CEO at a tech company with 51-200 employees
SQL Server offers tight integration at low pricing
What is most valuable?
• SQL Server provide end users and database programmers with a broad spectrum of services such as Analysis and Reporting services, Data Engine, Integration Services thus making database development and management easier and reliable.
• SQL Server offers a platform on which data in all levels- structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data can be managed, integrated and analyzed thus enabling an organization to realize its mission-critical information.
• Latest versions of SQL Server provide a handy development studio that not only make the creation of database objects easy but also offer useful tools such Object Explorer to allow quick processes.
What needs improvement?
• SQL Server work best with Windows Operating System and it is not compatible with some other systems hence limiting its platform friendliness.
• Advance versions with higher functionality such as Work Group Edition have high installation requirement such as multi-processor computers, larger primary memory and are not open source.
What other advice do I have?
• Database developers who want to have a clear logical and physical understanding of database systems will no doubt benefit much from using SQL Server. I personally marvel at the extensible support provided by the management studio especially on disk and file management as I enjoy using SQL Server 2008. SQL Server is friendly to both beginners and experts and its installation process can be customized to suite different features.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Systems Analyst Developer with 1-10 employees
A fast and efficient way to track reporting
Pros and Cons
- "I have experience with this product for many years. I never have problems with it. It can handle a PC, and it can also handle huge data. It is fast and efficient."
- "It would be nice if there was a feature to search for a specific value across multiple tables. This would save a lot of time for its users."
What is most valuable?
It is widely used and we never have problems with it. It can handle a PC, and it can also handle huge data. It is fast and efficient. It is something unique that tracks reporting of records, personnel, finances and more. It also integrates well with everything, not just Microsoft tools.
What needs improvement?
It would be nice to search for specific value across multiple tables. This would save a lot of time.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I have never had a problem with the stability of the solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have never really had a problem with the scalability of the solution.
How is customer service and technical support?
I have never used technical support. It is the joke at the office that you cannot get help on the Microsoft website at all. Also, downloading anything from Microsoft is usually a nightmare. Honestly, I end up googling the problem and solving it myself. This is definitely something Microsoft needs to improve.
What other advice do I have?
It is definitely important for someone looking at a new vendor to consider the support of the solution. In addition, the customer should really do their research and understand what their needs are, and make sure the new solution will solve those needs.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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SQL Server
April 2024
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Program Solution Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Simple to install, easy to use, and it is not difficult to find resources to manage it
Pros and Cons
- "It is easy to use and easy to perform a backup."
- "In my experience, I've found that scalability can be improved."
What is our primary use case?
My background is primarily in software development, and I use SQL Server among other tools in that capacity. SQL Server was one of the main databases in my previous company, and it is used for storing data from different applications.
What is most valuable?
It is easy to use and easy to perform a backup.
It is easy to find resources that can manage SQL Server.
What needs improvement?
In my experience, I've found that scalability can be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used SQL Server while working for different companies.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have between 40 and 50 applications running on it, which are used by many people.
How are customer service and technical support?
The support from Microsoft is good.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is simple.
What about the implementation team?
We have an in-house team for deployment and maintenance.
One administrator is suitable for managing it.
What other advice do I have?
In summary, this is a good product and I recommend it.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Business Intelligence and Decision Support Team Leader at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees
We’ve been using SQL Server for 17 years
What is most valuable?
It’s easy to develop and learn for newbies, and community MVP’s are so powerful and qualified, so info is easily accessible.
Also, SQL Server is not only a DBMS solution anymore, it is also a BI platform, and improvements are being made continuously.
How has it helped my organization?
SQL Server is our main RDBMS for SIS (Student Information System) and also our DWH, which are hosted on our SQL Server.
What needs improvement?
Version management, editor capabilities, CDC (change date capture), and some advanced analytic functions should be added; continuous integration solutions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I’ve been developing with MS SQL Server for nearly 20 years, since Version 6.5.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Not in this version.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Yes, we did, with the 2008 version.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have a yearly technical support agreement with a major partner. Consultant meetings are a requirement.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
No. We’ve been using SQL Server for 17 years.
How was the initial setup?
We’ve been using AlwaysOn availability groups for three years. It took a while to model the structure, but now it is stabilized, and safe with disaster recovery and failover configurations.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
It was years ago, so it’s not relevant info anymore.
What other advice do I have?
Database modeling and indexing best practices are so important. Do not defer to implement these practices. Before installation, planning different file groups for temp, data, and index files will help to gain performance and maintenance advantages.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: April 2024
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Good Article. Though i would like to add some points.
1) Microsoft SQL Server is easy to use and offers more features, like full support for triggers.
2) Closely integrated with Microsoft products like .NET Framework.
3) Various features for data restoration and recovery.
4) Microsoft SQL Server only runs on Windows-based servers.
5) Costly license fees.