Microsoft releases SQL Server 2012

Microsoft on Tuesday announced the RTM of SQL Server 2012, the latest version of the company's widely-used relational database server platform, which will launch to the general market on April first.

The trend in SQL Server this time around is "Big Data," the enterprise buzzword that seems to be gradually encroaching on the cachet of "cloud." In short, Microsoft is positioning SQL Server 2012 as the way businesses can take advantage of the unfathomably large amounts of data created every year --1.8 zettabytes of information (aka 1.8 trillion gigs,) for example, was created in 2011 alone.

"It’s more scalable, more reliable and delivers greater performance than ever before. It also includes Power View, our industry-leading business intelligence functionality," said Ted Kummert, corporate vice president of the Business Platform Division in Microsoft's Server and Tools unit. "Power View provides users with a powerful interactive capability that transforms the exploration of any data, anywhere, into a more natural, immersive experience. Ultimately this encourages better decision-making – a significant benefit, with massive implications in today’s era of big data."

When SQL Server 2012 is released on April 1, Microsoft is expected to release several new data warehousing solutions, which include a major software update, new half-rack form factors for Microsoft Parallel Data Warehouse appliances, and SQL Server Fast Track Data Warehouse reference architectures for the new SQL Server platform.

Tomorrow, Microsoft is hosting a virtual launch event where the new features of SQL Server 2012 will be covered in greater depth, and experts will be available to field questions live online.