Why Upgrade To Sql Server 2005

The Business Value of Upgrading to SQL Server 2005

White Paper

Published: October 2005

Abstract

Business decision makers deploying Microsoft® SQL Server technologies have adopted SQL Server 2005 because it optimizes their IT infrastructure for growth and improves their alignment with key business objectives. With up to 35% faster transaction processing, advanced business intelligence solutions and enhanced developer productivity, SQL Server 2005 builds on the strengths of SQL Server 2000. Enterprise and midmarket organizations upgrading to SQL Server 2005 will not only accelerate growth but also open exciting new opportunities for database administrators, developers and IT decision makers.

Fortune 1000 organizations already using the pre-release version of SQL Server 2005 have found that it provides significant advancements in database technology and allows business users to unlock value in their data by:

* Minimizing business disruptions through increased 24/7 availability, scalability and security.

* Gaining deeper business insight through richer end-user analytics and reporting tools that result in a faster return on investment.

* Accelerating the development time of line of business applications by up to 40% with Visual Studio 2005 and .NET integration, including 50-70% code reduction for most scenarios.

* Reducing data management complexity and easing manageability.

These advances generate value by enabling business to accelerate their organizations growth while significantly reducing IT cost and complexity.

The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft or its respective suppliers cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication.

This white paper is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT AND ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.

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Contents

INTRODUCTION 3

ENTERPRISE DATA MANAGEMENT 3

INCREASED AVAILABILITY 3

SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS 3

IMPROVED MANAGEABILITY 3

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 3

REAL-TIME DATA ANALYSIS 3

SELF-SERVICE REPORTING 3

DEVELOPER PRODUCTIVITY 8

CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES 8

FAST RESPONSE TIMES FOR END USERS 9

REDUCED DEVELOPMENT TIME 9

CONCLUSION 11

TRUSTED PLATFORM 11

BETTER DECISIONS 11

FAST RESULTS 11

AUTHOR 12

APPENDIX - CASE STUDIES 13

Introduction

Companies take on many challenges when trying to implement data management solutions because of the proliferation of data and systems within their organizations, the need for reliable and secure access to data, and constant pressure to reduce spending and simplify the IT environment.

Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 is designed to address these challenges providing the next generation of integrated data management and analysis software that can help organizations:

* Deploy and manage mission-critical applications that provide 24/7 reliability and controlled, secure access.

* Deliver real-time business insight derived from sources across the organization through reports that can be customized by individual users.

* Develop new services and analysis capabilities cheaper and faster than ever before.

The customer evidence examples in this white paper highlight the significant business value that can be realized by upgrading to SQL Server 2005. This value was measured using standard financial metrics, such as net present value, internal rate of return, and payback.

The compelling business benefits as evidence by these customer examples include:

* Almost effortless upgrades from SQL Sever 2000 to SQL Server 2005

* Up to