SQL Server ‘Denali’ Becomes SQL Server 2012

Kicking off PASS Summit 2011, Microsoft Corporate Vice President Ted Kummert announced the upcoming SQL Server 2012, formerly code-named “Denali.”

SQL Server 2012 delivers a powerful new set of capabilities for mission-critical workloads, business intelligence and hybrid IT across traditional datacenters and private and public clouds. Features such as Power View (formerly Project “Crescent,”) and SQL Server Data Tools (formerly “Juneau”) expand the self-service BI capabilities delivered with PowerPivot, and provide an integrated development environment for SQL Server developers.

You can download the community preview. See SQL Server site for details on “CTP 3”.

Power View

Kummert provided a look at how Microsoft will evolve its BI offerings with highly interactive and immersive data visualization experiences. He demonstrated Power View, formerly Project “Crescent,” on a variety of devices and showcased how these new capabilities will give users interactive, touch-based experiences with data virtually wherever they are. Power View “touch” capabilities will be available by the end of 2012.

Watch the Keynote

See PASS Summit 2011 Day One Keynote online.

Extending the Foundation

Extending on this foundation, Kummert also announced new investments to help customers manage “big data,” including an Apache Hadoop-based distribution for Windows Server and Windows Azure and a strategic partnership with Hortonworks Inc.

SQL Azure

Also announced at PASS, two new Community Technology Previews (CTPs) aimed at enhancing BI capabilities and connecting data in the cloud and on-premises: SQL Azure Reporting, SQL Azure Data Sync. Max SQL Azure database size increases to 150 gigabytes. See Windows Azure.

Bruce D. KyleISV Architect Evangelist | Microsoft Corporation