It’s time to give your data the care it deserves

On April 12 Microsoft ended extended support for SQL Server 2005. That means security updates and hotfixes will no longer be available from Microsoft. And unsupported software means increasing vulnerability to data issues and exposing other devices and associated applications to these same vulnerabilities.

What’s new?

A lot has changed since the launch of SQL Server 2005. Back then, the common practice was to deploy software on-premises on physical hardware. End of story.

Today, you have a number of on-prem and cloud options, including SQL Server 2012, SQL Server 2014, and Azure SQL Database.

On-premises: SQL Server 2012 and SQL Server 2014 are designed for a wide range of database applications, from standalone systems to enterprise data warehouses. The license includes downgrade rights, which allows the organization to purchase the current version but deploy a previous version.

In the cloud: Delivered as a service, Microsoft Azure provides hosted virtual machines (VMs) running SQL Server. The service is primarily designed for organizations that are migrating databases to a hosted service, or that are looking for a cost-effective solution for testing database migrations and upgrades.

While migration may be a challenge, doing nothing is no longer an option. Zones solution architects and software specialists can help you understand the consequences of SQL Server 2005 end-of-support, as well as the many advantages your organization stands to gain by migrating to a modern data platform, including:

• Enhanced performance: SQL Server 2014 runs up to 13 times faster than SQL Server 2005.
• Breakthrough in-memory performance: Proven 13 times higher performance for traditional OLTP since SQL Server 2005, plus additional in-memory OLTP delivering up to 30 times more performance.
• High availability: SQL Server AlwaysOn provides greater control for enhanced availability and disaster recovery.
• Security: Rated least vulnerable six years in a row in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Comprehensive Vulnerability Database.
• Scalability: Scalable across compute, networking, and storage with Windows Server 2012 R2 and up to 640 logical processors; virtualization and live migration support.
• Support: Support includes security patching and maintenance updates, and eliminates the expense of custom support agreements.

Time to make your move

For many databases, the most important consideration in selecting an SQL Server version will likely be the associated application that relies on the database.

To make the best long-term decision, Zones software solution experts can help you evaluate database and application requirements against newer SQL Server features and hardware virtualization capabilities.

As part of the planning process, Zones takes into account the many components of SQL Server – services, disaster recovery, management tools, and dependent applications – that can create risks and complicate migration.

Zones’ award-winning Microsoft software team will also be on hand to evaluate changes in features and licensing in the available versions, and then recommend various upgrade paths. And let’s not forget the economics. According to a Forrester Consulting study, you can expect to recoup your investment in as little as nine-and-a-half months.

When you’re considering the many benefits of an upgrade to Microsoft SQL Server, get advice from the experts. Zones can help move your migration efforts in the right direction.

 >>Learn More

This article is excerpted from the Summer edition of Solutions by Zones. View the online edition.