Microsoft Releases SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 4

Microsoft today announced that the final service pack for SQL Server 2012 is now available for download.

The latest official release for the half-decade-old version of Microsoft's database management system includes a rollup of all hotfixes released over the years and focuses on scalability and performance improvements, especially on newer hardware. 

The final service pack also includes:

• Enhancements to dynamic management views (DMV), extended events, and query plans to provide additional monitoring capabilities.
• Consistency check performance improvements.
• Increased diagnostic tools in showplan XML.
• Resource Governor query hints, which Microsoft said will provide increased granular control.
• Performance improvements when accessing XEL files in the XEvent Linq reader.
• Database cloning, which will copy the schema and metadata (without the actual data) for troubleshooting.
• Spatial queries performance improvements.

Microsoft To Deliver Monthly Feature Updates to SQL Server 2017

Microsoft announced this week that a faster update release pace will be coming to its newly announced SQL Server 2017 product.

Microsoft unveiled SQL Server 2017 this week at its Ignite event, indicating that new database management system will be generally available on Oct. 2 of this year. On Thursday, Microsoft described the update approach it plans to adopt with SQL Server 2017, in an announcement.

Read More at https://redmondmag.com/articles/2017/09/29/sql-server-2017-monthly-feature-updates.aspx

In-database Machine Learning in SQL Server 2017

With the release of SQL Server 2017, now you have an option of In-Database machine learning capabilities.
Read more at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/dataplatforminsider/2017/09/26/in-database-machine-learning-in-sql-server-2017/

Microsoft Announces SQL Server 2017 Launch

Last week at the Microsoft Ignite conference, Microsoft announced that SQL Server 2017 will be generally available on Oct. 2. This comes only 15 months or so after launching SQL Server 2016. Microsoft's rapid development means more frequent releases, which delivers more value to customers who pay for Software Assurance (SA). It also means that more features are delivered more frequently, which aligns to their Azure SQL Database platform, which is usually updated on a monthly basis.

Read more at https://redmondmag.com/articles/2017/09/25/microsoft-launches-sql-server-2017.aspx

Five Technologies Microsoft 'Ignited' this Week

Microsoft announced updates and improvements across its products and services at its annual Ignite conference this week in Orlando. Cloud storage functionalities took precedence, but the major tech company did not cast off its software foundation..
Here are five major technologies Microsoft is upgrading:

1. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
2. Azure cloud
3. Office 2019
4. Microsoft 365 F1
5. Microsoft Teams


SQL server 2017 includes advanced ML within the database service, and the newest iteration of Azure Machine Learning launches experimentation service, model management service and a workbench for developers and data scientists, according to an announcement. Microsoft is extending AI in Office and Windows, and the tech will serve as the foundation of new intelligent virtual agents for customer service and interaction.

Read more at http://www.ciodive.com/news/5-technologies-microsoft-ignited-this-week/505953/