7 Top Reasons To Use Azure SQL Database in 2021 [List]

Microsoft Azure SQL Features

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There are multiple database services available to your business, but very few can offer the wide range of features or meet your flexible business requirements as Azure SQL Database.

» LEARN MORE: See Why Azure Makes The Difference Both in Performance & Costs

In 2020, Azure SQL Database was voted as one of the top 3 databases for business at the DB-Engines Database of the Year awards. 

This was the first time ever any cloud database service received the accolade.

In this article, I will look at why Azure provides one of the best database services in the world, and why you should consider adding the technology to your business.

Reason #1: No Physical Machines

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The days when you needed to have your own data center with costly servers are long gone with Azure SQL Database, leaving you free to realign your business organization to better suit your needs. 

Since Microsoft manages the servers, you do not need specialists in your teams for physical maintenance and upkeep. 

You will not see any downtime even when Microsoft performs their own maintenance, as the database stores your data in multiple different servers and locations.

Reason #2: Ease of Technical Use

Different database technologies come with their own versions of SQL, the common language used in programming and designed for managing data. Even for the most experienced database administrators it can be hard to keep up with all of the unique features in each new database.

Azure SQL is extremely easy to pick up for those who have used other directories. 

From a technical standpoint, Azure SQL is similar to working with Microsoft SQL Server, a popular technology most developers working in this field will be familiar with. This means that you should have no problem hiring staff who can work with this system if ever in need.

Reason #3: Reducing Costs and Overhead

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With so many types of data available, Azure can handle them all.

Many businesses switch to Azure SQL Database purely to reduce costs, as is up to 86% cheaper than its competitors. With Azure you can easily upgrade (or downgrade) the database resource plan according to your specific needs.

You will be charged for the storage provided depending on the maximum database size you select. 

This cost doesn’t change unless you reduce or increase that maximum, making scalability one of its most important money-saving characteristics.

Without the need to purchase any hardware or to change the underlying infrastructure, moving to Azule will save your business money without compromising on quality.

Reason #4: Variety of Data

The traditional method of storing data in relational databases is to have large tables of data full of numbers. As computers have become more complex, software developers have created new types of databases to store other non-relational data such as graphs and documents.

Azure SQL Database can store and process both types of data, making it popular among a vast number of businesses. This feature removes the need to change the database every time there’s a change in the type of data used.

Reason #5: Top-Notch Data Security

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Whether you are storing personal data or customer assets, it is important that you have sufficient security to protect it.

Microsoft Azure SQL Database offers high security options for a cloud database. 

There are four layers of protection to the Azure database, each protecting your data against a different kind of threat. This sits on top of Microsoft’s Always Encrypted feature which ensures data encryption by default.

Since one of the top technology companies in the world developed these features, you can count on them staying ahead of the game.

Reason #6: Easy-To-Use Migration Tools

If your business is already operational, you will need a migration tool to move from your existing database to Azure. Microsoft provides several step-by-step data guides to help you move to Azure SQL Server. It’s easy to find tools and services to help you with the switch.

Reason #7: Global Compliance

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As well as ensuring your data security, Azure SQL Server has more than 90 compliance certifications to cover your compliance needs across the whole world. This includes compliance in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, China, India, and Japan.

The database service also has compliance offerings for key industries including government, healthcare, and communications. You can rest assured of meeting all compliance criteria to sign those contracts and expand your business.

Why Use Azure SQL Database?

There are several reasons as why you would want to use Azure SQL Database, one of the top 3 database services available. Whatever your business, if you need a database then Azure is what you’re looking for. From accessing its servers anywhere, to unrivaled security and low costs, not many choices are as good as Azure.

Originally published Apr 30 2021

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Azure SQL Database?

Azure SQL Database is a cloud-computing database service (Database as a Service), that is offered by Microsoft Azure Platform. It helps to store and use a relational SQL database in the cloud without needing any hardware or software installation.

What are the features of Azure SQL Database?

The top 4 features of the Azure SQL Database are: 1- scalability, 2- security, 3- business consistency features, and; 4- built-in intelligence which learns database patterns.

How is Azure SQL different from SQL?

In a SQL server, relational databases are the only entity on the database server, but in SQL Azure, a single database can host databases from different customers. In other words, AzureSQL shares its physical resources with all clients who use that service.