Allan Hirt has been using SQL Server in various guises from 1992, since interning at Sybase as a student at Brandeis University. Except for the OS/2 version of Microsoft SQL Server, Allan has worked with all versions on Windows since 4.21a. He has also worked with other RDBMS systems over the years including Oracle, Sybase, and Informix, and can relate to non-SQL Server DBAs. He is currently based in the Boston, MA, area and for the past ten years, has traveled all over the world to work with and train his clients. Before forming his own consulting company Megahirtz in 2007, he most recently worked for both Microsoft and Avanade, the consulting venture of both Microsoft and Accenture.

Over the years, he has authored or contributed to publications about SQL Server for Microsoft, SQL Server Magazine, and others including whitepapers, webcasts, training courses, and books. Allan has also presented at many conferences over the years including TechEd and SQL PASS. His most recent book, Pro SQL Server 2008 Failover Clustering, was published by Apress in July, 2009. His most recent whitepaper for Microsoft, Consolidation Using SQL Server 2008, was published in October, 2009. Allan was also named a Cluster MVP by Microsoft in July, 2009.

Outside of the computer world, Allan is an active, gigging (semi-pro) musician and started recording his new jazz album in October, 2009. The album is due out in 2010. He also is the webmaster for jazz saxophonist Bob Mintzer, and has dabbled in music journalism over the years writing for both Bass Player and Keyboard Magazine in the United States, where he published interviews with musicians from bands like Rush, Journey, Styx, and Genesis.