SQL Server 2008 enables you to store data from structured, semi-structured, and unstructured documents, such as images and music, directly within the database. SQL Server 2008 delivers a rich set of integrated services that enable you to do more with your data such as query, search, synchronise, report, and analyse.
Usage Scenarios Comparison (see Enterprise Edition):
Protect Your Data Dynamically encrypt your valuable data within an entire database, data files, or log files, without the need for application changes. Simplify increasing regulatory compliance by using the advanced data auditing abilities of SQL Server 2008. Minimize exposure to security attacks by using the SQL Server Configuration Manager to enable only the services you require and Policy-Based Management to enable only the features you require.
Ensure Business Continuity Seamlessly increase the reliability of applications with Database Mirroring. Simplify the recovery of applications from storage failures. Transfer operational data between the active operational systems and backup systems. Add system resources, like CPU and memory, without affecting applications.
Provide Predictable Response Ensure consistent performance by using Resource Governor to define resource limits and priorities for different workloads and enable consistent performance. Reduce your storage costs and improve performance of large I/O bound workloads by using data compression.
Spend Less Time on Operations Manage your enterprise data infrastructure easily with Policy- Based Management. Reduce the time spent on daily maintenance operations by defining a common set of policies for most database operations like query optimizations, naming conventions, backup and restore operations, and index management. Apply policies to many servers for consistent management across the enterprise. Enable Performance System Analysis by collecting performance data from your system and storing it in a centralized data repository. View reports to benchmark and analyze system performance and health.
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