Microsoft on Monday announced that Azure Backup for SQL Server had reached 'general availability' status, meaning it's deemed ready for production-environment use.

Microsoft's database releases from 2008 and 2010 reach end of extended support. In response, Redmond says, that for many customers, the time for cloud migration has arrived.

A new licensing policy that eliminates extra fees for installing backup versions of SQL Server went into effect last week for users of the database who have signed Software Assurance contracts ...