Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL
Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL
Design, tune, secure and migrate the databases your applications depend on.
SQL Server is Microsoft's relational database, and Azure SQL is its family of managed cloud versions. We design schemas, tune performance, set up high availability and security, and migrate databases from older SQL Server versions to supported platforms on-premises or in Azure.
What we cover
- Schema and data design
- Query and index tuning
- Upgrades and migration to Azure SQL
- High availability and disaster recovery
- Security and auditing
- Monitoring and maintenance
Requirement-led advice · Documented handover
- Advice based on your requirements
- Works with your existing stack
- Documented, maintainable delivery
What Are SQL Server and Azure SQL?
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database engine used by a large share of business applications, especially those built on .NET. It runs on Windows and Linux, and recent versions add features such as intelligent query processing, ledger tables and, in SQL Server 2025, built-in vector search for AI applications.
Azure SQL covers three managed options: Azure SQL Database, a fully managed database service; Azure SQL Managed Instance, which keeps near-complete SQL Server compatibility including SQL Agent and cross-database queries; and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines for full control. Choosing between them depends on compatibility needs, administration effort and cost. SQL Server 2016 reached the end of extended support in July 2026, so many organisations are planning upgrades now.
When SQL Server and Azure SQL are a good fit
- Your applications are built on .NET or already use SQL Server.
- You need strong transactional consistency and mature tooling.
- You run older SQL Server versions that are out of support or close to it.
- You want managed databases in Azure with less administration work.
Where We Help With SQL Server
Typical database work for application and data teams.
Performance problems
Find and fix slow queries, blocking and missing indexes.
Version upgrades
Move off unsupported SQL Server versions safely.
Migration to Azure
Move to Azure SQL Database, Managed Instance or Azure VMs.
High availability
Always On availability groups and failover planning.
Schema design
Data models for new applications and integrations.
Security reviews
Permissions, encryption, auditing and data masking.
Reporting databases
Read replicas and models for reporting workloads.
Ongoing maintenance
Backups, index maintenance and health checks.
SQL Server Services We Deliver
Each piece of work has a clear output, so you know what you will receive.
Health check
Review configuration, performance, backups and security.
Deliverables: health-check report, prioritised fixes
Performance tuning
Analyse Query Store and wait statistics and fix the causes.
Deliverables: tuning changes, before-and-after measures
Upgrade and migration
Assess compatibility and migrate with tested cut-over.
Deliverables: migration plan, runbook, migrated databases
HA and DR
Availability groups, geo-replication and recovery testing.
Deliverables: HA/DR design, recovery test results
Database design
Schemas, indexing strategy and data migration for new systems.
Deliverables: data model, migration scripts
Security hardening
Least-privilege access, encryption and auditing.
Deliverables: security baseline, audit configuration
SQL Server Platforms and Tools
Options we choose between for each workload.
Platforms
- SQL Server 2022 and 2025
- Azure SQL Database
- Azure SQL Managed Instance
- SQL Server on Azure VMs
Performance
- Query Store
- Intelligent query processing
- Columnstore indexes
- In-memory OLTP
Availability and security
- Always On availability groups
- Active geo-replication
- Transparent Data Encryption
- Microsoft Entra authentication
Migration and tooling
- Azure Database Migration Service
- Azure Migrate
- SQL Server Management Studio
- Database projects and CI/CD
Listing a feature here does not mean every project uses it. We recommend what fits your requirements, skills, licensing and running costs.
How SQL Server Fits Your Stack
SQL Server is the usual data store for .NET applications and runs on-premises, on Azure and on AWS through Amazon RDS. Analytics teams bring its data into Microsoft Fabric through mirroring or pipelines, and report on it with Power BI.
Data movement between SQL Server and other systems often runs in Azure Data Factory. For dedicated specialists, see Hire Data Architects.
Implementation Considerations
- Check application compatibility and deprecated features before upgrading.
- Choose the Azure SQL option by compatibility needs first, then cost.
- Test performance after migration; plans can change between versions.
- Use Query Store before and after changes to measure the effect.
- Test restores and failovers regularly, not only backups.
- Review licensing, including Azure Hybrid Benefit where it applies.
How We Work With SQL Server and Azure SQL
The same four steps we use across our technology work, adapted to your scope.
Discover
Goals, users, constraints and the systems SQL Server and Azure SQL must work with.
Select
Confirm SQL Server and Azure SQL is the right fit and agree the architecture and scope.
Build and integrate
Deliver in short iterations with testing, reviews and documentation.
Operate and improve
Monitor, support and improve the solution as your needs change.
SQL Server and Azure SQL Questions, Answered
What is the difference between Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance?
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed single database or pool. Managed Instance keeps near-complete SQL Server compatibility, such as SQL Agent and cross-database queries.
Is SQL Server 2016 still supported?
SQL Server 2016 reached the end of extended support in July 2026. We recommend planning an upgrade or migration.
Can you fix slow database performance?
Yes. We analyse queries, indexes, waits and configuration and fix the root causes.
How do you migrate with minimal downtime?
By assessing compatibility, rehearsing the migration and using replication or online migration methods where possible.
Can SQL Server support AI applications?
SQL Server 2025 and Azure SQL include vector features that can support retrieval for AI applications.
Do you work with PostgreSQL or MySQL too?
Yes, though this page focuses on Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL.
Need Help With Your Databases?
Tell us about your SQL Server versions, workloads and goals, and we will suggest next steps.
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