Our primary use case for SQL Azure is to operate our database.
Master of Information Technology at a individual & family service with 201-500 employees
Offers security verification and backup but the integration should be faster
Pros and Cons
- "The stability is good."
- "The initial setup was very complex."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The features I like most is that it offers a lot of securitt verification and backup from our side as well as from within SQL Azure.
What needs improvement?
Security can sometimes be a problem when it affects our business needs. It needs to integrate more security without stopping the service or our business. In some cases we have a lot of restriction on people who needs to use the database for whatever reason. We need more performance but in the same way we need more security - from the application and also in the Internet. The problem is therefore in the internet.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using the solution for two years now.
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Microsoft Azure SQL Database
January 2025
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is good at the moment. We are more dependable on the stability from the internet from our service provider. The solution is responsible for 99% of the stability, but most of our problems are due to our local internet provider.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is good. We have 100 users and one can upgrade the system by performance and by the size of the storage. You can move between different types of storage using block or docket. You can use any way you choose without losing data. So the scalability it is very good. We plan to increase our usage.
How are customer service and support?
We are planning to redo the assessment about whether more people should be involved in the technical support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was very complex. It is hard to explain, but the problem is when you have more than one service. We have only one service but the solution has multiple capabilities.
The deployment team installed the solution on one machine at a time, so it took very long. I chose a big database and within less than nine minutes I was able to collect data. So that was much faster.
What about the implementation team?
We used a vendor team and they have one or two guys who are responsible for the maintenance.
What other advice do I have?
When it comes to implementation, my advice would be to integrate between Microsoft platforms. I will rate it an eight out of ten as I would love to see faster integration.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
A user-friendly environment with good flexibility for adding modules or features
Pros and Cons
- "The solution effectively handles storing and maintaining information in databases."
- "The solution requires familiarity with its language so can be tricky."
What is our primary use case?
I use the solution for database maintenance.
What is most valuable?
The environment is user friendly and there is good flexibility for adding modules or features.
The solution effectively handles storing and maintaining information in databases.
What needs improvement?
The solution requires familiarity with its language so can be tricky. A simplified language would be appealing to users.
A more user-friendly format for certain modules is desired.
The application and interface can be a bit heavy to install.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for one year.
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 solution is scalable. It takes a bit of knowledge about the process but then is really easy.
How are customer service and support?
I have not needed technical support.
How was the initial setup?
The setup can be a bit of a challenge until you get used to it. Once you have familiarity with it, setup is okay and takes about 30 minutes.
What about the implementation team?
A colleague assisted me with implementation.
What other advice do I have?
I recommending using the solution because it is effective and user friendly.
I rate the solution a nine 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.
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Azure SQL Database
January 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure SQL Database. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2025.
832,138 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Consultant at SoftwareONE
Helpful support, scalable, and beneficial turning process
Pros and Cons
- "The backup solution in Azure is great, the firewall settings in SQL are very easy to use and work very well. Additionally, the turning process is very good and has improved the SQL services and queries."
- "SQL Azure could improve by adding more features."
What is our primary use case?
I have used SQL Azure for the backend tier application. If the customer has the flow change application with an application service, they will use the backend. I always suggest using SQL Server and Azure.
What is most valuable?
The backup solution in Azure is great, the firewall settings in SQL are very easy to use and work very well. Additionally, the turning process is very good and has improved the SQL services and queries.
What needs improvement?
SQL Azure could improve by adding more features.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used SQL Azure within the past 12 months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I have found SQL Azure to be stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of SQL Azure is very good.
How are customer service and support?
The support of SQL Azure is very good.
How was the initial setup?
The implementation of SQL Azure is simple.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others.
I rate SQL Azure a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Team Lead, Enterprise Computing Platforms at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
No admin overhead, stable, and scalable, but needs better pricing and compatibility with other vendors
Pros and Cons
- "We don't have to manage it much. It is managed by Microsoft, which makes it easy for us because there is no admin overhead for managing the servers. It is also easily scalable. During peak hours, it can scale higher."
- "We have a very small database running on SQL Azure. We have not been able to load bigger systems on it. It is still not something that is feasible. All our heavy-duty systems are on SAP, and it should have more compatibility with other vendors such as SAP. Its price can definitely be lower. It is pretty pricey."
What is most valuable?
