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Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

• Seven reasons to upgrade to SQL Server 2012

  Support for early versions of SQL Server has ended. But rather than upgrade to SQL Server 2014, companies are turning to SQL Server 2012. Here is why. Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2012 features: Weighing the benefits, limitations

  This guide explores the popular new features of SQL Server 2012 and offers tips for deciding if it's right for your organization. Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of SQL Server 2012

  Performance and support top the lists of pros for going to SQL Server 2012. But application compatibility and “the unknown” might keep you away for now. Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2012 ‘virtually’ out, Microsoft talks features, licensing

  With SQL Server 2012 released in a “virtual launch” this month, Microsoft data platform specialist Mark Kromer tells us what his favorite features of the new release are. Continue Reading

• Catching up with Master Data Management products

  SQL Server 2008 R2 hosts the Master Data Services feature, which can help businesses standardize sets of data. Microsoft didn’t quite let MDS gestate long enough, though, and it lacks a few crucial qualities. Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of the DACPAC with SQL Server 2008 R2

  Data-tier applications are among SQL Server 2008 R2’s most talked-about new features, though version-one limitations could minimize their impact in the short term.Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 R2 key changes: StreamInsight

  Learn why the new StreamInsight component is on our list of top 10 changes in SQL Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 R2 key changes: Data-tier applications (DAC)

  See why data-tier applications, a facet of Microsoft's new multi-server management features, made our list of the top changes for SQL Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• Ten key changes with SQL Server 2008 R2

  A lot's different in Microsoft's upcoming SQL Server release. Check out our list of the 10 most significant changes.Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 R2 key changes: Multi-server management

  See the new capabilities in SSMS that earned multi-server management a spot on our list of the top changes for SQL Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 R2 key changes: Master Data Services

  A big step forward for Microsoft's collective BI platform, Master Data Services is on our list of top changes for SQL Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 R2 key changes: Parallel Data Warehouse

  Parallel Data Warehouse is one of two new editions of SQL Server. See why PDW made our list of the top changes in SQL Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 R2 key changes: SSMS enhancements for SQL Azure

  Microsoft made some nifty improvements to SQL Server Management Studio for SQL Azure. See where these enhancements fall on our list of the top changes for SQL Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 R2 key changes: Report Builder 3.0

  The latest edition of Microsoft's Report Builder tool has several cool new data visualization capabilities, making it one of our picks for the top changes in SQL Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 R2 key changes: PowerPivot for Excel and SharePoint

  PowerPivot integrates with Excel and SharePoint to create a self-service BI. But that's not all. See why else this tool made our list of the top changes for SQL Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading