Microsoft has announced the first service pack for SQL
Server 2005, five months after releasing the database
software.
SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) includes a production-ready
database mirroring function, designed to sustain continuous
availability if the main database crashes. Microsoft said the
database mirroring function had been tested by 20 existing
users.
The database mirroring in SP1 complements the existing always-on
technologies in SQL Server 2005, such as failover clustering,
database snapshots, snapshot isolation and log shipping.
The service pack also offers a new SQL Server Management Studio
Express tool. This is a graphical management environment for SQL
Server Express Edition and enterprise reporting support for SAP
Netweaver Business Intelligence.
Netweaver support is achieved using two new components in SP1: a
Microsoft .net data provider for SAP Netweaver Business
Intelligence and a new MDX Query Designer.
Microsoft said that the components were designed to help SAP
users create and manage reports on information held in any SAP BW
datawarehouse.
Paul Flessner, senior vice-president of Microsoft’s data and
storage platform division, said, “It has been very gratifying to
see the level of excitement, engagement and rapid adoption of SQL
Server 2005 by our customers and partners.”
The large volume of feedback had helped the company deliver SP1
quickly, he added.
Microsoft said it would update the SQL Server software
approximately every 24 to 36 months to support functions such as
continuous availability, automation and end-to-end business insight
for better business decisions.
Earlier this month Microsoft acquired ProClarity, a provider of
analysis and visualisation technologies that work in association
with SQL Server 2005,
Analyst firm Forrester Research said that this acquisition gave
users assessing a business intelligence standard another viable
option.
“Microsoft has added a credible reporting and analysis front-end
product suite to its core business intelligence engine, making this
a complete reporting and analysis solution that buyers should add
to the shortlist of business intelligence options,” said Forrester
analyst Keith Giles in a paper on the acquisition.