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Senior Digital Services Engineer at a pharma/biotech company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Sep 10, 2021
Configurable, stable, and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is configurable."
  • "However, Microsoft SQL servers are a very trusted product."
  • "The integration could be better. They are not open-source, so the integration with other platforms is not that easy."
  • "The integration could be better. They are not open-source, so the integration with other platforms is not that easy."

What is our primary use case?

We only use it as a logging solution. We use it as logging for processing our database. It holds records for some systems and so on. That's it.

What is most valuable?

The solution is stable.

The product is scalable.

The solution is configurable. 

What needs improvement?

The IT and digital transformation department are a bit fresh in this company that I am working for. They have a lot of plans, a lot of visions. I don't know how are they are going to do the infrastructure. I don't know their vision.

So far, the solution fits the scope of our company. We aren't missing any features. 

The integration could be better. They are not open-source, so the integration with other platforms is not that easy.

For how long have I used the solution?

The company has been using them for a long time. I newly joined the company two months ago, so I don't know when exactly they start using it.

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

You can scale the product. You can increase and decrease the storage as needed. It's very easy.

The amount of users on the solution is anywhere between 1,000 and 2,000 users. 

How are customer service and support?

While I've never been in touch with technical support, the administration team has. They've contacted the team in Egypt. I haven't heard of any negative experiences.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I've also worked with Oracle in the past. At this company, since it is an older server, it may have been in service longer. We were using the two databases for two different functions.

How was the initial setup?

I wasn't a part of the installation process, however, it's my understanding that the company handled the installation themselves. 

The administration team has three or four team members. They can handle maintenance tasks and rotate tasks between themselves.

What about the implementation team?

My understanding is that the company handled the installation internally. However, I was only recently hired. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Any kind of information related to costs or licensing is beyond my scope. I don't deal with that aspect of the solution. I do not know if licensing is paid monthly or yearly.

What other advice do I have?

We are customers and end-users.

Our architecture is divided. There are parts on-premise and parts on Azure cloud. I don't know exactly where the SQL Server sits. 

I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten.

I might recommend it to other organizations. That said, it depends on the solution they need. I've worked on Oracle, I have worked on my Microsoft SQL servers. What would be best depends on the solution they need. However, Microsoft SQL servers are a very trusted product. I would recommend it if someone was asking about it.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Senior Database Administrator at ITGStore
Real User
Sep 9, 2021
A stable, scalable and easily installable solution for saving and managing data and applications
Pros and Cons
  • "Most valuable features include: high availability, clustering, save backup and recovery."
  • "Most valuable features include: high availability, clustering, save backup and recovery."
  • "Although I am satisfied with the solution, some clients have asked us to resolve technical issues, such as those involving silver solution and replication."
  • "Although I am satisfied with the solution, some clients have asked us to resolve technical issues, such as those involving silver solution and replication."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution as a database for saving and managing data and applications.

What is most valuable?

Most valuable features include: high availability, clustering, save backup and recovery.

What needs improvement?

Although I am satisfied with the solution, some clients have asked us to resolve technical issues, such as those involving silver solution and replication.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with SQL Server for four or five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. 

How are customer service and technical support?

I am satisfied with the solution's partner support. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I am  satisfied with SQL Server.

Use of alternative solutions varies with the client involved. Some make use of all that SQL Server has to offer, while others employ everything in Oracle Database. We have managed to resolve any issues they have encountered in the two cases in which they have approached us. 

When examining Oracle or IBM db2, Oracle and SQL Server are generally the prefered products. 

How was the initial setup?

While I find the setup and installation to be easy, others may find it difficult. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I am only a technician and responsible for the installation, so I cannot comment on the licensing, although there are others in my company who are better qualified to do so. 

What other advice do I have?

The solution is mostly deployed for our clients on-premises. 

We are satisfied with the documentation. 

My advice is that one adhere to the documentation before doing installation. 

I rate SQL Server as a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Integrator
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
SQL Server
April 2026
Learn what your peers think about SQL Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2026.
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Managing Partner at Veribir Ltd
Real User
Aug 28, 2021
Easy to manage, stable and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "SQL Server is easy to manage because all our DevOps team are familiar with it and simple to access because it is cloud-based."
  • "SQL Server is easy to manage because all our DevOps team are familiar with it and simple to access because it is cloud-based."
  • "The solution could improve by being more user-friendly."
  • "The solution could improve by being more user-friendly."

What is our primary use case?

We are using SQL Server for internal development projects.

What is most valuable?

SQL Server is easy to manage because all our DevOps team are familiar with it and simple to access because it is cloud-based.

What needs improvement?

The solution could improve by being more user-friendly.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using SQL Server for approximately 10 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable, we have found it to be vertically scalable, but horizontal scaling, we have not used it for this purpose.

We are mostly using this solution for internal use, not for public services. We have approximately 10 developers using it.

How are customer service and technical support?

My experience with technical support has been an average level of satisfaction.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is easy.

What about the implementation team?

We have one individual that is managing the solution at this time.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

For our purpose, we are not required to have a license for what we are using it for.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to developers who are familiar with Microsoft's platform. However, for others who work with Linux-based solutions, I could recommend something else.

I rate SQL Server an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1643577 - PeerSpot reviewer
Project Manager at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees
Reseller
Aug 24, 2021
Overall good functionality, scalable, and stable
Pros and Cons
  • "In Poland, SQL Server is the most popular database engine, and overall, our customers like it."
  • "In Poland, SQL Server is the most popular database engine, and overall, our customers like it."
  • "For small-scale businesses, Microsoft could improve by removing some limits in SQL Express."
  • "For small-scale businesses, Microsoft could improve by removing some limits in SQL Express."

What is our primary use case?

SQL Server is our main database solution. For example, we use it for our contact center software.

