Server Join Operators Explained
When reviewing our execution plans we’ll see joins executed using different operators. The type of operator is chosen based on the data that’s available to join and how the optimiser wa…
andybrownsword.co.uk
August 25, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Solutions for dealing with performance bottlenecks in SSIS packages 💪🏼
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/08/05/s...
Solving Bottlenecks in SSIS Packages
Last time out we started to look at optimising SSIS packages by showing how to identify bottlenecks with a handy script. This time we’re turning insights into action to solve those pain …
andybrownsword.co.uk
August 21, 2025 at 10:52 PM
A script to identify bottlenecks in SSIS packages and focus areas for improvement 🔍
andybrownsword.co.uk/2025/07/29/i...
Identifying Bottlenecks in SSIS Packages
Performance issues in SSIS packages can be tough to track down. You know something is off but trawling through pages of SSIS reporting and the validation noise is frustrating. Adding your own loggi…
andybrownsword.co.uk
August 18, 2025 at 7:06 PM