SQL Server and Business Intelligence Platform Overview

Previously code-named Denali, SQL Server 2012 is the next full version of SQL Server and will arrive in the first half of 2012, most likely early in the second quarter. A Nov. 2010 public preview update to Denali was updated again in July 2011. SP1 for SQL Server 2008 R2 was released during July 2011, and SP3 for SQL Server 2008 was released during Oct. 2011. Future SQL Server software versions will probably alternate between minor releases (like 2008 R2, the current version) and major ones (like 2012), with a gap of 18 months to three years between releases.

The Parallel Data Warehouse appliance platform (formerly code-named Project Madison) incorporates technology acquired with Datallegro. It enables organizations to build large data warehouses on an integrated package, including commodity hardware and preinstalled, configured, and tuned software; products based on the platform began to appear from Microsoft’s hardware partners before the end of 2010. (HP was first to deliver a system, which was available to order for delivery in Dec. 2010 with new devices delivered in the first half of 2011 and additional devices becoming available throughout 2011, with the most recent arriving from Dell in Oct. 2011.)