We don't have to manage it much. It is managed by Microsoft, which makes it easy for us because there is no admin overhead for managing the servers.
It is also easily scalable. During peak hours, it can scale higher.
What needs improvement?
We have a very small database running on SQL Azure. We have not been able to load bigger systems on it. It is still not something that is feasible. All our heavy-duty systems are on SAP, and it should have more compatibility with other vendors such as SAP.
Its price can definitely be lower. It is pretty pricey.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using SQL Azure for about three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is easily scalable. We have five people who are working with this solution.
How are customer service and technical support?
Their technical support is very good for SQL Azure. Basically, based on my experience, we usually don't have any problem with support for Microsoft products. If we are seeking support for something like Linux or something that is not exactly a Microsoft product, it is a little disappointing.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Its price can definitely be lower. It is pretty pricey.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate SQL Azure a seven out of ten. It works like any other SQL database, and it is pretty good.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Data Architect at ACPAS Loan Management Software
Affordable, scalable, and stable with valuable Azure Portal
Pros and Cons
- "Azure Portal is most valuable."
- "Service Broker should be added in Azure Cloud. Service Broker is currently available only in the on-premises version."
What is our primary use case?
We are using it for processing financial transactions. We have its latest version.
What is most valuable?
Azure Portal is most valuable.
What needs improvement?
Service Broker should be added in Azure Cloud. Service Broker is currently available only in the on-premises version.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable. We have six users and two people in our technical team for its deployment.
How are customer service and technical support?
I haven't used their support. I have only used the online material, and that's complete.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We used PostgreSQL, which was on-premises.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It requires a license. As compared to its competitors, such as Oracle, it is affordable and reasonable.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others. I would rate SQL Azure a nine 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.
Sr. Technical Architect - Business Intelligence / Data Warehouse at a computer software company with 1,001-5,000 employees
User-friendly, stable, and PolyBase makes it easier to work with
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is PolyBase."
- "I feel that the price is high and it could be reduced."
What is our primary use case?
We are using SQL Server both on Azure and in a Spark environment, on-premises.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is PolyBase.
The product is very user-friendly.
What needs improvement?
I feel that the price is high and it could be reduced.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have more than 14 years of experience in the Microsoft Data Warehouse platform.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
SQL Azure is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This is a very scalable product.
I am the only person in my company who uses it.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have not been in contact with technical support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward and I don't find it complex.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I am happy with this product and I recommend it.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
General Manager/MVP at Yotta Infrastructure Solutions LLP
A simpler database than its competitors
Pros and Cons
- "SQL is a simpler database. We use it more than other databases."
- "The price is a little higher."
What is most valuable?
We use it for a few databases that are deployed for our own purposes.
SQL is a simpler database. We use it more than other databases.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SQL Azure for three to four months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We haven't had any issues with performance.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
There are only three users who use it. Once we are more comfortable we will give it to more users. My technology team uses it.
How are customer service and technical support?
Microsoft technical support is good.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing is reasonable for a big enterprise. The price is a little higher. It should have a 20% discount.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate SQL Azure an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
IT Manager at SIMOPARMA PACKAGING ITALIA SRL
Very collaborative, good stability, and no issues with the solution after two yeas of use
Pros and Cons
- "The stability of the solution is very good."
- "The pricing is very high."
What is most valuable?
We like the collaborative nature of the solution. It's the most valuable aspect of the solution.
The stability of the solution is very good.
What needs improvement?
The availability of resources could be improved.
The solution needs to offer online training to help improve the capacity of teams to manage the SQL.
The pricing is very high.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for two years so far.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We haven't had any issues with the stability of the solution. There aren't bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable for us.
How are customer service and technical support?
We haven't had any issues with the solution, therefore, we haven't required any technical support. I can't speak to the quality of technical support as I've never dealt with them.
What about the implementation team?
In the beginning, we decided to use a specialist to configure all the systems for us and the solution is almost perfect.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price is very high, especially when you compare it to other solutions. There aren't extra costs, however. All fees are included in the licensing package.
What other advice do I have?
We're simply customers. We don't have any professional relationship with Azure.
I would recommend the solution. It's great.
I'd rate the solution nine out of ten. I'd give it perfect marks if the pricing was more reasonable and if they offered better learning tools to guide our staff.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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