Following up on the “group” BBBT posting from the recent Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 release, I decided to write a “concurring opinion” on the SQLServer 2008 R2 announcement(s).
I liked what I saw from the web materials and “press releases” from Microsoft on SQLServer 2008 R2. However the briefing(s) and related materials didn’t bring those points to light.
Possunt Quia Posse Videntur
There are plenty of positive technical aspects to like ( … or hopefully like… ) about SQLServer 2008 R2. I like the Parallel Data Warehouse functionality for large data sets via the DataAllegro acquisition / Project Madison. Telecoms will embrace the ability to have a SQLServer “certified” appliance in the data center.
I also believe that the telecom industry will like, and embrace, the CEP aspects of SQLServer 2008 R2. As more and more of the Telecom industry moves toward automated processing for:
- Provisioning
- Activation
- Maintenance
Understanding how these processes and associated events relate to the bottom line will be key for both the business side and the IT side of an organization.
Errare Humanum Est
However, the apparent lack of “solutions” ( … or point-to-point integration mentioned in the ‘majority opinion’ … ) for SQLServer 2008 R2 show some of the errors of the Microsoft approach with this product.
Telecom IT departments are looking for ways to eliminate costs and streamline operations. I fear the “flexibility” in the lack of point-to-point integration solutions will ‘scare off some implementation teams in favor of more mature solutions. While these solutions may come from the Microsoft partner ecosystem, SQLServer 2008 R2 leaves some of those to the imagination…
And at the moment, telecom IT departments are looking for imaginative solutions and not blank slate technologies.
Verbum Sat Sapienti
I agree with Merv Adrain’s individual blog posting on SQLServer 2008 R2 when he said:
“There is a great deal going one in this release, far more than was discussed at the briefing. And Microsoft’s communications efforts will no doubt ramp up in the weeks ahead.”
For now, I will take Microsoft at their word on, but I would like to see more information in the coming weeks before the official launch.
