Azure SQL Database Roadmap Update

Updates to Azure SQL Database, a relational database service hosted in Microsoft’s data centers, arrived in the first half of 2015. The updates convert the underlying database engine to SQL Server 2014, improving compatibility and performance and simplifying migration of on-premises database applications to the cloud. Low-level data management features help administrators tune database performance and debug issues as they do with SQL Server on-premises. Future updates are expected to introduce important security features, provide better cost management controls, and address database size restrictions that limit the service’s suitability for some applications.

Azure SQL Database Overview

Azure SQL Database is a multitenant relational database service hosted in Azure. The service offers many of the most common features and APIs of on-premises SQL Server database management systems, including support for the T-SQL query language and popular development tools. Because of the commonalities, organizations can leverage existing developer skills and migrate on-premises applications to the cloud or create hybrid applications that are deployed in both places.