Data Platform Summit 2017 (hereinafter DPS 2017) is the third-edition of Asia’s largest 3-day data & analytics learning event from DataPlatformGeeks community. The event embarked on its successful journey on August 17^th and concluded on August 19^th. The summit was a grand success with participation from 200+ companies, 900+ delegates per day and speakers from 16 countries. The 3-day summit was held at NIMHANS Convention Center in the silicon city of India, Bangalore (Karnataka State). DPS 2017 was inaugurated by the Hon. IT Minister of Government of Karnataka, Shri Priyank Kharge. On August 16^th, a day before the summit, eight full-day training sessions were held as part of DPS 2017 Pre-Conference Seminars.

DPS 2017 Group Photo

DPS 2017 Team

The success of DPS 2017 can be attributed to the continuous urge of the Indian data & analytics professionals to learn the best from the best, and to the inhuman strength & tenacity of a 90-odd squad that belonged to DataPlatformGeeks & eDominer Systems. The 90-member team that supported DPS 2017 include full-time employees of eDominer Systems, DataPlatformGeeks (DPG) core team members and the extra-ordinary young volunteers handpicked from leading colleges in Bangalore.

DPG Core Team

Amit Bansal

Manohar Punna

Prince Rastogi

Sandip Pani

Avanish Panchal

Surbhi Agarwal

Yogeshwar Phull

eDominer DPS Team

Dr. Deepti Pillai

Mamita Sinha

Satya Ramesh

Merlin Paul

Upasana Priya

Akshata Bawiskar

Lijo Matthew

Pooja, Sarala, Debaditya, Shruti, Sowmya, Sahana, Mohit, Eshwar, Tarakanth

Chief Guest

Mr. Priyank Kharge, Hon. IT Minister of Government of Karnataka was the Chief Guest at DPS 2017. He delivered an intriguing talk on how the government leverages analytics in its day-to-day affairs. He emphasized the role of summits like DPS 2017 in putting emerging technologies in the forefront and in policy making. Apart from applauding DataPlatformGeeks’ community work, he deeply appreciated DPGs contributions towards social causes under eDominer’s NGO, Mahadevi Foundation.

Keynote

Mr. Narendra Bhandari, General Manager, Developer Experience, Microsoft India, delivered a 45-minute keynote on how Microsoft Data Platform enables an organization to unleash the power of data. He described how Microsoft Data Platform solutions release the potential hidden in data – whether it is on-premise, in the cloud, or at the edge – and reveal insights and opportunities to transform businesses.

Opening Address

Mr. Amit Bansal, Chairperson, Data Platform Summit, enlightened the audience on how eDominer Systems & DataPlatformGeeks fulfilled its last year’s promise of supporting six NGOs (charitable institutions/orphanages in India) from the summit revenue. Audience were delighted to realize that they too would be indirectly contributing to this noble cause.

Quotes & Testimonials

“A platform like DPS 2017, and of this scale, gives disruptors and thought-leaders an opportunity to meet and come-up with out-of-the-box ideas about emerging technologies and tell the Government of Karnataka, what the private sector wants…progressive policy making of the Government should also be driven by such summits…the Government wants a perfect ecosystem of Ideation-Innovation-Invention, and conferences like DPS 2017 will help in this objectives.”

Priyank Kharge, Hon. IT Minister of Government of Karnataka

“What makes DPS 2017 all the more “greater” than others is the fact that first time I am seeing a community-driven event of this magnitude – be it the line of speakers, the quality of execution, right down to the execution on the floor was truly ‘world-standard’. It was such a brilliant event, and Amit has reset the bar this time to a new high, and this will surely make others push their efforts…”

Deepak Rajendran, Community Programme Manager, Microsoft

“It has been an amazing journey all these three days… a wide variety of topics were covered… I have sent my teams to many summits, but DPS 2017 is simply adding Summit 1 + Summit 2 +… and the list goes on… great speakers, good crowd… we can see a summit of this magnitude in other countries only... not in India… I can see that people are facing challenges as to attend which sessions, as all are so very important & good…”

