Microsoft's triple launch: SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and BizTalk Server 2006
In a co-ordinated worldwide launch, Microsoft delivers major updates to three of the leading stars in its product line up in the company's most important product release this year.
24 November 2005
Windows Vista and the next version of Windows Server may be more than a year away, but there's a launch of similar significance this year - SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and BizTalk Server 2006 (no, we don't know why BizTalk carries the 2006 name, either).
It's no surprise that these three products launch together, because of their natural synergy as a development toolset, for e-business and e-commerce for example. Likewise, the release of the updated .NET framework is an integrated part of Microsoft's overall development strategy.
Of broadest business interest is the launch of SQL Server 2005. Like all of the products in Microsoft's new line-up, this isn't a small incremental upgrade - it's a major overhaul. Microsoft has focused its efforts into four main areas, none of which is a surprise: manageability, availability, scalability and security.
SQL Server 2005 comes in four editions. Express is free, but supports databases of only up to 4Gb, Workgroup, for machines with 1 or 2 CPUs and up to 3Gb RAM, Standard, for machines with up to 4 CPUs with unlimited RAM and finally Enterprise, a real heavyweight which Microsoft describes as having 'unlimited scale'.
A lot of effort has gone into improving SQL Server's 'business intelligence' features - the ability to get information out of SQL Server in a meaningful manner, with easier to use, more powerful reporting tools that can be used within the GUI rather than requiring a developer to write lines and lines of code.
Keeping SQL Server running has also been a priority, so lots more functions can now take place without having to take the database off line - for example, on-line indexing now allows an index to be built on a table without that table becoming locked - the table remains available in its prior state until the new index is built, after which they automatically view the changed table.
Database snapshot and database mirroring are new SQL Server features that really help with backup and recovery. Snapshots (a read-only copy of the database) can be taken at any time and easily used as a restoration point. Database mirroring, more familiar to Oracle users, creates two identical copies of a database and can be a cost-effective alternative to clustering (although it can be complex to set up).
Indeed, there are few elements of SQL Server that remain unchanged - unlike many updates, where you struggle to find justification to upgrade, SQL Server presents a compelling case.
Visual Studio has moved forward in the same leaps and bounds and is a massive distance from the previous version. Making .NET 2 a success is largely down to providing developers with tools which are exciting advances on the previous versions - and Visual Studio 2005 delivers this in spadefulls.
Like SQL Server, there's an Express - free - version Visual Studio, or, to be more precise, several free versions. There's one each for Visual Basic, Web development, Visual C#, Visual C++ and Visual J++. These were originally intended to be low-cost versions, but Microsoft has decided to release them free for a year. This is aimed at hobbyists and occasional users, or those who are considering moving into development, and is designed to counter free open-source tools.
Above the free versions, there are the Standard, Professional, Microsoft Office and Team Systems versions. The Standard edition is aimed mainly at developers who work individually; not part of a development team. The Professional edition comes with SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition and Crystal Reports and includes remote debugging - but a generally extended toolset. The Microsoft Office version is really intended for those developers who are building applications that work with the Microsoft Office System. Visual Studio Team System is more interesting, as it's designed for development teams, providing the tools for them to work concurrently on the same project, Microsoft's Visual SourceSafe - although to get the most from this you'll need to buy Visual Studio Team Foundation Server separately).
While BizTalk Server 2006 doesn't create the same excitement as the launch of SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005, the product has nonetheless been updated to take advantage of the new features of those products, so it stays in synch with the database and development tools.
As with any major technology, there's always the worry that upgrading too early will bring its own raft of problems. However, these products have seen extensive testing both by Microsoft and in the field, so are as robust as possible. We'd expect that organisations will feel that he benefits of these new products far outweigh any 'early adopter' risks and will want to migrate sooner rather than later.
What about training?
e-academy is already scheduling the new courses for Microsoft's
latest products and we're expecting to deliver the full range, as
they become available. For more information, contact us on 0845 650
6500.
