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SQL Server 2008 R2 is available here.

Get the SQL Server 2008 R2 Trial

Introducing SQL Server 2008 R2

Built on the trusted and intelligent platform of its predecessor, SQL Server 2008 R2 has been designed to deliver breakthrough capabilities that will enable your organisation to scale database operations with confidence, improve IT and developer efficiency, and make highly scalable and well managed Business Intelligence on a self-service basis for your users possible.

Find out more about a host of new features included with Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

Learn more about SQL Server 2008 R2.

Try it free, download SQL Server 2008 R2 trial now.

What's new

We understand that the requirements of large-scale data centres, data warehouses and advanced BI customers differ which is why SQL Server 2008 R2 is now available in two new premium editions – so now there’s a solution to solve every data management need.

SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter

Built on SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise, SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter is designed to deliver a high-performing data platform that provides the highest levels of scalability for large application workloads, virtualisation and consolidation, and management for an organisation’s database infrastructure.

Learn more about SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter and how it can improve scalability within your organisation

SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse

Combining high-performance with low cost through a massively parallel processing (MPP) architecture, SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse is a highly-scalable data warehouse appliance-based solution. Compatible with industry-standard hardware from HP, Dell, Bull, IBM and EDC – scale your data warehouse from tens and hundreds of terabytes to the petabyte range.

Learn more about how SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse delivers performance at low cost

Events

Business Intelligence Live Meeting
7th May 2010

What is BI and why should you care? Incorporating detail on SQL 2008 R2 key new features.
Sign up here.

Microsoft Solutions for BI
TVP, Reading - 12th May 2010

A one day seminar examining how to build and deliver BI solutions using the Microsoft BI platform.
Sign up here.

Evolution of the Datacentre to the Cloud
BAFTA, London - 13th May 2010

This half day event will help you to gather the business critical information you need to be able to evaluate and make informed decisions on issues such as virtualizing your datacenter and moving your business onto the cloud, with many customers providing real-world examples.
Sign up here.

Experience SQL 2008 R2 now – take the digital tour

SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions Overview

SQL Server R2 Core Editions

SQL Server 2008 R2 offers expanded functionality and innovation across the most popular editions, Enterprise and Standard.

Enterprise

SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise delivers a comprehensive data platform that provides built-in security, availability, and scale coupled with robust Business Intelligence offerings – helping enable the highest service levels for mission-critical workloads. Find out more about the features new to SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise

Standard

Ideal for departments and small organisations to run their applications, SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard offers a complete data management and Business Intelligence platform – benefit from effective database management with minimal IT resources. Learn about the new capabilities of SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard

SQL Server 2008 R2 Specialised and Breadth Editions

SQL Server 2008 R2 continues to deliver both specialised and broad-reaching editions to meet the unique needs of our customers.

Web

Designed specifically for service providers that host websites and web applications, and for organisations that host their own websites and applications, Web Edition offers an optimal balance of scalability and manageability at an affordable price.

Workgroup

A reliable data management and reporting platform that delivers highly secure, remote synchronisation and management capabilities for running branch applications.

Developer

Enables developers to build and test applications that run on SQL Server on 32-bit, ia64, and x64 platforms. Developer includes all of the functionality of Datacenter but is licenced only for development, test and demo use.

Express – FREE

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express is a free edition of SQL Server that is ideal for learning, for developing and powering desktop, web and small server applications, and for redistribution by ISVs.

Compact – FREE

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Compact is a free SQL Server embedded database ideal for building standalone and occasionally connected applications for mobile devices, desktops, and web clients.

Resources

What's New in R2 Editions

Two new premium editions to meet the needs of large scale data centres and data warehouses

R2 Training Kit

SQL Server 2008 R2 Update for Developers Training Kit

New R2 Technologies

Application and Multi-Server Management

Managed Self-Service Business Intelligence

Master Data Services

StreamInsight™ Complex Event Processing Technology

New R2 Solutions

PowerPivot for SharePoint

Parallel Data Warehouse

R2 Books Online

SQL Server 2008 R2 Books Online

R2 Papers Online

Enterprise Database Management Systems

Microsoft CEP Overview

SQL in the cloud

SQL Azure

University of Dundee Case Study

High Res Video

Low Res Video

Community

SQL Server 2008 for Oracle DBA

This workshop provides a quick start for the Oracle DBA to map, compare, and contrast the realm of Oracle database management to SQL Server database management.

View the online course

SQL Server Team Blog

Official news from Microsoft's information platform.

Visit the blog

SQL Server Customer Advisory Team

Enabling SQL Server customers to navigate the most challenging frontiers of large scale data management.

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SQL Server Experts Blog

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Andrew Fryer – SQL Evangelist Blog

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