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What Is SQL Server?

SQL Server delivers on Microsoft’s Data Platform vision by helping your organization manage any data, any place, any time. Store data from structured, semi-structured, and unstructured documents, such as images and rich media, directly within the database. SQL Server delivers a rich set of integrated services that enable you to do more with your data such as query, search, synchronize, report, and analyze.

SQL Server provides the highest levels of security, reliability, and scalability for your business-critical applications. To take advantage of new opportunities in today's fast-moving business world, companies need the ability to create and deploy data-driven solutions quickly. SQL Server reduces time and cost of management and development of applications.

Access data from across your enterprise and provide control over your data no matter where it’s stored—from the largest servers within the data center to desktops to mobile devices. SQL Server provides a comprehensive platform that delivers intelligence where your users want it. Information workers can access data directly using the tools they use every day, such as the 2007 Microsoft Office system.

SQL Server enables data to be consumed from custom applications developed using Microsoft .NET and Visual Studio and from within service-oriented architectures (SOA) and business processes through Microsoft BizTalk Server.

The SQL Server data engine lies at the core of this enterprise data management solution. In addition to providing support for relational databases or XML, SQL Server combines the best in analysis, reporting, integration, and notification. This enables your team to build and deploy cost-effective BI solutions with which they can drive data into every corner of your business through scorecards, dashboards, Web services, and mobile devices.

Close integration with Microsoft Visual Studio, the Microsoft Office System, and a suite of new development tools, including the Business Intelligence Development Studio, sets SQL Server apart. Whether you are a developer, database administrator, information worker, or decision maker, SQL Server provides innovative solutions that help you gain more value from your data—whether stored in a relational database or XML data format.