There are no specific use cases attached to the solution. From an academic point of view, I make the tool available to the students for some training or tests. I also used it to compare the functionalities of Oracle Data Integrators with other data integration systems.
Professor at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Users need to go through a simple initial setup process to use it
Pros and Cons
- "The product's initial setup phase was simple."
- "The interface of the tool has certain shortcomings, making it an area where improvements are required."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
I can't comment on the valuable features of the product right now since I recently downloaded some whitepaper and manuals. I downloaded the documentation related to the tool, but I haven't used much of the system. I know that SQL Server is a good system, based on a report I read on the Gartner website.
What needs improvement?
The interface of the tool has certain shortcomings, making it an area where improvements are required.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SQL Server for ten to twenty years.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I haven't tested the system for scalability. I use it for simple tasks.
As per our company's agreement with Microsoft, some of the software from Microsoft 10 was included in SQL Server when there were about 1,000 students attending database classes using it.
How was the initial setup?
The product's initial setup phase was simple.
What other advice do I have?
There were no specific projects for which I used the tool. I conduct classes related to data integration. I need to use some products attached to the data integration area having a Python framework. I wanted to compare the tool with some commercial tools such as Oracle Data Integrator.
I recommend the product to those who plan to use it.
SQL Servers and Power BI Report Servers can integrate well.
I rate the tool a seven to eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

Data engineer at ASR Nederland N.V.
The restoration of data is very easy compared to any other database
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is very intuitive and easy to use."
- "The performance degrades when the data is huge."
What is our primary use case?
We extracted data from SAP and stored it in SQL Server. We created a connection between the Data Services Server and the SQL Server. If anything went wrong, there were SQL Server experts who took care of everything. So, we extracted data from our ERP system and stored it in SQL Server.
What is most valuable?
Whenever we had to restore the data, it was not as difficult as restoring the database to any other RDBMS. The restoration of data is very easy compared to any other database. The solution is very intuitive and easy to use. It is one of the best relational database systems in the market. The restore and backup strategy was not complicated. The ease of use was excellent compared to any other databases.
What needs improvement?
The performance degrades when the data is huge. It also degrades when there is a flux of data.
For how long have I used the solution?
I used the solution for four to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The tool is stable. I rate the stability a seven out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The tool is pretty scalable. We had 100 users in our organization. We can scale the tool vertically and horizontally.
What other advice do I have?
SQL Server is the best database when the data is not huge or when we know that the data is coming in at a specific rate. I rate the integration of the product with SAP BusinessObjects Data Services nine out of ten. It is easy. We did not come across any issues or delays. Every organization uses Microsoft. SQL Server is one of the oldest RDBMSs on the market. It is easy to use and intuitive. A lot of people know about it. The ease of use is greater than any other server in the market. Overall, I rate the solution an eight and a half out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Senior Business Intelligence Developer
Enables basic BI tasks but lacks AI functionality
Pros and Cons
- "It is easy to use for a BI specialist."
- "It can be better if it enables the use of AI functions."
What is our primary use case?
I work as a BI specialist, so I am directly using SQL Server since I am using the database and making reports from it via SSAS.
What is most valuable?
I use SQL Server daily for data analysis using its database capabilities and reporting via SSAS. It is easy to use for a BI specialist.
What needs improvement?
It can be better if it enables the use of AI functions. I used to work with Alteryx, and it has an analytical platform that was best for working directly from a database with machine learning algorithms. So, it would be better, I think.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SQL Server for around three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability around nine or ten. I have not encountered any problems with it.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I used to work with Dataiku, however, I switched jobs. I used to work as a developer for Dataiku, and now I am working as a BI specialist.
How was the initial setup?
I think it is not easy to work with date types when compared to Oracle. Oracle is more useful, but I do not know which feature is better for SQL Server.
What about the implementation team?
I deploy all packages myself and use SSIS for that. We are creating stored procedures and triggering some jobs in SQL Server. I did the deployment by myself.
What was our ROI?
I am unable to determine any ROI since I have always used SQL Server and cannot compare it with other tools.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I have previously worked with Dataiku.
What other advice do I have?
Based on my experience, SQL Server is a common tool and does not offer significantly higher benefits or anything too special. It is easy to use, and I would recommend it to others.
