SQL Server 2016 is the foundation of an intelligent data platform for a mobile first, cloud first world. Our cloud-first product development model means that new features are initially previewed and hardened at scale in the cloud, delivering breakthrough performance for mission critical applications and deeper insights on customers’ data across on-premises and cloud. Plus, it offers common development and management tools and common Transact-SQL (T-SQL) on-premises and in the cloud.

What are the benefits of developing and running SQL Server 2016 in Azure?
Our rapid release in the cloud has enabled us to offer a new monthly Community Technology Preview of new on-premises capabilities to customers. In addition, SQL Server 2016 has new features like Stretch Database that can help users gain the benefits of hyper-scale cloud in the box. As core transactional tables grow in size, customers may need to archive historical data to maintain fast transactional performance. This allows customers to dynamically stretch cold transactional data to Azure, so their operational data is always at hand, no matter the size. Plus, Azure dramatically reduces storage costs.

What are the top new features for enterprise users?
SQL Server 2016 is packed with powerful built-in features including Always Encrypted, which protects data at rest and in motion and Stretch Database, which allows customers to dynamically stretch cold transactional data to Azure.

It will also feature new in-database analytics with R integration, while SQL Server Analysis Services and SQL Server Reporting Services improvements will deliver business insights faster and boost productivity for BI analysts.

What new security features has Microsoft added to SQL Server?
Data security is top of mind, especially for mission critical applications, so we’ve introduced Always Encrypted to help customers remain compliant when using SQL Server on-premises or in the cloud. Based on Microsoft Research technology, Always Encrypted helps to protect data at rest and in motion. Using Always Encrypted, SQL Server can perform operations on encrypted data and the encryption key resides with the application in customers’ trusted environments. Encryption and decryption happens transparently inside the application, minimising the changes that need to be made to existing applications.

Share this story