SQL Server 2008 Unleashed at Microsoft, Reading

I was really lucky to get on a waitlist for this event and relieved to actually get invited in the end.  It was a good day with some really interesting presentations, some gearing up for SQL Bits III.

The SQL Server UK Product Managers were both fun and lively and kept everything going really with an abundance of enthusiasm.

What amazed me was the number of changes and improvements to SQL Server.  I think Microsoft have been really clever here.  They’re selling SQL Server 2008 as nothing more than a Service Pack upgrade to 2005.  When in reality they’ve got some great new features that will benefit a lot of shops.  Maybe they’re trying to encourage users to switch and reduce their angst in upgrade woes?  Maybe, maybe not.  Either way, there are some great new features on many, many levels.  Enterprise Management for a start.  Microsoft are really starting to think of multiple SQL Server installations, and it’s about time, this area has been neglected for far too long.