Sumeet  Zalpuri - PeerSpot reviewer
Data engineer at ASR Nederland N.V.
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
The restoration of data is very easy compared to any other database
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is very intuitive and easy to use."
  • "The performance degrades when the data is huge."

What is our primary use case?

We extracted data from SAP and stored it in SQL Server. We created a connection between the Data Services Server and the SQL Server. If anything went wrong, there were SQL Server experts who took care of everything. So, we extracted data from our ERP system and stored it in SQL Server.

What is most valuable?

Whenever we had to restore the data, it was not as difficult as restoring the database to any other RDBMS. The restoration of data is very easy compared to any other database. The solution is very intuitive and easy to use. It is one of the best relational database systems in the market. The restore and backup strategy was not complicated. The ease of use was excellent compared to any other databases.

What needs improvement?

The performance degrades when the data is huge. It also degrades when there is a flux of data.

For how long have I used the solution?

I used the solution for four to five years.

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The tool is stable. I rate the stability a seven out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The tool is pretty scalable. We had 100 users in our organization. We can scale the tool vertically and horizontally.

What other advice do I have?

SQL Server is the best database when the data is not huge or when we know that the data is coming in at a specific rate. I rate the integration of the product with SAP BusinessObjects Data Services nine out of ten. It is easy. We did not come across any issues or delays. Every organization uses Microsoft. SQL Server is one of the oldest RDBMSs on the market. It is easy to use and intuitive. A lot of people know about it. The ease of use is greater than any other server in the market. Overall, I rate the solution an eight and a half out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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MakhosonkeMatshoba - PeerSpot reviewer
ESM Specialist at LetsCloudIT
Real User
Top 5
Synchronization of nodes is very useful and there is no downtime for maintenance needs
Pros and Cons
  • "It's great that the nodes are synchronized so if you lose one it automatically moves to another."
  • "Could have additional security."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution to store our data and for running queries, simple select queries that enable me to create the views I need and report from those views. I'm an ESM specialist and we are customers of SQL Server. 

What is most valuable?

I like the stability of the solution, the fact that you have two, three, four nodes replicating at any given time at different locations, and they're all synchronized; if one is lost it automatically moves to another. The other advantage here is that when it comes to application maintenance, you switch onto another node while you maintain another server and there's no downtime. 

What needs improvement?

The solution could have additional security. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is easily scalable because of its flexibility.

How was the initial setup?

I don't do the installation, but it appears straightforward according to those who carried out the implementation. These days deployment takes about an hour. We have 1,200 or so users. With the onboarding of more customers, we'll be increasing our use of SQL Server. For now, we have one person dealing with maintenance. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate this solution nine out of 10. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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SQL Server
March 2024
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Craig Kona - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Information Officer at SYNOVA CONSULTANCT
Real User
Top 5
High performance, setup straightforward, but priced high
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of SQL Server is the performance."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use SQL Server for developing systems.

    What is most valuable?

    The most valuable feature of SQL Server is the performance.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using SQL Server for years.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    We have approximately three people who are using this solution.

    How are customer service and support?

    The technical support from Microsoft has been good.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup of SQL Server is straightforward.

    What about the implementation team?

    We have two administrators that did the implementation of the solution.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The price of SQL Server could be reduced, the license is expensive. We have an annual subscription.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would recommend SQL Server to others.

    I rate SQL Server a seven out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Public Cloud
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Sundaresan Subramanyan - PeerSpot reviewer
    Founder and Managing Director at Analytic Brains Technologies Private Limited
    Real User
    Feature-rich databases and user-friendly interface
    Pros and Cons
    • "SQL Server's Management Studio is very user friendly. I like their database and the additional features it offers. It's also easy to integrate SQL Server with things like CLR, PowerShell, and command shell"
    • "I would like to see SQL Server add the ability to write to multiple sites or support replication between multiple sites at the transaction level."

    What is our primary use case?

