SQL Server

Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap

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SQL Server Roadmap Posts

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Server Application Version Support This chart displays server application compatibility with Windows Server and SQL Server versions under Mainstream... more

Compute, Networking, and Infrastructure Roadmap

Business Applications Roadmap

SQL Server Roadmap SQL Server is a server-based product that provides database management, integration, reporting, semantic models, and... more

Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap

Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap – Overall Trends This section discusses high-level trends that Directions sees in the areas of Database, Analytics, AI, and... more

Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap

Comparing Database, Analytics, and AI Offerings Microsoft’s database, analytics, and AI landscape includes on-premises products and Microsoft cloud-based services that are part... more

Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap

SQL Server Reporting Services Roadmap SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a role in SQL Server, Microsoft’s long-standing on-premises database... more

Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap

SQL Server Analysis Services Roadmap SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is a role in SQL Server, Microsoft’s long-standing on-premises database... more

Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap

SQL Server Integration Services Roadmap SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a role in SQL Server, Microsoft’s long-standing on-premises database management... more

Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap

Database Technologies Roadmap for Microsoft's on-premises database management, data integration, reporting, analysis, and machine learning products.

Compute, Networking, and Infrastructure Roadmap

SQL Server Analyst Reports

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New! SQL Server 2025 Adds Natural Language Search the Right Way June 26, 2025 SQL Server 2025 will include a natural language search capability (called vector search) that can...more SQL Server 2025 Gets Engine and AI Updates Updated: April 11, 2025 SQL Server 2025, in private preview, will bring engine performance improvements, security enhancements, and new...more Migrating SQL Data Warehouse to Fabric: Compatibility Matters Updated: April 6, 2025 Although they share a codebase, SQL Server and Fabric have differences that impact migration. SQL...more SQL Server Management Studio Update Adds Paid Copilot Updated: January 26, 2025 A new version of SQL Server Management Studio brings the most significant updates to the...more Executive Focus: The Mounting Risks of On-Premises Server Software Updated: January 12, 2025 Microsoft’s cloud-first focus reduces the long-term viability of traditional on-premises server software. Organizations using on-premises...more Executive Focus: SQL Server License Consolidation Provides Tangible Benefits Updated: November 1, 2024 SQL Server license consolidation is a low-risk effort that delivers cost, compliance, and administrative...more Database Offerings 2024: Overview and Roadmap Updated: August 12, 2024 Microsoft offers many database products and services, and customers need to narrow the broad field...more Evaluating Your SQL Server 2014 Migration Options Updated: July 26, 2024 Organizations already should have plans to migrate off SQL Server 2014, which reaches the end...more Database Offerings 2024: Understanding SQL-Based Options Updated: July 15, 2024 SQL Server remains Microsoft’s preferred structured database management technology for on-premises and Azure deployments, making...more How Microsoft’s Data Integration and Transformation Offerings Compare Updated: June 24, 2024 Several Microsoft data integration and transformation offerings are available, and they vary in features, maturity,...more SQL Server 2014 Integration Services Migration Options Updated: May 20, 2024 SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is an extract, transform, and load (ETL) platform that can...more SQL Server 2014 BI Migration Options Updated: May 20, 2024 SQL Server provides two business intelligence (BI) roles that can impact the complexity and cost...more SQL Server Migration Tools Updated: May 20, 2024 Microsoft provides free tools that can help find SQL Server 2014 instances in an organization’s...more Discounts for Long-Running Azure SQL Data Workloads Updated: April 23, 2024 Two exclusive purchasing options can be used to reduce costs for all types of long-running...more Comparing SQL Server Options in Azure & On-Premises Updated: April 12, 2024 Azure SQL Server–based cloud offerings provide a viable alternative to most on-premises SQL Server deployments....more Understanding SQL Server Free Failover Rights Updated: March 22, 2024 SQL Server Software Assurance includes rights to deploy multiple secondary SQL Server operating system environments...more

Podcasts

New! SQL Server 2025 to Deliver AI Features and Lots More

June 26, 2025

· Season - 4 · Episode - 11 · Duration - 36m Diving Into the Data: A Directions on Microsoft Brainstorm

August 27, 2024

· Season - 3 · Episode - 14 · Duration - 51m SQL Server 2022’s New Azure-Connected Features

February 13, 2023

· Season - 2 · Episode - 3 · Duration - 19m

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Blog

Updated: January 9, 2025 SQL Server: The Polymath of Databases?

by
Greg DeMichillie

Updated: April 8, 2024 Answer This: How to control costs when licensing Windows Server 2012 ESUs for VMs

by
Mary Jo Foley

Updated: April 8, 2024 CIO Talk: Don’t Forget the IT Fundamentals!

by
Barry Briggs

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