Azure SQL Data Warehouse Becomes Synapse Analytics

• Azure SQL Data Warehouse has been renamed Azure Synapse Analytics.
• The service will provide an end-to-end service for data and analysis, reducing the need to integrate with other services.
• Preview features include new deployment options and performance enhancements.

Azure SQL Data Warehouse was renamed Azure Synapse Analytics in Nov. 2019. It keeps existing SQL Server–based data warehousing features and previews new analytical tools, scaling and performance options, and data integration features to deliver a self-contained platform for data storage and analytics that could improve security and management.

Service Overview

Synapse Analytics, like SQL Data Warehouse before it, is based on SQL Server and provides petabyte-level data storage and high-speed query for data warehouses. It includes the common database management features and APIs offered with the SQL Server software and can be used as an alternative to traditional on-premises data warehouse deployments. The service provides high-availability and replication features, designed for globally distributed data sharing. Synapse Analytics separates pricing for storage and compute resources, allowing customers to maintain persistent storage in Azure and only pay for query compute resources when used.