I would rate it around five on a scale of one to ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Last updated: Feb 23, 2025
Flag as inappropriateCyber Security Engineer at Oyak Cimento
Offers good integration capabilities but needs to have a better audit control mechanism
Pros and Cons
- "The solution's most valuable part revolves around data management, which can be seen in its audit features and performance."
- "Even if you have some technical agreement with Microsoft, the technical support of the solution won't help you. The support needs to be improved."
What is our primary use case?
I use the solution in my company for .NET programs and as a database.
What is most valuable?
The solution's most valuable part revolves around data management, which can be seen in its audit features and performance.
What needs improvement?
The tool needs to develop a better audit control mechanism.
Even if you have some technical agreement with Microsoft, the technical support of the solution won't help you. The support needs to be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SQL Server for eight years. I am an end-user of the solution.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability features of the product are simple for me to use.
Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.
Around five percent of the people in my company use the tool.
How are customer service and support?
I rate the technical support a five to six out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have worked with Microsoft Entra ID Protection for ten years. I also use Microsoft Defender.
Over the other solutions of the market, I started to use SQL Server since it is available for free and is more secure, while offering good performance. SQL Server offers good performance even over Elasticsearch, or maybe the others open-source database products.
How was the initial setup?
The product's initial setup phase is very easy. On a scale of one to ten, if one is difficult and ten is easy, I rate the setup phase a ten.
The solution is deployed on an on-premises model.
The solution can be deployed in a few hours.
What about the implementation team?
My company's in-house team carried out the product's deployment process.
What was our ROI?
The tool is not something that helps with the cost saving part, but I can say that is a practical tool to use.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
On a scale of one to ten, when one is cheap and ten is an expensive solution, I rate the product price as seven. The product is expensive.
What other advice do I have?
The tool's integration capabilities are very good. We don't have any problems.
I don't have any idea about how the product can be used for AI-driven projects because we don't use AI.
I don't recommend the tool to others. I recommended free products because they are tools that offer high performance.
I rate the tool a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Senior Software Engineer at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees
Allows the execution of stored procedures and commands
Pros and Cons
- "Unlike MySQL, SQL Server is advantageous because it allows the execution of stored procedures and commands. It's easy to understand, run, and manage. Also, Microsoft frequently updates SQL Server, quickly resolving issues in new versions."
What is our primary use case?
We use SQL Server to store applications. The SQL Server manages various functions, such as digital innovation projects, document storage, handling login credentials, and maintaining authentication and authorization through the database.
What is most valuable?
Unlike MySQL, SQL Server is advantageous because it allows the execution of stored procedures and commands. It's easy to understand, run, and manage. Also, Microsoft frequently updates SQL Server, quickly resolving issues in new versions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with the product for three years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
My team has five users.
How was the initial setup?
The tool's deployment is easy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
SQL Server offers three versions. You can get a free trial for 30 days.
What other advice do I have?
The solution is easy to understand if you know basic queries. I rate it a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Director of Product Management at SID GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LLC
Helps to store and retrieve application data
Pros and Cons
- "I find query optimization to be highly valuable for data management. Additionally, drag-and-drop query creation greatly facilitates data management tasks."
- "The solution's stability can be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We use the tool to store and retrieve application data. It allows for storage via multiple threads and separates threads.
What is most valuable?
I find query optimization to be highly valuable for data management. Additionally, drag-and-drop query creation greatly facilitates data management tasks.
What needs improvement?
The solution's stability can be improved.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I can't provide a definitive comment on stability, but I'd lean towards the positive side and rate it around a seven out of ten. I've encountered more efficient and faster databases that deserve a higher rating. Therefore, I'm hesitant to rate SQL Server a nine out of ten for stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The number of users depends on the primary master database, which handles the core data. The solution typically serves around two million users interacting with the primary master database. In terms of deployment and maintenance, not much is needed. I'm quite familiar with databases, so that I can handle it myself. Even without guides, setting up and maintaining the system is manageable.
How was the initial setup?
The deployment process was fairly simple, especially with SQL Server and other modern products. The interfaces are easy to understand, and the configuration is straightforward. Typically, you need to configure a node endpoint for the JDBC driver if you're connecting from a client.
What other advice do I have?
Currently, we don't heavily rely on SQL Server for our projects. Most applications are developed for evaluation or quick setup and checking methods. For production-grade deployments, we primarily use PostgreSQL.
