An older version of Microsoft’s popular database software SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2 is losing support on July 9. If you haven’t updated away from the software, your organization’s IT is staring down a few very drastic problems. Today, we’ll go into your options with so little time left before the software’s support ends.

What is SQL Server?

SQL server is what is called a relational database management system (RDMS). It is used to manage the databases you use for your business. The applications your staff depends on for productivity typically need access to a database of available data. This data, typically stored in a database is defined within the database but is only available through a RDMS program. There are several types of RDMS servers on the market for all different types of uses. SQL Server has been updated numerous times in the 11 years since SQL Server 2008 was introduced and the nine since 2008 R2 launched, with all types of additions for new dataflows and cloud resources.

What Can You Do?

Microsoft suggests that each organization selects the modernization target that suits their needs, but with so little time left before SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 lose support, it may be difficult to sufficiently modernize before the deadline. One option that has been made clear by Microsoft is that companies that don’t want to (or can’t) move to a new version of the RDMS before the end of life date, will support the software for an additional three years if the server is virtualized into an Azure environment.

By migrating your SQL Server 2008 to the cloud (in Azure), Microsoft will continue to support your software through July 2022. This extended support gives organizations time to come up with a viable plan without having to move forward with unsupported software that could present a whole litany of security problems.

If you are staring at the July 9th deadline in the face with nowhere to turn, or you would like to know more about what options are available for RDMS hosting, call the IT professionals at COMPANYNAME today at PHONENUMBER.