When it comes to database solutions, Microsoft SQL Server 2019 on Windows Server 2019 isn’t just any brick in the wall; it’s a fortress equipped for handling data at scale, securely and efficiently. It’s no wonder why businesses of all sizes consider it to be one of the top choices for managing both big data and regular database workloads. But like all giants, it has some Achilles' heels that are worth discussing.
Let’s dive into what makes SQL Server 2019 stand out and what pain points you might experience along the way.
If you’ve got the budget and hardware to support it, SQL Server 2019 could be the cornerstone of your IT infrastructure. But keep one eye on the license fees—like any big commitment, they add up.
Have you used SQL Server 2019 in your environment? What features stood out for you, and which ones did you find lacking? Share your experiences and thoughts in the forum!
Source: Amazon Web Services Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Reviews
Let’s dive into what makes SQL Server 2019 stand out and what pain points you might experience along the way.
The Good: A Reliable Workhorse for All Business Sizes
SQL Server 2019 excels in several departments, and here’s why it’s revered:- Blazing Performance: Whether you’re crunching gigabytes or terabytes of data, SQL Server 2019 doesn’t break a sweat. It has been engineered to ensure lightning-fast data management and retrieval, thanks to features like columnstore indexes, adaptive query processing, and memory-optimized tables.
- Seamless Big Data Integration: One of the most attractive features of the 2019 version is its ability to seamlessly handle big data. With support for native big data clusters powered by Hadoop and Spark, you can conduct real-time analytics without jumping through hoops.
- Committed to Security: SQL Server’s "security first" approach provides robust encryption mechanisms for protecting sensitive data. Its Always Encrypted feature ensures that data is encrypted both at rest and in transit, making it an excellent choice for businesses needing airtight security.
- Friendly Integration: Whether you’re pairing it with Power BI for analytics, Azure for cloud capabilities, or even third-party tools, it’s as easy as pie. This makes it ideal for businesses that rely on a diverse tech stack.
- Scalability for the Win: From a mid-sized business to a sprawling enterprise, SQL Server 2019 scales to your needs. Whether you’re hosting it locally, leveraging cloud resources via Azure, or deploying a hybrid setup, its flexibility is unparalleled.
Real-World Impact
Imagine you’re running a medium-sized eCommerce business. With a myriad of simultaneous transactions, customer data, and product catalogs flying around, SQL Server keeps the lights on by offering quick response times, secure payment processing, and real-time analytics to optimize everything from sales funnels to inventory.The Not-So-Good: Pricey and Feature-Limited
But, let’s be real—no software is perfect, and SQL Server 2019 has its fair share of drawbacks:- Licensing Costs: If you think "premium product, premium price" is just a saying, think again. SQL Server 2019’s licensing costs can climb rapidly as you scale. While it offers exceptional features, the budget might not stretch far for smaller businesses. For instance, licensing SQL Server Standard starts at a per-core basis—so imagine the dent in your wallet if you’re running high-performance servers.
- Feature Lockdown in Standard Edition: Big Data Clusters? Online Indexing? Enterprise-only, my friend. The Standard edition, while impressive, lacks some of the advanced features that could level up your operation. These limitations can feel like a hard cap for businesses striving for growth without an Enterprise-scale budget.
- Resource-Hungry: Deploying SQL Server 2019 on smaller servers can make it feel like a performance-hog, leaving less room for other critical business applications. In other words, you need the right hardware to get the most out of it, and that isn’t always easy (or cheap).
What Problems Does It Solve (And How)?
Here’s why SQL Server 2019 stands out in its class despite the downsides:- Managing Large Datasets: Businesses dealing with astronomical amounts of data aren’t hindered by SQL Server’s performance; it processes massive datasets with efficiency unmatched by many competitors.
- Enhanced Data Security: For organizations where data breaches aren’t an option, SQL Server 2019’s strong encryption and access protocols are a must.
- Running Complex Queries: The database engine is optimized for running deeply complex queries with sub-second responses, crucial for operations like fraud detection or real-time supply chain monitoring.
- Interoperability: SQL Server blends beautifully with existing tools and workflows, acting like the Swiss Army knife for IT administrators and data scientists alike.
Under the Hood: Why It Works
SQL Server’s performance and features keep it ahead of the pack for many reasons:- Intelligent Query Processing (IQP): Leveraging AI, IQP dynamically improves query performance without requiring users to rewrite their SQL scripts. It's like an autopilot for your queries.
- Big Data Clusters: Introduced in SQL Server 2019, these clusters combine the power of SQL Server with big data technologies like Hadoop, scaling your database to analyze external data sources—all while eliminating the need to move data around.
- Always Encrypted with Secure Enclaves: Think of it as a vault inside a vault. This takes encryption to the next level by encrypting computation itself, ensuring no one—neither a hacker nor the admin supervising the database—can peek at sensitive values.
- PolyBase for Data Virtualization: Instead of creating multiple pipelines or moving datasets around, PolyBase lets you query SQL and non-SQL data seamlessly—whether it comes from Oracle, Hadoop, MongoDB, or something else entirely.
Should You Use SQL Server 2019?
Whether SQL Server 2019 is worth it depends completely on your business situation:- Yes, If: You need robust performance, strong security, and scalability for your growing data needs—especially if managing large datasets or offering real-time analytics is a daily part of your business operations.
- No, If: Budget constraints are an issue or if you’re a smaller business not requiring SQL Server’s enterprise-grade solutions. In that case, consider alternatives like PostgreSQL or even Microsoft’s own lightweight offerings like Azure SQL Database (SaaS).
Wrapping Up
SQL Server 2019 is like a high-performance sports car—fantastic for those who can afford it and have a road (or in this case, computing environment) sophisticated enough to handle it. Its ability to juggle big data, regular databases, tight security, and smooth integrations makes it almost unbeatable in the database space. That said, cost-conscious businesses on limited resources might want to explore more streamlined database solutions before taking the plunge.If you’ve got the budget and hardware to support it, SQL Server 2019 could be the cornerstone of your IT infrastructure. But keep one eye on the license fees—like any big commitment, they add up.
Have you used SQL Server 2019 in your environment? What features stood out for you, and which ones did you find lacking? Share your experiences and thoughts in the forum!
Source: Amazon Web Services Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Reviews