Dr. Sheela Siddappa, Global Delivery Head (Analytics Services), Bosch

“Wonderful experience… a very good opportunity to learn about Microsoft technologies and other products… and meeting all great speakers, sessions were very helpful in terms of knowledge-gain… I am going to implement these in our POCs… we had some hiccups in our project and with the inputs I got from DPS 2017, I am going to fix those POC…”

Arunkumar Tata Ramantha, Manager – Technology (Big Data), Sapient

“Sessions at DPS 2017 were extremely good with thought provoking ideas… content & quality of speakers are excellent at DPS 2017… Multiple tracks help us to understand how different technologies can solve our problems… I am more excited about Open-Talks & Chalk-Talks as they will give an opportunity to connect with SMEs… I can see all delegates here are taking advantage of it…”

Bala Peddigari, Technology Head – Digital Initiatives, TCS

“Excellent conference… Sessions were very interesting, a lot of good case studies were shared…. I look forward to come next year.”

Manu Mahajan, Technology Architect (Power BI), Infosys

“First time I am attending DPS 2017… my experience is really good… a lot of knowledge I am taking back to my company & my projects, gave me a good time to network, get insights from others to solve my project related problems… DataPlatformGeeks should keep doing this every year without fail…”

Prasad Omanwar, Project Manager, Mphasis

DPS 2017: Priceless Expressions

“I cannot find a better platform than DPS to learn and share about what is happening around Microsoft SQL Server and related technologies. Topics cover length and breadth, one can imagine from best of the industry. I am glad Amit and team were able to run this very successfully for two consecutive years and I thank all the speakers who are contributing, this truly helps in taking the talent in India to next level.”

Lakshmana Kumar, Director, Database Administration, S&P Global Market Intelligence

“Every interaction is an opportunity to learn. This summit helped us to interact with industry masters, Technology experts & Cross-company peers, creating a forum to learn the future, infinite interactions. Would love to come back every year!”

Sivasubramanian Chandrasekar, Global Product Lead (Microsoft SQL Server), IBM

“The sound of “data” – a great inauguration of the summit followed by an interesting keynote from Microsoft. This event has been doing a great job in bringing technology and experts closer to its consumers and followers.”

Arijit Sengupta, Manager (Database & Middleware), Thomson Reuters

“I am glad that we took the right decision to send our folks to the summit… it was worth the time and money... I think this summit is one of its kind and a must attend for ever y techie...”

Gaurav Mathur, SME, IBM

Participation @ DPS 2017

DPS 2017 recorded the presence of 877 unique attendees including 67 top leadership members from 200+ companies on day one. Even though DPS 2017 dates fell in between a national holiday & an important festival holiday, the summit witnessed extraordinary zest & participation. Being aware of the technical learning experience from the previous summits, delegates had no qualms choosing DPS 2017 over a short vacation. The summit will also be remembered for the momentary surprise of the IT Minister of Karnataka on seeing a large crowd queuing-up for registration early morning at 8.00 am on day one.

Top Leadership Participation & Round Table with the IT Minister

At DPS 2017 venue, the IT Minister of Karnataka spent more than two hours, when originally his schedule was only an-hour stop at the summit on August 17^th. This gave the top leaders from the industry a good opportunity to have a round table and closed-group interaction with the IT Minister. The IT Minister thanked the top leaders and applauded the efforts of DataPlatformGeeks. He was truly overwhelmed. The IT Minister promised all support from his ministry for next year’s summit, Data Platform Summit 2018.

Top Leaders @ DPS 2017

DPS 2017: IT Minister with VIP Delegates

Delegate Profiles

Data Platform Summit 2017 saw a host of delegates at all levels of designation. While Database Administrators, Engineers, Developers, Consultants, Analysts, Architects and Managers were interested in attending the technical sessions based on their profile, roles & projects, Project Managers, Chief Architects, Chief Data Scientists, AVPs, VPs & CTOs were interested in networking with the senior crowd. Marketing & Sales Heads of some companies were also seen discussing with Microsoft experts, Alliance Heads & sponsors.

