Microsoft has announced a new free database management
tool in SQL Server 2005 Express Manager, and the second community
technology preview for Microsoft SQL Server 2005.
The second SQL Server 2005 community preview is now available to
all MSDN and Betaplace subscribers. A community technology preview
is an interim build that provides the community with the ability to
test and experiment with new features as they are added to SQL
Server 2005.
In addition to quality and performance enhancements, this
community preview will introduce 64-bit support for SQL Server 2005
Analysis Services and SQL Server 2005 Integration Services, on top
of the 64-bit support already included for the database engine.
Microsoft is also offering a technical preview of SQL Server
2005 Express Manager. Designed to be easy to use, SQL Server 2005
Express Manager provides features to simplify, automate and reduce
the complexity of database support and administration.
Built on top of the Microsoft .net framework 2.0, SQL Server
2005 Express Manager can be used to manage SQL Server 2000, SQL
Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000) and SQL Server 2005
Developer and Express Edition databases on local and remote
computers.
Paul Flessner, Microsoft senior vice-president for SQL Server,
said, "We're confident that programs like the community technology
preview will help us build a better product and encourage other
customers to make the switch to SQL Server."
SQL Server 2005 Express Manager is available for download from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads.