Microsoft SQL Server Overview (Features Pricing, Pros and Cons)

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Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a powerful, secure, and highly reliable database solution from Microsoft. It enables businesses to store and efficiently manage large amounts of data.

It also provides advanced features such as analytics, reporting, and integration with other applications. 

This blog post will clearly explain about work of the Microsoft SQL server and its features, pros, and cons.

More about Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft announced that SQL Server 2022 would become available on November 16, 2022. Customers with SQL on Enterprise Agreement (EA), Enterprise Agreement Subscription (EAS), and Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE) programs can download it then.

Customers who do not participate in these arrangements can purchase licensing with SA from January 1, 2023, onwards; those without may buy the new version simultaneously.

With its scalability, reliability, and easy-to-use interface, Microsoft SQL Server can help organizations take their data management to the next level. In addition, it helps organizations reduce costs by providing high performance at a fraction of the cost. 

Webpage of Microsoft SQL Server

Features of Microsoft SQL Server

  • Flexible and fast: Work with a flexible data platform that works well on different types of platforms. This will help you get your innovations to market faster. You can build your apps and then deploy them anywhere.
  • AI-generated: Your data will be supported by AI. The Microsoft data platform can help you learn more about your business and customers than ever before. With machine learning, you can make predictions more quickly and improve security.
  • Enterprise has proven: Bring your business to a bigger size while knowing that your security, performance, and availability needs are taken care of—with an industry-leading total cost of ownership.

Some screenshots of Microsoft SQL Server features

Database Of Microsoft SQL Server
Database
Demo view of Microsoft SQL Server
Demo view
Messages of Microsoft SQL Server
Messages

Microsoft SQL Server Pricing and Licensing

SQL server pricing

  • Enterprise: $15123 (License model 2 core pack)
  • Standard per core: $3945 (License model 2 core pack)
    • Standard server: $989
  • Standard CAL: $230

Pay-as-you-go pricing

  • Standard per core: Monthly rate $73
    • Hourly rate: $0.100
  • Enterprise per core: Monthly rate:$274
    • Hourly rate: $0.375

Subscriptions and add-ones

  • SQL Server Enterprise: $5434(Licensing model 2 core pack)
  • SQL Server Standard: $1418(Licensing model 2 core pack)
Pricing of Microsoft SQL Server

Capabilities

  • Business continuity with Microsoft Azure disaster recovery feature
  • Analytics over on-premise operational data using Spark and SQL 
  • Manage and visibility over the entire data
  • Complete security of data
  • Industry-leading performance and multi-write environment
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing

Architecture

SQL Server can communicate externally using a format called Tabular Data Stream (TDS). TDS was created by Sybase Inc. in 1984, but Microsoft has since adopted it. 

TDS can be transported using TCP/IP connections, named pipes, or shared memory settings. This makes it easier to access SQL Server than ever before! In addition, SQL Server also has web services that allow external control over its API. 

With all these features, it’s no wonder SQL Server is still one of the best options after nearly four decades of operation.

SQL Server BI

SQL Server Business Intelligence takes your organization’s data and turns it into an engine for change. SQL BI platform is a new insight with a comprehensive, industry-leading tool that will help to transform raw information into actionable solutions – helping you stay ahead in today’s competitive world.

How is SQL server BI special?

  • It creates Create ingenious data models that enable effortless comprehension and analysis.
  • It creates stunning Power BI visuals and insights wherever and whenever needed.
  • The modern web portal provides a single destination for interactive reports, KPIs, & paginated documents accessible from any device.
  • Enable the hybrid BI, directly connecting to on-premise data from the cloud.
  • Unlock unprecedented potential with the power of scalability, secure data access, and trusted tools that become a part of your story.

Pros and Cons of Microsoft SQL Server

Pros

  • It offers many editions to choose
  • On-premise and cloud-based support
  • It offers many useful tools like database design, troubleshooting, Maintenance, and development.
  • Runs on Linux 

Cons

  • Licensing is a bit complicated and expensive
  • Pricing is expensive and high-cost Maintenance
  • Synchronization between primary and secondary databases needs improvement
  • Search and filter functionality needs improvement
  • Restricted compatibility
  • Need investment for a higher version
  • This server needs advanced technologies to run

FAQs

Why is the Microsoft SQL server used?

Microsoft SQL Server is a type of software that stores and retrieves data. It can work on the same or on a different computer connected to it using the Internet. Microsoft also has special tools for using SQL Server over the Internet.

Conclusion

It has various features and capabilities that make it perfect for handling data storage requirements in an organization or business.

In addition, it has been specifically designed to enable organizations to quickly gather and access the data they need to develop essential business insights. 

With its advanced Microsoft Server BI tools, businesses can create predictive models, gain deep insights into customer behaviors and trends, and identify potential opportunities or challenges within their industry.

Microsoft SQL Server remains a great choice for managing data – whether you’re looking for an enterprise-level solution or something on a smaller scale.