Leading Up To DPS 2017

While reaching out to existing community members was important, DPS 2017 core team envisaged a detailed plan to reach out to newer companies & enlarge its existing community membership. Towards this objective, DataPlatformGeeks (DPG) team organized eighteen Data Platform Day (DPD) events in various parts of India in run up to the event touching more than 2500 Data & Analytics professionals.

Data Platform Day, Bangalore

Data Platform Day, Delhi NCR

Data Platform Day, Hyderabad

Data Platform Day, Mumbai

Geographic Distribution

DPS 2017 witnessed delegates from major cities across India. Even though, DPS 2017 was predominantly targeted towards data & analytics professionals in India, the summit witnessed participation from neighbouring countries too.

Industries/Verticals

DPS 2017 witnessed participation from major industries including IT/ITES, BFSI, Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, Energy, Utilities, Public Sector & more.

DPS 2017 Technology Focus

DPS 2017 Tracks

DPS 2017 covered the following technology tracks:

· Data Science (including Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence)

· Business Intelligence & Analytics

· Cloud, IoT & NoSQL

· Big Data & VLDBs

· Database Administration

· Database Development

Technology Coverage

DPS 2017 covered many innovations, technologies & subjects from Microsoft Data Stack and a couple of open source technologies.

Pre-Conference Seminars Topics

· Azure Infrastructure by Denny Cherry

· Advanced Analytics with R, Microsoft SQL Server, Power BI, and Azure Machine Learning by Chris Testa O’Neil

· Zero to Microsoft Power BI by Peter Myers

· Plan-first Querying – Writing Queries to Suit the Optimizer by Rob Farley

· Building a Database DevOps Process by Steve Jones

· Analysis of Your SQL Server Like a PRO by Uwe Ricken

· In-Memory Technologies in SQL Server – From 0 to Operational Analytics Master by Andreas Wolter

· Data Modeling and Data Visualization by Sivakumar Harinath

Learning @ DPS 2017

· Breakout Sessions: DPS 2017 predominantly had breakout sessions spread across the 3-days of the summit.

· Open-Talks: A concept adopted during last year’s summit, in Open-Talks, delegates are encouraged to talk openly about their project with the experts, with the objective to get instant solutions/knowledge on how to solve it. Open-talks are typically 30 minutes free-flowing discussion on a specific topic. No laptops, no PPTs, no demos – only discussion and Q & A. Topics are pre-decided. The objective is to make the sessions at the Summit, more interactive & result-oriented.

· Chalk-Talks: The concept of Chalk-Talk was introduced during SSGAS 2016. Needless to say, it became an instant hit with the audience. In this learning format, data experts write/draw/illustrate the knowledge that they intend to share, rather than follow pre-designed slides. Like Open-Talks, Chalk-Talks are 30-minute sessions focusing on conceptual & architectural understanding, that too with only a whiteboard and a marker.

· Hands-On-Labs: The objective of introducing HOLs was to make sure that delegates could also practically learn hundreds of topics in SQL Server & other MS data technologies during the 3-day summit. This learning delivery format was powered using SQLMaestros hand on labs.

· Group Discussions: At DPS 2017, the concept of group discussion was introduced so that delegates can learn by discussing with Microsoft & other experts and with delegates from other companies/verticals.

· Ask-The-Experts: DPS 2017 also gave the delegates an opportunity to ask open-ended questions to a panel of experts from Microsoft, MCM & MVP community. Delegates came in group to discuss their project issues with Microsoft & other experts.

· Scheduled Interactions: DPS 2017 also offered its delegates a dedicated time to spend with some select speakers in a way never seen before.

