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Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server

Overview

What is Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database.

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Awards

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Pricing

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Subscription

$1,418.00

Cloud
Per License

Enterprise

$13,748.00

Cloud
Per License

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Demos

An Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server's Statistics

YouTube

Introduction to Transact SQL (T-SQL) using Microsoft SQL Server

YouTube
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Product Details

What is Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server Video

Microsoft SQL Server Technical Details

Deployment TypesSoftware as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database.

Reviewers rate Implementation Rating highest, with a score of 9.

The most common users of Microsoft SQL Server are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews From Top Reviewers

(1-5 of 65)

Business level data storage and reporting

Rating: 9 out of 10
March 28, 2017
Vetted Review
Verified User
Microsoft SQL Server
5 years of experience
We use Microsoft SQL server as a base platform for our enterprise resource program. Not only is it the data warehouse but it also serves as the SSRS report server so we can use SQL views and stored procedures to create SSRS reports more effectively based on the user needs. The tools in SQL Server allow for all maintenance to be scheduled, simplifying maintenance.
  • Backing up databases both full and differential as well as transaction logs so data recovery is simple.
  • Database cleanup and maintenance tools that can be scheduled to keep the database running at optimal performance.
  • The performance monitor allows you to track query performance so you can maintain the best user experience and tune the server for optimal usage.
Cons
  • A better way to remotely connect to the database to maintain and review current transactions is needed.
  • SSRS report designer needs better tools to build the reports you need. Too many workarounds due to limitations in SSRS.
  • Logs need to be less cryptic and more meaningful at times so that diagnosing problems can be done quicker.
Storing data in tables SQL does well for major programs where data integrity is needed. It's less appropriate when using the data storage in a smaller format that you are only accessing thru Excel or Access.

Using Windows? - Go SQL

Rating: 8 out of 10
June 27, 2017
RM
Vetted Review
Verified User
Microsoft SQL Server
15 years of experience
SQL Server underpins all our line of business applications and is the database of choice for our case management application. It is used firm-wide from our helpdesk, through to the finance and HR teams. It is used to log support calls, time record and bill our customers.
  • SSMS provides useful tools such as the database tuning advisor - providing recommendations for missing indexes.
  • SSMS provides useful tools such as the SQL Profiler - Providing in-depth trace files of queries currently executing in your database.
  • SSMS provides useful tools such as the Activity Monitor allowing you to find expensive queries, resource waits, processes, and I/O.
Cons
  • Would prefer more built in queries for DB optimization rather than having to find scripts on the internet.
If you are looking for a relational database management system that scales and provides multi-transactional support then look no further. It gives you ETL through integrations services, reporting through reporting services and cubes through analysis services. The administrative tools beat any other RDBMS available (Oracle for example); it is also much cheaper.

Microsoft SQL server - WHY

Rating: 10 out of 10
June 04, 2016
AK
Vetted Review
Verified User
Microsoft SQL Server
5 years of experience
Microsoft SQL server is the backbone of our organization and is used by the whole organization. Our application uses Microsoft SQL server as a backend. We do a lot with SQL server like storing the actual data, replicating the production database, SQL jobs to create a reports database, SQL server reporting services etc. We do have multiple servers for multiple different databases and we user the server objects/linked servers to access data across all the servers. I think it addresses almost all aspects of our business at this point.
  • Data accessing via Excel or Access is very easy.
  • Reporting services are a really good example to present and analyze the data to management.
  • We do have an analytics team which does a lot of data modeling and also uses lots of integration services.
Cons
  • Definitely room for improvement in SQL server reporting services.
  • Missing the functionality to purge/archive/delete the reports from the server. We have to do it one at a time.
I think for any application it really works well. It has lots of features which could help with business requirements. It can easily import the data from different data sources and also can export the data in the required format. It is really good in OLTP transactions too. We will have to use it well to make it more efficient. For ex: if you don't have proper indexing, it might take time to retrieve the data you wanted or you might run into time out situations.

SQL Server for quick and easy wins

Rating: 8 out of 10
June 06, 2016
VM
Vetted Review
Verified User
Microsoft SQL Server
10 years of experience
Microsoft SQL Server is being used extensively in my organization. It is the default database for SharePoint sites and also the default choice for custom database applications. SQL Server Database is very commonly used in the IT department since it is well suited with the Microsoft umbrella of products. Other departments also use SQL Server for self-served Microsoft Business Intelligence reports and SharePoint. Analytics is one of the main business problems that SQL Server handles efficiently and effectively. SQL Server Reporting Services, PowerPivot, Power BI, SharePoint rely heavily on SQL Server engine and database in the back-end.
  • SQL Server handles a relational database very well. The fundamental logic for Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) hasn't changed much for a long time, so there is no learning curve if you upgrade from older versions to new ones.
  • One of the strong advantages of using SQL Server is its better compatibility with Microsoft product suites. Choosing Microsoft SQL server is the first choice if your organization relies on other Microsoft products.
  • It is very stable, fast, affordable, and extremely popular. There is an easy learning curve to acquire SQL Server skills. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio is very graphical and requires very little programming to achieve basic tasks.
Cons
  • SQL Server is only operable on the Windows platform. It should support the Unix platform too.
  • There are a few object types missing in SQL Server, e.g. no packages (collection of procedures and functions), no "before" event triggers.
  • SQL Server doesn't support partitioning.
I prefer SQL Server for SharePoint applications. There are SSIS data sources, destinations that can be used to sync data between SharePoint lists and SQL Server tables. SQL Server is a good choice if you are looking for a solution with quicker time to market. It is simple to use and administer. However, I would prefer something else (like Oracle) for enterprise solutions.

SQL Server Just Works

Rating: 10 out of 10
January 06, 2016
GF
Vetted Review
Verified User
Microsoft SQL Server
22 years of experience
SQL Server is our relational and structured storage tool of choice. We use it to manage multiple resources within the organization from sales data to telemetry data on the software that we create to reporting and managing data for multiple departments. We also develop software in support of SQL Server that helps manage, maintain, develop and deploy SQL Server. SQL Server is a fundamental part of our business.
  • SQL Server is first a relational management engine. It stores and manages relational data extremely well.
  • SQL Server is highly scalable. With correctly designed databases and well-tuned queries, we're able to store and retrieve data at almost any scale.
  • SQL Server is highly ubiquitous. Almost every development tool and language can be used to build software with it. Almost any reporting tool can be used to retrieve information from it.
Cons
  • Deployments of changes to existing databases can be challenging. Better support within the tool for language constructs in assistance of deployments would be helpful.
  • Development processes such as using source control to build your databases is not a native part of the tool set.
  • Query tuning is difficult for those who don't have specialized knowledge.
It's all about relational storage. There it shines and will do exactly what you need. For non-relational storage you may be better off with another tool such as DocumentDB. The ability to set up hybrid environments within SQL Server using local machines, virtual machines on services such as Azure or Amazon Web Services, and platform as a service offerings such as Azure SQL Database or Azure SQL Data Warehouse, all of which are the same SQL Server engine, makes for a very complete experience.
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