SQL sequel
It doesn't sound like much, but R2 is the first update to Microsoft's database server product - SQL Server, for a couple of years. We're sure there's a very good reason why it's not called SQL server 2010.
Anyway, the three main improvements Microsoft is claiming for SQL Server 2008 R2 consist of more user-friendly data-mining to make the extraction of business intelligence easier, better scalability into a datacenter environment, and better integration into the cloud, via SQL Azure.
"Customers continue to receive and create increasing amounts of data, as information impacts their business and social lives. Our goal is to help customers extract value and business insight from that information, whether it is stored locally on their PC, in a datacenter or in the cloud," said Ted Kummert, SVP of the business platform division at Microsoft.
Microsoft has trotted-out a bunch of third-parties to talk about how great SQL Server R2 is on a global conference call for the launch. We don't doubt the legitimacy of their claims, but we have to wonder how effective Microsoft thinks such a move is in convincing people to buy its products.
If you'd rather find out a bit more about Microsoft SQL 2008 R2 yourself, there's a ‘digital tour' that you can access here.
