Updated: November 2, 2020 (September 21, 2018)

Discounts for Long-Running Azure SQL Database Workloads

Wes Miller analyzes and writes about Microsoft’s security, identity management, and systems management technologies. Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Wes... more

A newer version of this report, published in Oct. 2020, is available here.

Two Azure-exclusive purchasing options can be used separately or together to reduce costs for all types of long-running Azure SQL Database workloads.
The options may prove particularly interesting when migrating from SQL Server on-premises.
Both options have limitations and restrictions, and upfront planning and a financial commitment are required.

Azure SQL Database is a Microsoft-hosted multitenant relational database service based on SQL Server. Depending on how long and with what regularity an organization expects to run Azure SQL Database, there are two possible options that can reduce the cost of Azure SQL Database by making purchases ahead of time.

Ideal for Long-Term Workloads

Two purchasing options offer discounts that can potentially reduce the costs for constantly running Azure SQL Database services, if applied for an extended period. Discounts can be applied individually, or they can be combined.

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