About
Hey, I’m Andy B, a Senior Data Engineer based in the UK, specialising in SQL Server, data integrations, and modernising on-prem data platforms to Azure.
I focus on getting data where it needs to be: quickly, reliably, and without surprises.
I wrestle with legacy processes and handle awkward edge cases that only appear in real-world systems. That means working across database development, data integrations, and performance to deliver systems that behave consistently under pressure.
Alongside the hands-on work, I also consider the broader data landscape: how individual solutions fit together as a complete data estate, and how early decisions shape performance, reliability, and long-term maintainability.
What I work on
My core areas include:
- Database design and development
- Designing and building robust data integrations
- Data orchestration, automation, and scheduling
- Defining modernisation paths for legacy solutions
- Performance tuning and optimisation
- Troubleshooting complex or obscure issues
About the blog
This blog is where I share practical lessons from my experience in those areas.
Most posts come from real-world problems – the ones I find interesting, enlightening, or slightly unusual. The focus is on what works, why it works, and where it can go wrong.
I’ve been publishing practical data platform content weekly since 2022, building a growing library of posts covering SQL Server, SSIS, and Azure-based tooling. The aim is to share useful, real-world approaches that others can apply.
Outside of work
I’m based in the UK, so expect the occasional dry humour – along with a mix of gaming, country music, and a potentially unhealthy relationship with pizza 🍕
Andy Brownsword 