The database architecture plays a crucial role in data-heavy applications. I've worked with databases, particularly in telecom, requiring extremely real-time operations like quick authentication and seamless data transfer for calls. These use cases demand quick responsiveness and scalability, especially during high-traffic events like sports matches. Scaling up certain database nodes becomes essential to handle the increased volume of data.
I rate the overall solution a seven out of ten.I haven't personally used the .NET framework, but it seems to be more elaborate compared to Java or Python.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Group IT Head at Ashapura Minechem Ltd
Accessible, even for those with limited skills
What is our primary use case?
SQL Server is very useful in managing databases for various applications. It is easy to use, making it accessible even for those with limited skills. SQL is a preferred choice for handling limited data. Additionally, Microsoft provides excellent support for SQL Server.
How has it helped my organization?
We are using in-house ERP. Currently, we are using SQL for different projects, like surveys and documentation. The data are stored in SQL, which is our main database.
What is most valuable?
SQL Server is very easy to use. A person with limited skill also can handle the software easily. The retrieving time of the data is very fast. You don't require any higher configuration machine for that. If you have very limited resources, you can easily manage.
What needs improvement?
There is a limitation in the SQL. There are around 4GB restrictions, which Microsoft needs to work on.
If your data volume is higher, your server performance may suffer. Microsoft needs to focus on improving stability in such scenarios.
For how long have I used the solution?
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
If the dataset is limited, the performance is good. If it involves bulk data, then the speed is slow.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The number of users impacts the solution’s scalability.
100-500 users are using this solution.
How are customer service and support?
Customer support is fast and knowledgeable. Whenever we raise the ticket, they reply within two hours.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward. It is not lengthy. It's a simple flow chart. There is no complexity in the application. It will take half an hour to deploy if you have the right hardware resources.
The first step is gathering the developers’ prerequisites, which depend on the application. We consider the projected data volume for the last ten years, which informs our capacity planning. Based on that, we recommend virtualization.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have two kinds of licenses for SQL Server: perpetual and subscription-based. We already have the perpetual license. The subscription-based license is renewed every year. The perpetual license was obtained previously, while the subscription-based license is a newer solution we've deployed. We have both perpetual and subscription-based licenses. Perpetual license lacks support.
What other advice do I have?
SQL Server is very secure in terms of login and data protection. Security largely depends on the programmer’s implementation. When data is inputted, it is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. So, laypeople cannot understand the content of the data.
If your organization needs secure data management or is considering migrating your systems to a virtualization platform, I strongly recommend utilizing Microsoft products. They are user-friendly and require no specialized skill level.
Microsoft has developed the software to be used for any major and smaller applications. Therefore, its integration is very good in terms of the specifications provided.
Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Chief Analytics Officer at Idiro Analytics
Cloud deployment reduces maintenance and management workload
Pros and Cons
- "The Azure SQL Server database requires almost zero maintenance and management."
- "SQL Server database capacities could be further increased to be more accessible for larger data requirements."
What is our primary use case?
Most of my clients are looking for a solution within the cloud on Azure and SQL Server databases. It is very cost-effective and scalable, meeting all requirements for small to medium-sized enterprises.
I generally do not deal with big enterprise organizations that need large data warehouse solutions, however, it fits the needs of those with small to medium data volume requirements.
What is most valuable?
The Azure SQL Server database requires almost zero maintenance and management. Once I set it up on Azure cloud, everything is managed automatically by the service, allowing me to start working with the database without worrying about administration tasks that are typically needed for on-premise databases.
What needs improvement?
SQL Server database capacities could be further increased to be more accessible for larger data requirements. Although some of these needs are being addressed by other services like Delta Lake, improving SQL Server's capacity would make it more suitable for larger enterprises.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used the solution for more than five years, possibly seven or eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability a ten out of ten. It’s robust and reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability a ten out of ten, as it is highly scalable.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support service probably rates about an eight out of ten. It is very commendable.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is very straightforward and manageable, especially when setting it up on different occasions in the cloud environment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price point is very competitive and acceptable, often meeting approval from several clients who have used this solution.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend SQL Server to others. It's a highly effective tool for many applications.
I would rate the overall solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
Last updated: Feb 17, 2025
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