Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Overview

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 is a cloud-ready information platform that will help organizations unlock breakthrough insights across the organization and quickly build solutions to extend data across on-premises and public cloud, backed by mission critical confidence.

Top SQL Server 2012 Features

• The 9s you need with AlwaysOn
• Blazing-fast query performance with ColumnStore Index
• Rapid data discovery via Power View and PowerPivot
• Credible, consistent data via BI Semantic Model and Data Quality Services
• Scale on demand from devices to datacenter to cloud
• Write applications once, run anywhere with SQL Server Data Tools.

Streamlined Installation

Take advantage of improvements to the service life cycle through the reengineering of the installation, setup, and configuration architecture. Standardize SQL Server 2012 configuration by separating it from the physical installation. Create a library of VHDs that are ready to be deployed when needed by using Sysprep in SQL Server 2012.

Server Consolidation

Reduce hardware and licensing costs up to 50 per cent through virtualization and consolidation. Consolidate databases onto fewer physical servers for higher resource optimization and management efficiencies, with up to four virtual machines per license and Hyper-V support. Create a library of VHDs that are ready to be deployed by using Sysprep in SQL Server 2012.

Enhanced Database Mirroring

Promote the availability of mission-critical workloads with enhanced support for synchronous and asynchronous database mirroring with automatic page repair and improved performance .

Failover Clustering

Support up to 16-node failover clusters. Take advantage of failover capabilities in the event of a CPU, memory, or other non-storage hardware failure by sharing disk access between nodes and restarting SQL Server 2012 on a working node.

For customers who are interested in SQL Server Enterprise Edition follow this link.