Consultancy

I created this site as a free resource for SQL Server DBAs who are interested in learning more about replication. The contents reflect several years of implementing replication projects along with answering over 5000 Microsoft newsgroup questions.

In many cases you'll find that SQL Server Books-on-Line and the articles and FAQs on this site will be enough to overcome any special difficulties you might have when setting up and maintaining replication. However if you do want to hire a specialist consultant to help out - in London or elsewhere - then please email me at Paul.Ibison@ReplicationAnswers.Com.

I've listed a few of the companies below who have previously hired me as a replication specialist.

Royal Bank of Scotland (GBM)	UK Investment bank. Migration of global merge setup for PayPal and EBay foreign exchange payment system to new SQL 2008 kit. Apparently one of the biggest implementations in the world of merge (according to MS Support).
	Cindy Simnett, Infrastructure Project Manager: “I worked with Paul on a major project to deliver an upgrade to SQL 2008 on a highly critical system. Paul came in and immediately developed excellent rapport with colleagues. He always went the extra mile by working many long hours and weekends to complete the project deliverables on a tight timeline. Paul solved many difficult and seemingly insurmountable issues. His technical expertise was invaluable to the project and the successful completion would not have been possible without his contributions. I highly recommend Paul as a talented SQL DBA with excellent project, organisational and people skills.”

Alliance Boots	UK pharmaceutical retailer. Migration of production merge replication setup onto another server while minimising the impact on existing systems.
	Alex Meadows, IT Manager: “I employed Paul as a contractor to assist with a complex SQL Server 2000 migration. He joined a small team and assumed the lead role in the migration, which was completed successfully and in half the allocated time. Paul possesses an impressive and comprehensive knowledge of SQL Server, and was critical to the success of the project. He conducts himself in a professional, friendly manner and displayed great flexibility and committment to the team and our goals. I would gladly employ his services again, and have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone in need of an expert DBA.”

Reed Business Information (RBI)	UK business information and magazine publisher. Standardisation of the merge publications for each magazine, general problem-solving and training of production DBAs on replication support.
	Daniel Leon, Product Manager: “It was a great pleasure to work with Paul at RBI. As a contractor, he came into a big project in a high pressure environment and proved that he was a self-sufficient starter with an excellent technical background. He's an excellent Database Developer and I have no qualms in recommending him.”

Petroleum GeoServices (PGS)	Norwegian oil exploration and shipping company. Centralised exploration management system merge replicated (using filters) to a fleet of vessels.
	David Wilce, Application Developer Manager: “We hired Paul at PGS to help is out with SQL Server replication architecture on one of my projects. Our system is a little quirky with survey vessels on the end of very flaky 'dial-up-like' WAN networks. Paul quickly grasped what we required and delivered a [now proven] robust and seemless solution. Technically Paul is extremely knowledgable about SQL Server in general but on SQL replication he excels. I would have no hesitation in recommending Paul as a SQL Server replication expert. The fact he is a thoroughly nice chap to have around is a bonus. A true professional whom I look forward to working with in the future.”