SQL Server 2008 R2 delivers several breakthrough capabilities that will enable your organization to scale database operations with confidence, improve IT and developer efficiency, and enable highly scalable and well managed Business Intelligence on a self-service basis for your users.
more at http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/R2Downloads.aspx
The long awaited build of SQL Server Management Studio with support for SQL Azure is available today for MSDN and TechNet subscribers and will be generally available for the rest of the world as of tomorrow.
The download page can be found here. This support is included as part of the November CTP release of SQL Server 2008 R2.
Microsoft has found a home for its "Oslo" modeling technology – in the SQL Server database family.
Microsoft has found a home for its "Oslo" modeling technology—in the SQL Server
database family.
The project code-named Oslo is Microsoft's ambitious data modeling initiative that consists of three parts: a modeling language known as "M," a modeling tool known as "Quadrant" and a repository. These components will now become part of the SQL Server family and will be available in a new Community Technology Preview (CTP) that will become available at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference, which runs Nov. 17-19 in Los Angeles.
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/Microsofts-Oslo-Becomes-SQL-Server-Modeling-117207/The WinterCorp Executive Report details capabilities and performance of the Unisys ES7000 Model 7600R, developed for Microsoft SQL Server database requirements. According to the report "…the Model 7600R delivers distinctive capabilities for users with rapidly growing database requirements on Microsoft SQL Server, providing an excellent platform for database scale up; for database consolidation; and, for database server virtualization."
more at http://www.unisys.com/unisys/ri/wp/detail.jsp?id=17600057
Data compression of selected tables and indexes of a database and backup compression of database backups are two new features in Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 database software that can be used in combination to reduce database and backup storage costs. Tables and indexes to be compressed generally should be chosen so as to reduce overall I/O rates and thus have a minimal impact on performance, unless spare CPU cycles are available.
"Microsoft SQL Server 2008 offers many new database features that will greatly enhance our software offerings for the retail and supply chain industries," said Roy Simrell at Retalix. "The combination of our technologies will help retailers and distributors benefit from faster, more advanced and intuitive management capabilities for integration in an existing IT infrastructure. This will result in greater productivity and increased customer service."
"SQL Server 2008 is Microsoft's leading database product," said Bill Gonzalez, general manager, Worldwide Distribution and Services, Microsoft. "The integration of Retalix and SQL enhances the value of Retalix as a solution for our customers in the retail and distribution business."
more at http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/globenewswire/177934.htm
In-memory analysis is clearly the big headline in the "R2" release of Microsoft SQL Server 2008, announced last week and expected in the first half of 2010. But the upgrade also promises master data management functionality, stream processing capabilities and improved datacenter administration. Current licensees will be able to sample it all in a Community Technical Preview (CTP) to be released this month. The three big themes behind the upgrades are pervasive insight, IT efficiency and dynamic development. But to dive into the details, here's a synopsis of what to expect in the next version of Microsoft SQL Server.