What is most valuable?

In Poland, SQL Server is the most popular database engine, and overall, our customers like it.

What needs improvement?

For small-scale businesses, Microsoft could improve by removing some limits in SQL Express.

In the future, it would be a benefit to have web-based management capabilities.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for approximately five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Five years ago there were some stability issues but in the current version, the stability is good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable.

How are customer service and technical support?

We use the documentation provided online by Microsoft that has been helpful. We do not need to use technical support because we have many high-level technical staff who know how to use the solution.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very simple.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

For smaller companies, they find this solution expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I rate SQL Server an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. reseller
PeerSpot user
reviewer1642500 - PeerSpot reviewer
Engineer at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Leaderboard
Aug 22, 2021
The stability needs improvement but it is easy to scale
Pros and Cons
  • "Similar to Microsoft SQL, it is easy to scale."
  • "Similar to Microsoft SQL, it is easy to scale."
  • "It could be more stable."
  • "SQL Server is a stable solution, but it could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution as our database.

What needs improvement?

It could be more stable.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using SQL Server for four or five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

SQL Server is a stable solution, but it could be improved.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Similar to Microsoft SQL, it is easy to scale.

We have a team of 300 people who are using this solution.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have not contacted technical support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Previously, I used MySQL.

How was the initial setup?

I was not involved in the installation.

We have an IT team to complete the installation.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is no licensing cost for SQL Server.

What other advice do I have?

I am a user of this solution but I don't know that I understand it well enough to recommend it to others because I did not install it.

I would rate SQL Server a five out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
it_user1646865 - PeerSpot reviewer
ICT Consultant at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Aug 12, 2021
Stable, easy to use, and simple to deploy
Pros and Cons
  • "The product can scale if a company needs it to."
  • "Technical support has been helpful and responsive."
  • "The solution could be more secure."
  • "The solution could be more secure."

What is our primary use case?

We have used it in a variety of ways, including for e-commerce deployments. 

What is most valuable?

The solution is easy to use.

The deployments are very easy.

Technical support is very helpful.

The product can scale if a company needs it to.

The stability is quite reliable. 

What needs improvement?

The product can cost a bit, however, it depends on how you use it. 

The solution could be more secure.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution over a number of years. I may have started originally around 2000. It's likely been two decades or so.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is quite stable. there are no bugs or glitches. it doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

You can scale this solution if you need to. It's not an issue. 

Everyone in our company is using the product. We have about 80 users on it currently.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support has been helpful and responsive. We have no complaints. We are satisfied with the level of service provided to our company.

How was the initial setup?

The solution is very easy to deploy. It's not a problem.

The amount of time it takes to deploy depends on what you want the solution to do for your company.

What about the implementation team?

We have an installer available to us that can guide us through the process and help us choose the right options. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution can get expensive. You do need to pay a licensing fee in order to use it. I can't speak to the exact costs. There are different subscription types and the subscription a company needs depends on the deployment they have in mind.

What other advice do I have?

I've used the solution on a couple of deployments and also deploy patches. 

I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten.

I would recommend the solution to other organizations and companies. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Anteneh Asnake - PeerSpot reviewer
Modern Data Center and Cloud Engineer II at IE Network Solutions PLC
MSP
Aug 9, 2021
Easy to use, scalable, and good technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is easy to use."
  • "The technical support is good from Microsoft."
  • "The performance could improve."
  • "The performance could improve."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution for managing our database functions.

What is most valuable?

The solution is easy to use.

What needs improvement?

The performance could improve.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for approximately four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I have found SQL Server stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have found it to be scalable.

How are customer service and technical support?

The technical support is good from Microsoft. We have four people that do the maintenance of the solution.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward, it took approximately one hour.

What about the implementation team?

I did the implementation myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is a license required for this solution.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I rate SQL Server an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1489908 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Jul 23, 2021
Stable, easy to use, and offers a quick deployment
Pros and Cons
  • "The installation is pretty straightforward."
  • "We use the solution both on the cloud and on-premises and we have been pleased with its capabilities overall."
  • "The pricing of the product could be better."
  • "The pricing of the product could be better."

What is most valuable?

Right now, we are using DB2 and the SQL Server. It's really helpful for the replication of data. It's real-time and very easy to use.

The product is very stable. We find it to be reliable.

The scalability is okay. 

The installation is pretty straightforward.

What needs improvement?

For now, we've found the features to be sufficient. I cannot recall feeling anything is actually missing.

The pricing of the product could be better. They could make it more reasonable or more competitive.

Microsoft's technical support could be better.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been supporting these servers for a couple of years at this point. It's likely been about two or so years. We've worked with them for a while. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable and reliable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. We're happy with it.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability potential depends on the resources. If the resources are enough, we can scale it. For us, it's already enough. However, if a company plans to expand, it should be prepared for that beforehand. 

We have more than ten users on the solution currently.

How are customer service and technical support?

Microsoft technical support could be improved upon. They aren't the best. They could always be better.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We also use IBM DB2. We support it for our customers.

How was the initial setup?

We have found the solution to be straightforward. It's not overly difficult or complex. A company shouldn't have any issue with implementation.

The product implementation process depends on the needs of the client. For us, deployment was around 30 minutes to one hour. It's pretty quick.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution could be priced more competitively. We'd, of course, like it to be lower. Microsoft can sometimes be expensive.

Each customer needs their own license.

What other advice do I have?

We use the solution both on the cloud and on-premises. 

I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten. We've been pleased with its capabilities overall.

I would recommend the solution to other users and companies. They should know that it is very easy to use. 

We had two people that handled the initial setup - an engineer and a manager. It's pretty easy to handle if an engineer is doing the setup.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free SQL Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2026
Buyer's Guide
Download our free SQL Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.