Breakout Session @ DPS 2017

Scheduled Interaction @ DPS 2017

Open-Talk @ DPS 2017

Chalk-Talk @ DPS 2017

Epilogue

Data Platform Summit 2017 was the largest and the only Data Platform Conference in Asia focusing on Microsoft Data Technologies + Open Source – a full 3-day conference with more than 200+ Breakout Sessions, Open-Talks & Chalk-Talks and deep dive pre-con sessions on SQL Server, BI & Analytics, Cloud, Big Data & related technologies. This was a unique conference comprising of multiple tracks on Database Administration, Database Development, Business Intelligence, Cloud & Big Data. There was a special focus on Machine Learning & AI. The sessions scale out on knowledge level from 200 through 500 from data experts around the globe. The conference was for the Data/Analytics community to learn new skills and technologies and enhance existing skills. The conference also hosted MCMs, MVPs and Microsoft experts. Hundreds of attendees had the unique opportunity to network with their peers/colleagues, Microsoft experts, global speakers and with Sponsors and Exhibitors.

80+ speakers from across the globe were the stalwarts at Data Platform Summit 2017. SQL Product Team members from Microsoft Corp, Redmond (USA) flew down to Bangalore to deliver advanced sessions on latest technologies. Apart from Program Managers & Data Architects, the conference also witnessed full participation from SQL CAT & TIGER team of Microsoft (Redmond). Speakers travelled from 16+ nations. It was the first time, India witnessed a unique gathering of 10 Microsoft Certified Masters under one roof for three full days.

Hon. IT Minister, Shri Priyank Kharge along with Amit Bansal (DPS Chairperson) & Manohar Punna (DPG President)

Annexure – 1: Delegate Profiles @ DPS 2017

Advance Database Administrator

Analyst IT

Analytics Manager

Analytics Product Manager

Android Developer

App architect - DB

Application Development Team Lead

Application Engineer

Apps Programmer Analyst

Architect

Architect - Cloud Services

Assistant Consultant

Assistant Manager

Assistant Manager - Analytics

Assistant Vice President

Associate Consultant

Associate database engineer

Associate Dev manager

Associate Director

Associate Director Technology

Associate General Manager

Associate Manager

Associate Manager Databases

Associate Product Manager

Associate Tech lead

Associate Technical Architect

Associate Technical Lead

Associate Vice President

Associative Software Engineer

BI Architect

BI Consultant

Bigdata Developer

Business Analyst

Business Intelligence Developer

CEO

Chief Architect

Chief Data Scientist

Chief Manager IT

CIO

Cloud Platforms CoE Manager

CLOUD SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT

Co-Founder

Consultant

Consultant – Advanced Analytics

Consulting Engineer

CTO

Data Analytics Architect

Data Platform Architect

Data Scientist

Database Administrator

DATABASE ARCH.

Database Architect

Database Consultant

DATABASE DEVELOPER

Database Lead

Database Specialist

Database Supervisor

DB Administrator

DB Architect

DBA

DBA Manager

DBA Team Leader

Delivery Exec

Delivery Manager

Department Head

Deputy General Manager

Deputy General Manager - IT

DEPUTY MANAGER

Deputy Manager - IT

Deputy Sr Manager

Dev Manager

Developer

Director

Director - Technology

Director- IT Leadership

Director, Data and Business Intelligence

DWH Developer(Lead)

Engineer

Engineering Manager

Enterprise Architect

ETL Developer

Executive Director

Expert Database Administrator

Expert Quality Engineer

Expert Software Engineer

Global Head - Microsoft Cloud Business

GM - Corporate Strategy & Business Controls (IT)