    SQL Server can be useful for a lot of businesses and enterprise solutions. SQL Server is very powerful and useful when you need to store, retrieve, process, and analyze a large amount of data. In my organization, almost everyone uses SQL Server. That's about 10 people using it.

    What is most valuable?

    SQL Server's Management Studio is very user-friendly. I like their database and the additional features it offers. It's also easy to integrate SQL Server with things like CLR, PowerShell, and command shell

    What needs improvement?

    I would like to see SQL Server add the ability to write to multiple sites or support replication between multiple sites at the transaction level. If we can have data available on multiple sites as quickly as possible, that would be a great feature.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I've been using SQL Server for around 10 years. I have 30 years of experience in the IT industry. In that time, I have worked on different kinds of databases, such as Oracle. Before that, I worked on FoxPro. I have also worked with PostgreSQL.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    It's absolutely scalable. 

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Our clients are the end-users of the SQL Server applications, and we do all the development and maintenance for them. So anything related to support, our clients take care of it.

    How was the initial setup?

    I work on the development and performance-tuning side, so I don't do the installation but my guess would be that it is pretty straightforward by now. 

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I am not aware of the cost because our clients take care of them, but I think there are enterprise licenses. If you go for Azure Cloud databases, then you just can pay as you go.

    What other advice do I have?

    SQL Server is my favorite database. Because I've been working on it for so many years, I like it. I have only good things to say about it. I would rate SQL Server nine out of 10.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
    PeerSpot user
    Managing Partner at Bizz Advisers SRL
    Real User
    Stores and retrieves data requested by other applications
    Pros and Cons
    • "I haven't really experienced any issues that required the assistance of technical support."
    • "The ability to connect with other environments needs to be improved."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use this solution to manage our database and store information. I use another platform for more specific needs.

    Within our organization, there are roughly 10-12 employees using this solution. 

    What needs improvement?

    SQL Server consumes a lot of resources. You need to keep an eye on the number of resources involved. It expands and uses all of the memory available on the server. For this reason, I install it on separate machines.

    Also, the ability to connect with other environments needs to be improved. 

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using SQL Server for nearly 10 years.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Scalability-wise, it's okay.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    I haven't really experienced any issues that required the assistance of technical support. 

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    I also use MySQL — the open-source version. I started using SQL Server because we required some special functionality for a specific project. 

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup was not complicated. You can do it without any external support. 

    What about the implementation team?

    I installed the entire solution myself within 20-50 minutes.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The price could always be lower. 

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    I evaluated Oracle, but I didn't like it — I prefer Microsoft. 

    What other advice do I have?

    I would absolutely recommend this solution to others. Overall, on a scale from one to ten, I would give this solution a rating of eight. 

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Girish Vijay - PeerSpot reviewer
    Deputy Manager IT at Carl Bechem Lubricants India Pvt. Ltd.
    Real User
    Top 5
    Users can quickly and efficiently retrieve a large amount of records from a database
    Pros and Cons
    • "The latest version supports for big data analytics. SQL Server's vector processing-based batch execution mode is now available to the entire execution of R or Python code. Since much of the work that tends to be done in R and Python involves aggregation, batch mode - which processes rows of data several at a time, can be very helpful."
    • "CAL licenses should cost less. Microsoft usually prices high for client access licenses. Server plus user client access license (CAL) licensing requires a separate Server license for each server on which the software is installed, plus a user CAL for each user accessing the server."

    What is our primary use case?

    ERP Database.

    Using the SQL queries, the user can quickly and efficiently retrieve a large number of records from a database. In standard SQL, it is very easy to manage the database system. It doesn't require a substantial amount of code to manage the database system. Long established are used by the SQL databases that are being used by ISO and ANSI. Using the SQL language, the users can make different views of the database structure.SQL has a difficult interface that makes few users uncomfortable while dealing with the database.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Microsoft database is very user friendly. This new version of SQL Server continues to meet these twin demands. It adds new features from the worlds of data science and NoSQL. It offers cross-platform capabilities and Docker container compatibility. But it also reinforces its investment in core database engine performance, ease of index maintenance, high availability, and data warehouse performance. That's a difficult balance and one that other database vendors don't have to meet. While this may be Microsoft's cross to bear, the company does pretty well with it, turning a formidable challenge into a positive market differentiator.

