New Community Previews for BI, Connecting SQL to the Cloud

sql-azure-logo-lgTwo new Community Technology Previews (CTPs) for SQL Azure have been announced at PASS Summit 2011 that are aimed at enhancing BI capabilities and connecting data in the cloud and on-premises.

  • SQL Azure Reporting enables developers to use familiar tools to create and deploy operational reports to the cloud, which can easily be embedded in an application or browser.
  • SQL Azure Data Sync enables easier sharing and synchronization between multiple SQL Server and SQL Azure databases, helping customers to extend their enterprise data to the cloud and synchronize data between SQL Azure databases for geo-availability.

For more information and to download the latest SQL Server 2012 CTP or to download the SQL Azure Reporting or Data Sync CTPs, see https://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver or https://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure.

Also see Announcing The New SQL Azure Reporting CTP Release on the Azure team blog.

Data Explorer

Microsoft Corporate Vice President Ted Kummert demonstrated Microsoft code-name “Data Explorer,” a prototype that provides a way for customers to easily discover, enrich and share data to gain competitive advantage in today’s business climate. When combined with Windows Azure MarketPlace, now available in 26 worldwide markets, Data Explorer will help customers realize their data’s full potential.

You can begin testing and to provide feedback when CTPs are made available in the SQL Azure Labs later this year at https://www.SQLAzureLabs.com.

Scale SQL Applications

Additional improvements that will be available by the end of 2011 in the next SQL Azure Service Release include SQL Azure Federation, a new capability that allows developers to build scale-out applications across multiple databases, and an increase in SQL Azure database size to 150 gigabytes, which provides additional scalability.

SQL Server Backups to Cloud

Further tightening the connection between SQL Server and SQL Azure, Microsoft also shared that SQL Server 2012 will enable customers to easily back up their SQL Server databases directly to the Windows Azure platform, providing customers with cloud-based solutions for database backup.

Learn More

At Azure DevCamps, you’ll learn what’s new in developing cloud solutions using Windows Azure. And then you’ll participate in hands-on labs. Azure DevCamp will be held in Silicon Valley, CA October 28-29. Register for Azure DevCamp.

Bruce D. KyleISV Architect Evangelist | Microsoft Corporation

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