{"id":50648,"date":"2024-04-25T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2026-03-19T16:31:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T23:31:04","slug":"why-migrate-windows-server-and-sql-server-to-azure-roi-innovation-and-free-offers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/sql-server\/blog\/2024\/04\/25\/why-migrate-windows-server-and-sql-server-to-azure-roi-innovation-and-free-offers\/","title":{"rendered":"Why migrate Windows Server and SQL Server to Azure: ROI, innovation, and free offers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hey everyone!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve been on the road the last couple of weeks at MVP Summit, SQLBits and Fabric Con, connecting with customers talking about the value of migration and modernization. We want to dig into specifically, how Azure can deliver real business value through cost optimization and streamlined productivity for their Windows Server and SQL Server deployments when they migrate to Azure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve helped countless organizations migrate their SQL Server and Windows workloads to Azure a critical 1st<\/sup> step in any transformation initiative. The move can help improve cybersecurity posture and business continuity, boost productivity, and lay the foundation for AI and other highly scalable data innovations, while automating updates, backups, and other time-consuming IT tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modernize and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Migration is a business strategy that pays off. In The Business Value of Microsoft Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance Workload<\/a>,1<\/sup> organizations that migrated to Azure SQL Managed Instance<\/a> and Microsoft Azure SQL Database<\/a> can get up to 406 percent return on investment over 3 years<\/strong> and can expect a 30-percent reduction in TCO over 5 years<\/strong>, protecting an additional $6.85 million in annual revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A separate\u00a0study found that customers that migrated both <\/em><\/strong>Windows Server and SQL Server workloads to Azure generated more value. According to The Business Value of Microsoft Azure for SQL Server and Windows Server Workloads<\/a>,<\/em>2<\/sup> by optimizing costs, operations, and business opportunities, companies gained $15.85 million in total annual benefits<\/strong> while also increasing IT security efficiency by 43 percent<\/strong> with cloud tools and automation.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Azure SQL<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Migrate, modernize, and innovate with the modern SQL family of cloud database services.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart today<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A smooth path to migration, a more powerful destination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Migrating to a cloud platform is an essential step on the journey to modernization, and there are many choices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes SQL unique is that it\u2019s built on the same engine, no matter where you deploy, which means you can build on your existing SQL experience while gaining the layered security, intelligent threat detection, and data encryption that Azure provides. And as we shared with customers at SQLBits, there\u2019s now an even more powerful option available for customers looking to leverage the full PaaS experience. Azure SQL Managed Instance Next-gen GP<\/a> \u00a0brings significantly improved performance and scalability to power up your existing Azure SQL Managed Instance fleet, and help bring more mission-critical SQL workloads to Azure.\u00a0With close to 100 percent feature compatibility with SQL Server,\u00a0Azure SQL Managed Instance<\/a>\u00a0is the recommended choice to migrate and modernize SQL apps at scale and at your own pace.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Another option many of our customers start with is by running their Windows Server workloads on Azure Virtual Machines, benefiting from a simplified, managed experience and cloud-native support for SQL Server, .NET apps, and Remote Desktop Services. Or you can modernize your entire Windows Server estate, choosing from more than 200 Azure services and capabilities, including support for hybrid environments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the first step or the next: You have choices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to migration, Azure meets you where you are with options for moving on-premises workloads and for developing new cloud solutions. For example, many organizations start by moving Windows Server workloads to Azure Virtual Machines<\/a>, enabling them to easily scale to support new developments and more efficiently manage peak loads. Hokkoku Bank<\/a> took this step, migrating its Windows Server\u2013based estate to Azure as part of a cloud-first initiative. Azure supports the bank\u2019s modernization plans and helps provide a disaster recovery solution in an earthquake-prone region.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Correios de Portugal<\/a>, the country\u2019s postal service, migrated its Windows Server workloads to Azure Virtual Machines backed by Azure SQL, which provides a smooth path to a cost-effective, highly scalable, fully managed PaaS database. It\u2019s the best choice for modernizing your apps and getting the most out of your existing investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of our database customers move to SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines<\/a> for the cost benefits on top of the scalability and resilience of Azure. As an example, healthcare software manufacturer Allscripts<\/a> migrated on-premises applications to Azure SQL Database Managed Instance when possible, but another 600 on-premises VMs needed a different migration approach. Allscripts moved them to SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, a quick, low-risk step for workloads it plans to optimize and modernize later. The lift-and-shift approach can be an easy first   step in your cloud journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Azure also offers hybrid solutions that bridge your on-premises and cloud resources. For example, you can move or extend on-premises VMware environments using Azure VMWare Solution<\/a>. You can even use the free Windows Admin Center<\/a> tool to manage across Windows Server environments\u2014physical, virtual, on-premises, in Azure, or in a hosted environment\u2014at no additional cost. To get started with a Windows Server migration, start discovering and assessing on-premises resources using the free Azure Migrate<\/a> tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch the\u00a0Migrate to Innovate<\/a>\u00a0digital event on demand and learn the business benefits of migrating to Azure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try it for free <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to know how your workload will perform before migrating, try these Azure offers and get started building that proof-of-concept.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n