Microsoft steps up SQL Server 2005 migration campaign

Partners urged to talk to customers now as 12 April deadline nears

Microsoft has urged partners to get customers up to speed with its latest migration campaign – SQL Server 2005.

From 12 April next year, the product will no longer receive security updates, which Microsoft claims "creates risk" for customers. It added that maintenance costs will soar for legacy hardware, firewalls and intrusion systems; and concerns about compliance will arise as customers are unable to meet regulatory standards with the product, meaning they risk penalties.

SQL Server 2005 is the latest Microsoft product to get the end-of-life treatment. This year, Windows Server 2003 reached the end of support and last year saw a huge migration campaign encouraging users to ditch Windows XP.

"If SQL Server is something you talk to your customers about, then please ensure 12 April 2016 is marked on your and their calendars," Microsoft urged partners on its UK partner blog.

"This is when support for SQL Server 2005 ends, and conversations about upgrading to SQL Server 2016 should start, if they haven't already. Help your customers plan, budget and execute a smooth upgrade."

Microsoft went on to talk up the transformation the SQL Server product has gone through since the 2005 iteration was launched.

It claims that since 2005, better analytics and cloud-ready technology have been added to the offering and said SQL Server 2016 will be "the biggest leap forward in Microsoft's data platform history".