Recently I had to think a bit to help a client migrate the SQL databases without SQL HA, replication or logshipping. In order to resolve the issue, I came up with a script to continuously restore the latest log files as they are done in 5-minute internvals. One T-SQL script. Zero SQL Agent jobs required. It runs forever and keeps your standby database fresh to the last committed transaction.

The wait is over. Yesterday at Microsoft Ignite, Satya Nadella and the SQL team announced the general availability of SQL Server 2025. After a solid run through preview (private in late 2024, public since May), it's now production-ready and available for download. Here's the thing: this isn't just another version bump. SQL Server 2025 is a pivot. It's Microsoft's bet that your next wave of value comes from AI—but only if your data foundation is rock solid.

AI only works when your data house is in order. Start with a clear data strategy and a modern data platform (think Microsoft Fabric, SQL Server 2025, Azure + Azure AI Foundry). Get governance, quality, and pipelines right first—then your AI projects move faster, cost less, and actually land value. The hype is real—but the foundations matter From Sandton boardrooms to Cape Town startups, AI is everywhere.

Top features in Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Release Candidate 1 (RC1)—from AI-driven vector search and hybrid cloud integration to advanced security and performance improvements. Learn how businesses can leverage these innovations. Why SQL Server 2025 RC1 Is a Game-Changer Microsoft has officially released SQL Server 2025 RC1, and it’s more than just an update—it’s a leap into the AI-driven data era…

Introduction Hey there, data enthusiasts! If you’re diving into the world of Microsoft Fabric—Microsoft’s all-in-one analytics platform—you’ve likely realized how powerful it is for unifying data engineering, data science, real-time analytics, and business intelligence. Built on the foundation of OneLake, Fabric is a game-changer for organizations looking to streamline their data operations. But as with any powerful tool, keeping it running smoothly requires solid monitoring.

By Jody Roberts, Microsoft MVP and Microsoft Business Executive at Silicon Overdrive Introduction For over three decades, SQL Server has been the backbone of enterprise data management, evolving from a simple relational database to a comprehensive data platform. Today, I'm excited to share my analysis of SQL Server 2025, Microsoft's most ambitious database release yet. One of the most exciting new capabilities of SQL Server 2025 is the integration of AI directly into the database engine, enabling more intelligent search, marking a fundamental shift in how we approach data management and application development.

Why a 360° Customer View Is No Longer Optional In today’s hyper-competitive landscape, customer expectations are sky-high. They expect every interaction—whether it’s a support call, a marketing email, or a product recommendation—to be informed by their full history with your brand. This is only possible with a 360-degree customer view: a unified, real-time understanding of each customer across all touchpoints.

The Microsoft Fabric Community Conference is back for its third year—and we’re bringing everything and everybody you’ve loved at past events with us to Atl...

In enterprise IT, cloud migration is rarely a binary decision. Most organizations need a phased, low-risk approach that preserves operational continuity while unlocking the benefits of the cloud. The Link feature for Azure SQL Managed Instance (MI) is designed precisely for this purpose. This feature enables near real-time, secure, and consistent replication from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance…

Microsoft has unveiled a series of exciting updates in the world of SQL and data management, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and AI-driven solutions. Here’s a breakdown of the key announcements. SQL Server 2025: AI-Ready Database At Microsoft Build 2025, SQL Server 2025 was introduced in public preview, bringing major enhancements in AI integration, performance, and reliability. This version allows users to integrate AI models seamlessly, whether hosted on-premises or in the cloud.

By Jody Roberts, Microsoft MVP and Microsoft Business Executive at Silicon Overdrive IntroductionFor decades, businesses have relied on Microsoft SQL Server to power mission-critical applications and manage vast amounts of data. However, maintaining on-premises SQL Server environments is increasingly challenging due to rising infrastructure costs, scalability limitations, and the complexity of ensuring security and compliance. Enter Azure SQL Managed Instance—a fully managed, intelligent, and scalable cloud database service that combines the best of SQL Server with the flexibility of Azure.