SQL Denali CTP available for download

The first CTP of the successor of SQL Server 2008 R2, codename SQL 'Denali' is available for download. It contains a lot new stuff. Keep in mind SQL server isn't just a database, it is an entire information platform by making use of SharePoint server. The need for a SharePoint installation can be a challenge for the companies with do not have or a very small ICT department.

Here is a short list of new high level topics:

• Project codename “Crescent”, a web-based, data visualization and presentation solution, and follow-on to the PowerPivot technology that is part of SQL Server 2008 R2
• Project codename “Apollo”, new column-store database technology aiming to provide greater query performance
• SQL Server AlwaysOn, a new high-availability “solution that will deliver “increased application availability, lower TCO (total cost of ownership) and ease of use
• Project codename “Juneau”, a single development environment for developing database, business intelligence (BI) and web solutions
• SQL Server Data Quality Services (based on technology from Microsoft’s 2008 Zoomix acquisition)
• Other data integration and management tools

My personal favorites are:

• Project codename 'Crescent'. This will help the people in the board room to easily analyze and play with the data they are looking at.
• Project codename 'Apollo'. Performance is one of my specialties in SQL Server. For every new SQL version I look forward to the improvements on performance. This new column-store database technology will indeed improve the performance of your datawarehouse significantly.

Another important thing to mention: No big compatibility issues are expected as we have had in the past from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005. This will make it easy to upgrade to a the new version with you current SQL Server databases.
If you are interested to look around in the CTP version, you can download it here

Enjoy testing this new version.