14 DAY TRIAL // Today, Microsoft made the RTM version of its SQL Server 2012 available for download, following the availability of the RC0 version since November last year.
The Microsoft SQL Server 2012 arrives as a cloud-ready information platform aimed at providing organizations with the possibility to easily build compelling solutions and expand data across on-premises and public cloud. Moreover, the platform arrives with support for capabilities that are for mission critical confidence.
Additionally, Microsoft announced the availability of an RTM version of its Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Feature Pack, nothing more than a collection of stand-alone packages that offer some more value for Microsoft SQL Server 2012.
Through it, Microsoft offers access to the latest version of tool and components for Microsoft SQL Server 2012, as well as to new flavors of add-on providers for Microsoft SQL Server 2012.
Some of the main capabilities and features of SQL Server 2012 include:
Greater availability. Deliver the required 9s and data protection with AlwaysOn, delivering added functionality over CTP1 that allows customers to experience even more of the flexibility and value.
Breakthrough insight. Unlock new insights with rapid data exploration across the organization with Power View, available to customers for the first time.
Credible, consistent data. Provide a consistent view across heterogeneous data sources with the BI Semantic Model (BISM) a single model for Business Intelligence applications. Make data quality apart of everyday life with the Master Data Services add-in for Excel and new Data Quality Services that is integrated with 3rd party data providers through Windows Azure Marketplace Datamarket. Customers can test this functionality for the first time.
Productive development experience. Optimize IT and developer productivity across server and cloud with Data-tier Application Component (DAC) parity with SQL Azure and SQL Server Data Tools for a unified and modern development experience across database, BI, and cloud functions. Additionally, Express customers can test a new LocalDB version for fast, zero-configuration installation.
The RTM version of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 will be followed by the final release on April 1st. It was intended as an evaluation flavor of the product, available for all customers and partners.
The new Microsoft SQL Server 2012 RTM was made available for download in the form of an ISO file. It can be found on Softpedia as well, via this link. Additional details on the new release, as well as access to web installers are available via Microsoft’s website.
In addition to the new release, Microsoft announced a preview of an Apache Hadoop-based service on Windows Azure, set to become available in the first half of 2012.