    What is most valuable?

    The latest version supports for big data analytics. SQL Server's vector processing-based batch execution mode is now available to the entire execution of R or Python code. Since much of the work that tends to be done in R and Python involves aggregation, batch mode - which processes rows of data several at a time, can be very helpful. Two other new batch mode features, memory grant feedback, and adaptive joins will enhance SQL Server's performance and efficiency as well. It is good to move from Microsoft to deal with big data analytics

    What needs improvement?

    CAL licenses should cost less. Microsoft usually prices high for client access licenses. Server plus user client access license (CAL) licensing requires a separate Server license for each server on which the software is installed, plus a user CAL for each user accessing the server. A SQL Server CAL is required for a user to access or use the services or functionality of either edition of SQL Server and frequent updates to the latest versions will lead to obsolete and discontinuing the security patches has to be improved.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    Since two years

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    Very good stability with 250-300 users.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    This product can withstand with 250-300 users.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Very good.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    SQL standard 2008.

    How was the initial setup?

    Straightforward - no complexity.

    What about the implementation team?

    Vendor team with an in-house team.

    What was our ROI?

    2 years.

    What other advice do I have?

    It is an overall very good product.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Senior General Manager at Worly Plumbing Supply, Inc.
    Real User
    Easy to use and provides good speed and data recovery
    Pros and Cons
    • "Agent service is a good feature of SQL Server, where you can schedule certain tasks."
    • "SQL Server is an expensive solution"

    What is our primary use case?

    Most of our clients use SQL Server as a back-end source.

    What is most valuable?

    Agent service is a good feature of SQL Server, where you can schedule certain tasks. The solution's encryption feature allows the data to be encrypted while transferring from one place to another. The solution's performance and speed are also good. Indexing and Magic Tables are very good features of SQL Server. We have a different transition style with the solution.

    What needs improvement?

    SQL Server is an expensive solution, and its pricing should be reduced.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using SQL Server for 18 years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    SQL Server is a highly stable solution.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The solution’s performance and scalability are very good. Our clients for SQL Server are enterprise businesses.

    I rate the solution a 9 out of 10 for scalability.

    How was the initial setup?

    The solution’s initial setup is easy.

    What about the implementation team?

    The solution can be deployed within a few minutes.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    SQL Server is an expensive solution.

    On a scale from 1 to 10, when one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a 9 out of 10.

    What other advice do I have?

    The solution has a good data recovery feature. There are a lot of ways you can recover data. You can manage the recovery, resilience, and disaster management with SQL Server. I would recommend SQL Server to other users because it's easy to use, stable, and has a lot of features. The solution is suitable for different types of companies as per the requirement, including small, medium, and large enterprises.

    Overall, I rate the solution 10 out of 10.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Hybrid Cloud
    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
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    PeerSpot user
    Chief ICT Officer at Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union Ltd
    Real User
    Top 5
    A scalable and stable solution that works as a database for applications
    Pros and Cons
    • "The tool helps us by being available always."
    • "The tool is expensive."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use the product as a database for the applications. 

    How has it helped my organization?

    The tool helps us by being available always. 

    What is most valuable?

    We don't encounter any issues with the solution. 

    What needs improvement?

    The tool is expensive.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using the product for the last ten years. 

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The solution is stable. 

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The tool is scalable. 

    How was the initial setup?

    The tool is easy to install. 

    What was our ROI?

    We have seen ROI with the tool's use. 

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I would rate the tool's pricing a six out of ten. It is not extremely cheap but also it's not the most expensive product. 

    What other advice do I have?

    I would rate the product an eight out of ten. 

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
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