Since about 75% of all software developers write applications that make use of databases, managing schema changes in their development, testing, staging and production environments can be overwhelming and very difficult to accomplish.  Until now, the Database Professional has been left out the development life cycle. 

A new tool from Microsoft (Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals, or better known as "Data Dude") will enable the people who develop the application databases to become a full fledge member of the software development team... Yay! 

With this tool, we advocate that there should be one version of the truth for the data and one version of the truth for the schema. VSTEDP manages the one version of the truth for your database schema objects in a disconnected off-line environment, storing them in source control allowing the schema to be versioned and shared with the rest of the team.

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Randy Pagels is a Developer Technology Specialist for the Microsoft Corporation and works in the Heartland District. He provides coverage for MI, OH, and KY and focuses on Visual Studio Team System and Team Foundation Server. Before coming to Microsoft, Randy worked as a developer for 16 years in a large company in Southeastern Michigan. He is experienced in SQL Server technologies and ASP.NET object oriented design and programming. He has also architected and developed many client, web applications, and e-commerce systems, including an award winning fleet maintenance tracking system using the Agile SDLC methodology.  A long-standing active member in the .Net community, Randy continues to promote Visual Studio, SQL Server, and Team System as the preferred choice for software development teams when talking about Application Lifecycle Management tools.