Item: Microsoft SQL Server
Rating: 10
Author: Luca Campanelli

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use SQL Server for 7 years.

I currently work in the Database Administrators department, we mainly use SQL every day. We use SQL for various needs, some examples: the management of corporate databases, for ETL processes (extract, transform, load) for data warehousing, data historicizing, reporting, OLAP cubes, dashboards, maintenance plans, monitoring and alert, the management of integration services packages and more.

Pros and Cons

Management of very large volumes of data such as bulk loading
Is one of the best (if not the best) relational database
It brings you great ETL tools and data warehousing such as SSIS and SSAS
Data indexing

The management of VLDB (Very Large Databases) requires a lot of maintenance and preventive work to avoid falling into uncomfortable issues.
The introduction of In-Memory (sql 2014) has opened up new prospects but still has many limitations (data types, functions and various restrictions)
Table partitioning is as useful as awkward to handle.

Return on Investment

Data always accessible and available
data history and previous analyzes (even many years back)
development and maintenance of the data warehouse directly in-house

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Access, PostgreSQL and Oracle Database

I started working with databases many years ago with Access, which allows you to create relational database and provide an old-fashioned desktop interface. I had a look at Oracle but I never had the opportunity to get to the bottom (also because of the budget that had the company where I worked at the time). SQL is an enterprise solution that allows professional management of DBs and DWHs in maximum safety and allows it to be applied in countless situations.

Other Software Used

SAP Business Objects, Microsoft Project, SQL Diagnostic Manager

Likelihood to Recommend

SQL Server is suitable for any company, anyone who has the need to keep and maintain sensitive data, can safely rely on SQL (available in different versions depending on your budget and needs).

Is less appropriate, however, if you want to handle a small amount of data, or if you use want to cache data (for sites) or data that don't need to be static and maintained for a long time, in these cases you can take into account of commonly said DB No-Sql.

Users and Roles

50 - It is not easy to determine how many resources actually uses sql server, this because the use of sql server is of various kinds, from those who simply makes queries via the sql management studio, who uses the various business reports or dashboards, users of the sites, up to our DBAs department that directly manages the databases and data warehouses.

Support Headcount Required

4 - To use SQL Server are required detailed knowledge of relational databases, data warehousing concepts, notions and management of ETL (if you intend to use a corporate data warehouse), maintenance of databases, data management, data quality, high reliability of the data, indexing, queries optimization, management of a large amount of data and more.

Business Processes Supported

Data management
Reporting and Dashboard
ETL
High Availability
Datawarehouse

Innovative Uses

transactions management
Datawarehousing
OLAP

Future Planned Uses

IN-memory OLTP

Likelihood to Renew

I think it is unlikely that sql server has disappointed someone, it is likely that someone will come initially discouraged if the needs and problems that occur are very challenging, but definitely have a SQL oriented system means having a solid base to work and on which maintain the their data securely.

Products Replaced

Key Differentiators

Product Features
Product Usability
Prior Experience with the Product
Analyst Reports

I personally have not taken the decision to use SQL Server, but the reason why I specialized in SQL systems is because I think it definitely one of the best RDBMS in circulation, the support is great as well as his strength and for his great effectiveness, is chosen to secure by many companies to these factors and results.

Evaluation Lessons Learned

If I had to choose whether to use an RDBMS the first question that I would do it if I really need a SQL db oriented or if I could draw benefit from a no-sql db, if my need is to have an RDBMS, the only choice that I should make is between Oracle and SQL, due to my experience in SQL would repeat this choice, if I'll have the opportunity to deepen Oracle will also evaluate this hypothesis (prices permitting) .

Implementation Rating

As mentioned before, the implementation of SQL Server in a company that is beginning to use a new structure, which does not require any type of data migration, do not requires particular comment to make.

If you must to do a porting of databases from a different platform, definitely you need to consider the situation in detail depending on your needs.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Implementation Phases

Change Management Lessons

Change management was minimal -

Has no organizational change management needed.

However, if you are thinking of definitely migrate your data structure on sql server, you have to do several observations , you need to plan in detail every single operation, each database step by step and evaluate all the compatibility between your structure and the version of SQL on which you will migrate. This definitely requires a lot of time and tests.

Implementation Issues

No issues

Support Rating

In my previous work experience I happened to have asked for assistance to the Microsoft support, they are very professional and the service is immediate, if necessary they can intervene remotely or onsite.

Alternatively you can of course refer to the microsoft guides, the forums and of course the now famous msdn.

Microsoft SQL Server Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Support understands my problem Support cares about my success	None

Premium Support

No - Fortunately we do not need premium or paid support because, fortunately for us, our team is well mixed and every time there is a problem to solve, we trying to reach a solution as soon as possible in the most constructive way possible by sharing the experiences and our know-how.

Bug Resolution

Exceptional Examples of Microsoft SQL Server Support

As I said before, fortunately it has never been necessary to seek assistance from Microsoft support regarding SQL Server, many of the answers you seek are on the MSDN Microsoft, alternatively you can open a ticket with microsoft and in the short term you will have solution to your problem .

Very useful are the Unleashed books (in your sql version) that have all the basics you need to manage sql servers.

Usability

Once you have gained adequate experience to manage autonomously SQL Server sql server usability it is excellent, the fact remains that the SQL Server platform has a variety of very wide use, are so many variables to consider in a sql oriented system. Usability (mean maintainability) becomes more complicated if it is larger the amount of data to manage (with large I mean some TBs for each databases)

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Convenient Feel confident using	Difficult to use Slow to learn

The giant RDBMS by Microsoft

Overall Satisfaction with Microsoft SQL Server