We’ve introduced the public preview of the
Azure SQL Database. This release brings near-complete SQL Server engine compatibility, in addition to performance that will help streamline SQL Server application migrations to Azure. This preview marks the first step in delivering the next generation of the Azure SQL database service that will bring customers more compatibility, flexibility, and performance.
Details about this preview are available on the
Getting Started page; however, highlights include:
- Easier management of large databases
Supports heavier workloads with parallel queries (Premium only), table partitioning, online indexing, and worry-free large index rebuilds with the size limit of 2 gigabyte (GB) removed, and alter database command.
- Up to 100 times performance improvements*
Support for in-memory columnstore index queries (Premium only) for data mart and smaller analytic workloads.
- Support for key programmability functions
Drive more robust application designs with CLR, T-SQL functions in Windows , XML indexing, and change tracking.
- Improved monitoring and troubleshooting
Extended Events (XEvents) and visibility into over 100 new table views via an expanded set of Database Management Views.
- New S3 performance level
Offers more pricing flexibility between Standard and Premium. S3 delivers 100 DTU and all the features available in the Standard tier for $0.2016/hour ($0.1008/hour during preview). For more information, see the SQL Database Pricing page.
To try this preview, please sign up via the
Preview features page or via the new Azure Preview portal.
For more information, please visit the
Microsoft Azure Blog. For a comprehensive look at pricing, please visit the
SQL Database Pricing page.
* These performance improvements are based on internal tests, which measured query speeds with and without using the columnstore index in Azure SQL Database. Individual customer results may vary.