Microsoft leaps forward in data revolution with SQL Server 2016

By Shannine Daniel

Microsoft launched its latest SQL server 2016 in Sri Lanka recently, thus partaking in the data revolution that has been rolling across the Asia Pacific region. 

Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives Managing Director Brian Kealey stated that it is a big leap forward in the company’s data platform history.

Microsoft SQL Server 2016 brings advancement in database management through real-time operational analytics, new hybrid cloud scenarios, built-in advanced analytics, new advanced security technology and rich visualisations on mobile devices.

For six years in a running Microsoft’s SQL Server has been vouched for as the most secure database in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) vulnerabilities database stated Microsoft South East Asian (SEA) New Markets Marketing and Operational Lead Rena Chai. 

Microsoft Operations Pte Ltd Marketing and Operation Lead Rena Chai, Microsoft Sri Lanka Ltd Managing Director Sri Lanka & Maldives Brian Kealey  – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

One notable feature of the Microsoft SQL Server 2016 is that it is ‘always encrypted’ which ensures that data in its system is protected at rest, while in use and when queries are being processed. Only authorised users have the decryption key; not even those with administrative access will be able to access the data.

In today’s business environment business organisations are greatly concerned with protecting their data and applications with a solution that is robust, readily available and easy to administer. First introduced in SQL Server 2012, ‘Always-on Availability groups’ meets the availability requirements of mission critical intelligent applications. SQL Server 2016 offers better protection by taking advantage of high end hardware and high degrees of parallelism. A basic version of ‘Always on Availability groups’ is available on SQL Server 2016 – Standard edition.

“We believe that everyone has a right to a safe and secure computing environment,” opined Kealey. 

Businesses also need to transfer their data into insights as soon as possible to gain an advantage over their competitions. However this is time consuming and as a result of this issue SQL Server 2016 has adopted Real-time Operational Analytics, which combines two of SQL Server’s leading technologies ‘In memory Online Transactions Processing (OLTP)’ and ‘In memory analytics’ to analyse the most recent data in real time. This allows businesses to perform analytics directly on their transactional data and can greatly lower cost, by avoiding unnecessary data migration. 

SQL Server 2016 claims to be significantly faster than its predecessor with faster queries, advanced analytics, better support for in-memory computing and new hybrid cloud scenarios as some of the new advancements, along with a high performance rate when it comes to data warehousing workloads. 

In terms of Cost the SQL server 2016 provides the total cost of ownership is less than 10% the cost of the solutions of their competitors such as Oracle.   Speaking to the Daily FT Kealey stated that the price per processor will depend on the customer’s selected and existing licensing arrangements and which editions they choose.

There is a migration offer available as well for those willing to switch to Microsoft SQL Server 2016 which includes free SQL server licenses, free training in SQL server essentials and subsidised deployment services to kick start migration. The training and services will available through June. 

In regard to what Microsoft has in store for Sri Lanka in future Kealey stated that Microsoft’s core mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more and for 12 years the company has operated on the principle of enriching the lives of all Sri Lankans by democratising technology.

“This includes enabling teachers to empower students, growing our SMB sector and enterprises through digitisation and supporting the transformation of our public sector. A recent example of this is our Imagine Cup competition for students. The winners of the Sri Lankan competition are now representing the country in the global competition with the exposure to take their idea to the world,” he asserted.