Azure’s MySQL Offering Gets a New Lease on Life

• Azure Database for MySQL is receiving new versions and enterprise features that make it more usable for most applications.
• A new release pattern provides predictable long-term support for MySQL but will also impact how customers plan upgrades.
• Microsoft’s renewed investment in Database for MySQL should offer assurance to new and existing adopters.

Azure Database for MySQL is a service that mimics an on-premises deployment and is a solid destination for lift-and-shift migrations. Azure Database for MySQL has a new lease on life, after many customers wondered whether Microsoft would continue supporting the service. Microsoft reached an agreement with Oracle (the owner of MySQL) and upgraded the service with the latest MySQL version 8.4. Azure for MySQL also received key enterprise functionality that was lacking, and it appears that Microsoft now sees a strong future for MySQL and is willing to provide the kind of investment that should give customers confidence in its future.