SQL Server 2016 became generally available on June 1, as scheduled previously by Microsoft. Described as the “biggest leap forward in Microsoft data platform history” in a Microsoft Developer Network blog, the new release provides improvements in real-time operational analytics, visualizations on mobile devices, analytics, as well as new security technology and hybrid cloud scenarios.
According to Microsoft, SQL Server 2016 manages both relational and “beyond relational” (JSON, XML, Hadoop) data, integrates structured data with Hadoop data, and integrates on-premises data with cloud data, and is suited for mission-critical applications that deliver real-time operational intelligence by combining built-in advanced analytics and in-memory technology.
