Microsoft has RTM'd SQL Server 2014, which includes a new in-memory OLTP engine built jointly by Microsoft Research and the SQL Server team.

Microsoft's SQL Server 2014 is slated to deliver in-memory OLTP capabilities, plus a handful of other new and enhanced database features early next year.

In addition to SQL Server 2014, Microsoft debuted its Analytics Platform System (APS), pitching it as an appliance for customers that need to do queries spanning SQL Server and Hadoop.

Microsoft's SQL Server 2014 has built-in in-memory technologies, so users don't need expensive additional software or hardware. Plus, it's fast.