REDMOND, Wash., -- Dec. 3, 2004 -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced the availability of the second Community Technology Preview (CTP) for Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2005 and the technical preview availability of SQL Server 2005 Express Manager, a new, free database management tool. In addition, Microsoft unveiled new customers that chose SQL Server over the competition including DPF Data Services Group, Grand Expeditions Inc., Greater Vancouver Regional District and Manulife Financial Corp. to increase operational efficiency and maximize their return on information technology (IT) investments.
Beta Testing Begins for Second SQL Server 2005 CTP, Express Manager
The second SQL Server 2005 CTP is now available to all MSDN® and Betaplace subscribers. A CTP is an interim build that provides the community with the ability to test and experiment with new features as they are added to SQL Server 2005. In addition to many quality and performance enhancements, this CTP will introduce 64-bit support for SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services and SQL Server 2005 Integration Services on top of the 64-bit support already included for the database engine.
Also available today is the technical preview of the SQL Server 2005 Express Manager. Designed to be easy to use, the SQL Server 2005 Express Manager provides features to simplify, automate and reduce the complexity of database support and administration. Built on top of the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0., SQL Server 2005 Express Manager can be used to manage SQL Server 2000, SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000) and SQL Server 2005 Developer and Express Edition databases on local and remote computers. The SQL Server 2005 Express Manager will be available later today for download from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads , Betaplace and MSDN.
"We're encouraged by the success of the CTP program for SQL Server 2005. The response has been impressive, and we are excited to be able to offer another update to our customers today," said Paul Flessner, senior vice president for SQL Server at Microsoft. "We're seeing that more and more people are moving to SQL Server because of its low cost, enterprise data management capabilities and integrated business intelligence (BI). We're confident that programs like the CTP will help us build a better product and encourage other customers to make the switch to SQL Server."
Customers are choosing Microsoft's flagship database product over competing solutions to increase operational efficiency and maximize their return on IT investments. SQL Server 2000 provides customers with a complete database platform with integrated BI, development and management tools that are available at no additional charge for customers. Specifically, DPF Data, Grand Expeditions, Greater Vancouver Regional District and Manulife join a long list of customers that are gaining a strategic IT advantage through investments in SQL Server and the Microsoft platform.
Multiple industry reports indicate that more customers are moving away from competing database vendors such as IBM Corp., Oracle Corp. and Sybase Inc. These customers are realizing dramatic increases in efficiency and return on their technology investments, while building competitive advantage in their respective industries.
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