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R20/Consultancy is the independent consulting and education company founded by
Rick F. van der Lans in 1987. With decades of experience at the forefront of data innovation, R20/Consultancy specializes in helping organizations design, modernize, and optimize their data architectures and infrastructures. Our services encompass both strategic and technical consulting in key areas such as data virtualization and integration, modern data architectures (including data lakes, data meshes, and data fabrics), business intelligence strategy, and data warehouse modernization. The consultancy is known for being independent and vendor-neutral.

Rick van der Lans is a renowned independent analyst, consultant, author, and internationally recognized speaker with deep expertise in data architecture, data warehousing, business intelligence, big data, data virtualization, and database technologies. He is widely respected for his ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies. In 2018, Onalytica ranked him as the sixth most influential BI analyst worldwide, highlighting his impact on the global data and analytics community.


Rick van der Lans is the author of several influential books in the field of computing, many of which have been translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide. His groundbreaking book, Introduction to SQL, was one of the first on the subject, and has been published in English, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, and German, with over 100,000 copies sold. Building on his deep expertise in data technologies, Rick has also published two acclaimed books on data virtualization: 'Data Virtualization for Business Intelligence Systems' and 'Data Virtualization: Selected Writings'. These books have become essential reading for professionals and organizations looking to modernize their data architecture. Books by Rick van der Lans include:

  • Data Virtualization: Selected Writings
  • Data Virtualization for Business Intelligence Systems
  • Introduction to SQL (has sold over 100,000 copies and has been translated in many languages)
  • SQL for MySQL Developers
  • The SQL Guide to SQLite
  • The SQL Guide to Ingres
  • The SQL Guide to Pervasive PSQL


Articles and Blogs: Throughout his career, Rick van der Lans has authored hundreds of insightful articles and blog posts for a wide range of newspapers, magazines, and industry-leading websites. His writing covers both technical and strategic topics, offering valuable perspectives to professionals across the data and analytics landscape. In addition to his editorial contributions, he has written numerous educational and thought-provoking white papers for a diverse array of technology vendors. These papers are widely appreciated for their ability to translate complex technical concepts into accessible, actionable insights for decision-makers, practitioners, and IT leaders alike.


Seminars and Events: Over the course of his career, Rick van der Lans has delivered a wide array of high-impact seminars, webinars, and keynote presentations at many of the world's most respected industry conferences. His dynamic and insightful speaking style, combined with deep subject-matter expertise, has made him a sought-after voice in the fields of data management, business intelligence, and analytics. His speaking engagements span the globe, attracting audiences ranging from data practitioners and IT professionals to business executives and strategic decision-makers. Whether in-person or online, his presentations consistently receive high praise for their clarity, depth, and practical relevance. He conducts seminars, keynotes, and inhouse sessions on the following topics:

  • Modern data architectures
  • Big data and analytics
  • Data virtualization
  • The logical data warehouse
  • Data warehousing and business intelligence


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