Item: Azure SQL Database
Rating: 8
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Azure SQL Database

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We write custom software applications for small businesses. Many applications we maintain are written for on-premises databases. When clients need to make their applications distributed and accessible anywhere, we offer conversion of the app to use Azure SQL as a low-cost alternative to a complete rewrite. The path to migrating to Azure SQL is often straightforward and doesn't require significant testing or app rework.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Automated backups and simple restore options.
Active Directory integration and firewall rules by IP address handle many security issues.
Able to use SSMS to maintain it in most of the same ways as an on-premises SQL database.
Very inexpensive low-utilization plans with easy scaling when needed.
Easy to integrate with Excel for reporting and data analysis.

Cons

Would like more tools for bulk loading large data sets.
Billing that's easier to understand with pricier plans.
Ability to restore a database backup from online storage on top of an existing Azure SQL database to replace it.

Return on Investment

We are able to offer more scalability to our clients.
Our clients can have remote workforces using applications that were previously on-premises.
Application and data updates are much easier to deploy.

Usability

Most operations I can perform in SSMS with an on-premises database, I can also perform with an Azure SQL database. To begin offering it to my clients, I didn't need to learn a ton of new concepts. The admin portal is easy enough to navigate, too.

Alternatives Considered

AWS Database Migration Service, Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS), Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access and Oracle Database

I selected Azure SQL because it integrates nicely with the technology stacks we currently maintain. The pricing is right, and clients are happy with that. Scaling is easy. Most of our clients don't want to maintain a full-blown database server, and they don't need one. For them, Azure SQL is the right size.

Key Insights

Do you think Azure SQL Database delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Azure SQL Database's feature set?

Yes

Did Azure SQL Database live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Azure SQL Database go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Azure SQL Database again?

Yes

Other Software Used

QNAP NAS, Fujitsu ScanSnap, ChatGPT, Google Calendar, Google Sheets, WordPress, Wix, PaperCut, PDFsam, AnyDesk, IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2

Likelihood to Recommend

We have found it's a great alternative for making older legacy applications work with online databases instead of only on-premises databases. We've converted over a dozen applications this way, and it has allowed our clients to have a distributed workforce using their applications without incurring the expense of a complete application rewrite.

Azure SQL Database Feature Ratings

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