Head - Business Analytics

Head- India Sales

Head of Operations

ICT Database & Backup Support

Implementation Specialist

IND IT Support Specialist II

India IT Tech Ops Lead

India Head for QA

IT Analyst

IT CONSULTANT

IT Director

IT Engineer

IT Manager

Junior Programmer Analyst

Lead - Database

Lead - People Operations

Lead Analyst

Lead Application Administrator

Lead BI

Lead BI developer

Lead Data Architect

Lead Database Administrator

Lead database developer

lead database engineer

Lead Engineer

Lead Software Developer

Lead Software Engineer

Lead SW Engineer

Management Trainee

Manager

Manager - Analytics and Information Management Services

Manager - Data Design & Build

Manager - Database

Manager - Information Platforms

Manager - IT

Manager - Reporting

Manager - System Administration

Manager Compliance

Manager- IT infrastructure operations

Manager IV

Manager Software Development

Manager, IT Applications

Manager, Software Engineering

Manager-7B

Manager-Technology

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Module Lead

MSBI Lead

PA/SSE

PMTS

Practice Director

Practice Head

Practice Head - HSC (HPC/ Big-data)

Principal Consultant

Principal Data Engineer

Principal Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

PRINCIPAL SWE MANAGER

Principle Application Engineer

Principle Consultant

Principle Software Engineer

Program Manager

PROGRAM MANAGER 2

Program/ Delivery Manager

Project Lead

Project Leader

Project Manager

QA LEAD

Sales Head

SDE2

Senior Developer - SQL

Senior Analyst

SENIOR ANALYST DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR

Senior Application Engineer

Senior Architect

Senior Associate

Senior Associate-Technology

Senior Cloud Database Engineer

Senior Consultant

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Database Administrator

Senior Database Developer

SENIOR DATABASE ENGINEER

Senior Database specialist

Senior Database Administrator

Senior DBA

Senior Development Engineer

Senior Development Manager

Senior Director

Senior Engineer

Senior Engineer Software

Senior ERP Analyst

Senior Executive - IT

Senior Lead Architect

Senior lead database engineer

Senior Lead Software Engineer

Senior Manager

Senior Manager - IT Business Partner

Senior Manager - Software & Product Development

Senior Manager IT

Senior OR Analyst

Senior PM Lead

Senior Principal Architect

Senior Program Manager

Senior Program manager - L5

Senior Project Manager

Senior Software Architect

Senior Software Developer

Senior Software Engineer

Senior SQA

Senior SQL developer

Senior sql developer/DBA

Senior Staff Software Engineer

Senior Tech Project Manager

Senior Technical Consultant

Senior Technical Lead

Senior Technology Manager

Senior VP

senior Consultant

Server Manager

Server Systems

Service Engineer

SERVICE ENGINEER 2

Services Integration Leader

Snr Finance Systems Specialist

Snr Manager

Software Architect

Software Developer

Software Engineer

Software Engineer - Customization

Software Engineer 2

Software Test Engineer

Software Test Engineer - Data Platforms

Solution Architect

Specialist

SQL DBA

SQL Lead

Sr Architect

Sr Associate

Sr Bigdata Developer

Sr Consultant

Sr data engineer

Sr Database Engineer

Sr DBA

Sr DBA Lead

Sr Developer

Sr Digital Advisor

Sr Director

Sr Manager-Technology

Sr Software Engineer

Sr Staff software engineer

Sr Technical Lead

Sr technical member staff 2

Sr Vice President

Sr. Architect

Sr. Associate - Development

Sr. Business Analyst

Sr. Database Engineer

Sr. Engineer- Software

Sr. Program Manager

Sr. Project Manager

SR. SOFTWARE ENGINEERING LEAD

Sr. Solution Architect

Sr. SQL DBA

Sr. SQL Developer

Sr. Systems Engineer

Sr. Tech Lead

Sr. Technology Architect

Sr. VICE PRESIDENT

Sr.Data Platform Consultant

Sr.Database Administrator

Sr.Manager DBA

Staff Consultant

Staff software engineer

System Architect

System Engineer

Team Lead

Team Lead Databases

Team Lead, IT Applications

Team Leader

Tech Lead

Technical Manager

Technical Architect

Technical consultant

Technical Director

Technical Lead

Technical Lead - I

Technical Project Manager - DBA

Technical Specialist

Technology Architect

Technology Manager

Technology Specialist

Test Engineering Analyst

Trainee Database Administrator

Vice President

Vice President - Technical

VP- Production Support