Microsoft SQL Server Trainings

Microsoft SQL Server: the enterprise relational database

Microsoft SQL Server remains one of widely used relational database engines in enterprise datacenters and cloud. From the database engine to business intelligence services (Analysis Services, Integration Services, Reporting Services) and high availability solutions (Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances), SQL Server covers the entire lifecycle of structured data: storage, querying, analysis, restitution, security, backup. With Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server on-premise, Microsoft offers a coherent on-premise/cloud continuum often selected by organisations standardising their data foundation around Microsoft.

In French-speaking Switzerland, Geneva private banks, international organisations, telecom operators, university hospitals, cantonal administrations, pharmaceutical industries and large IT service companies operate SQL Server as the main engine for business applications, ERP, CRM and data warehouses. ITTA offers the official SQL Server catalogue, covering SQL and T-SQL fundamentals, administration, BI, high availability and performance. Our training is delivered by Microsoft-certified DBAs and SQL Server consultants active with Swiss and international clients.

Following a recognised SQL Server training opens access to highly demanded roles: T-SQL developer, database administrator (DBA), data analyst, BI engineer, data architect, SQL Server consultant, Azure Data engineer. SQL Server systematically figures among the databases demanded in French-speaking Switzerland, complementing Oracle, PostgreSQL and MySQL.

Whether you are a beginner discovering SQL, a developer writing robust T-SQL queries, a DBA administering a SQL Server instance, a BI engineer building cubes and SSIS flows, or a data architect preparing a migration to Azure SQL, our Microsoft SQL Server training in Geneva and Lausanne covers the full spectrum.

The ITTA Microsoft SQL Server catalogue

SQL Fundamentals and T-SQL queries

SQL – Fundamentals and Queries is the natural entry for any profile starting with SQL: relational database structure, SELECT, joins, aggregations, sub-queries, functions, views, and first optimisations. SQL Database Training – Introduction is the Microsoft version of the SQL Server introduction, particularly suited to profiles in transition or administrators wishing to understand the DBMS. These courses set the indispensable foundation before approaching advanced T-SQL, administration and BI.

SQL Advanced Queries and T-SQL development

SQL – Advanced Queries deepens T-SQL: window functions, CTE (Common Table Expressions), pivots, hierarchies, JSON and XML in SQL Server, advanced query optimisation, execution plans, indexing, stored procedures, functions and triggers. It is the target for T-SQL developers, data analysts and BI engineers writing performant queries on large volumes. The official Microsoft DP-080 (Query and modify data with Transact-SQL) complements this path on the certification side.

SQL Server administration and high availability

For DBAs, our training covers SQL Server administration: installation, configuration, backup and restore, security management (logins, users, schemas, permissions), monitoring and performance, index and statistics maintenance, SQL Agent jobs. SQL 2016 AlwaysOn High Availability (55246) specifically covers high availability with Always On Availability Groups: architecture, configuration, automatic failover, read-only on secondary replicas, troubleshooting. These courses target DBAs and data architects in critical environments (banking, healthcare, e-commerce).

SQL Server BI: SSAS, SSIS, SSRS and Azure SQL

SQL Server integrates a complete BI suite: Integration Services (SSIS) for ETL flows, Analysis Services (SSAS) for multidimensional cubes and tabular models, Reporting Services (SSRS) for restitution. Our training covers these components in complement to Microsoft Power BI courses, which now take over as the modern visualisation tool. On the cloud side, Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance are the managed variants of SQL Server on Azure, heavily used in cloud-native architectures.

SQL Server and the publisher ecosystem at ITTA

Microsoft SQL Server fits into a broader data ecosystem. The analytics and data management sub-domain regroups our SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL and NoSQL training. The Microsoft Azure publisher is very complementary for Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance and Azure Synapse Analytics. Microsoft Power BI covers modern BI on top of SQL Server. The database design and development sub-domain covers modelling, complementary to SQL Server. Microsoft regroups the entire Microsoft publisher catalogue.

SQL Server trends in 2026

SQL Server continues to evolve in 2026 in a context of modernisation and cloud migration. SQL Server 2022 remains widely used on-premise version, with strong attention on Azure integration (Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server, Azure Synapse Link), security (Always Encrypted with secure enclaves, Ledger), performance (Intelligent Query Processing) and availability. Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server on Azure VMs are the three main options on Azure. On the BI side, SSAS Tabular and Power BI Premium take over from SSAS multidimensional cubes. Our pedagogical content regularly integrates these evolutions to remain aligned with current practices.

Microsoft SQL Server training in Geneva, Lausanne and online

All our SQL Server courses are available on-site in our Geneva and Lausanne centres, as well as in interactive virtual classroom with a Microsoft-certified DBA or SQL Server consultant live. Our sessions are organised in 5-week cycles. Each session includes hands-on labs on SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and Azure Data Studio, sample databases to manipulate, T-SQL queries to write, concrete cases inspired by real data projects (modelling, optimisation, backup, Azure SQL migration). Customised corporate training is also possible at your premises, in Geneva, Lausanne, Vaud and across French-speaking Switzerland, with a programme adapted to your internal stack (SQL Server versions, Azure integrations, BI) and priority business cases.

Why train on SQL Server at ITTA

ITTA offers a training catalogue. Our SQL Server trainers are Microsoft-certified DBAs, T-SQL developers and data consultants (MCSA, MCSE, Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator) active with Swiss and international clients, covering administration, T-SQL development, BI, performance, security and cloud migration. The SQL Server catalogue regroups our courses covering the full path, from SQL fundamentals to advanced DBA skills. Our pedagogical team supports you in choosing the right path, preparing Microsoft Data certifications and identifying funding solutions adapted to your professional situation.

Our pedagogical approach favours learning by doing, with sample databases to explore, T-SQL queries to write from the first hours, execution plans to analyse, backups and restores to perform, and concrete cases inspired by real data projects (modelling, index optimisation, migration to Azure SQL, Always On configuration). Each session combines training time, applied exercises and exchanges with the trainer, allowing each participant to progress at their own pace and leave with skills directly usable in their professional context.

Our training is aimed at varied audiences: beginners discovering SQL, developers writing T-SQL, DBAs administering SQL Server, data analysts leveraging relational databases, BI engineers building flows and cubes, data architects preparing a cloud migration, data teams in internal training. Our pedagogical team adapts the content to the participants’ context.

Featured courses in this catalogue

Here is a selection of reference training courses in this catalogue, accessible directly:

• SQL – Fundamentals and Queries
• SQL – Advanced Queries
• SQL Database Training – Introduction
• Query and modify data with Transact-SQL (DP-080)
• SQL 2016 AlwaysOn High Availability (55246)

FAQ

Which SQL Server course to choose to start?

SQL – Fundamentals and Queries is the natural entry for any profile starting with SQL and SQL Server. The module covers SQL language basics, joins and first optimisations. For profiles already comfortable with SQL and aiming for advanced T-SQL use, SQL – Advanced Queries is the next target. For DBAs, administration and high availability (Always On) are the key modules. Our pedagogical team guides you.

SQL Server on-premise or Azure SQL: which to choose?

Both models coexist. SQL Server on-premise remains very common in banking and public sector. Azure SQL Database (PaaS) is appreciated for new cloud-native applications. Azure SQL Managed Instance offers maximum compatibility with SQL Server while being managed on Azure. Hybrid architectures often use Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server. Our courses cover the three options.

SQL Server and Power BI: how do they articulate?

SQL Server remains the source engine of structured data. Power BI connects to it to build semantic models and interactive reports. For traditional BI (multidimensional cubes), SSAS remains used. For modern BI (tabular models, DAX), Power BI Premium takes over. Our training covers both approaches.

Are your SQL Server courses available for companies?

Yes, the entire Microsoft SQL Server catalogue is available in-house, in Geneva, Lausanne and in virtual classroom, with a programme adapted to your internal stack (SQL Server versions, Azure integrations, Power BI BI, cloud migration) and priority business cases. Our team builds the specifications with you and organises sessions according to your calendar.