SQL Server solutions for enterprise and .NET systems
Microsoft SQL Server is a commercial relational database with strong tooling, reporting and integration features. It is the natural choice where an organisation already runs Microsoft infrastructure or .NET applications.
SQL Server offers mature tooling, solid performance, built-in business intelligence options and close integration with Azure and Active Directory. The main trade-off is licensing cost, which can be significant at scale and should be modelled before committing. For new greenfield projects without a Microsoft dependency we often suggest PostgreSQL, but where SQL Server is established we work within it: tuning queries, tidying stored procedures and building clean integrations rather than forcing a costly migration.
What we build with Microsoft SQL Server
- Database design and T-SQL development
- Stored procedure refactoring
- Index and execution-plan tuning
- Integration with .NET and Azure
- Migrations to or from Azure SQL
Microsoft SQL Server questions
Can SQL Server run in the cloud?
Yes. It runs as a managed service on Azure and can also be hosted on other clouds or in containers. The right option depends on licensing and features you rely on.
Should we migrate away from SQL Server to save costs?
It can make sense, but stored procedures and vendor-specific features add migration effort. We estimate both sides before recommending a move.
How do SQL Server backups and recovery work?
SQL Server combines full, differential and transaction log backups, and the full recovery model allows restoring to a point in time. We match the backup schedule to how much data loss and downtime you can tolerate.
What high-availability options does SQL Server offer?
Always On availability groups keep synchronised replicas that can take over on failure and serve read-only queries, while failover cluster instances protect at the server level. Which one fits depends on edition and infrastructure.
How do you tune a slow SQL Server database?
We look at execution plans, wait statistics and Query Store history to find the queries doing the most work. Fixes are usually better indexes, rewritten queries or updated statistics rather than more hardware.
What is the difference between SQL Server editions?
Editions differ in the features, memory and CPU they allow, with Express being free but limited and Enterprise unlocking the most advanced capabilities. We check which features you actually use before recommending an edition.
How is data encrypted in SQL Server?
Transparent Data Encryption protects data files and backups at rest, while Always Encrypted keeps chosen columns encrypted even from database administrators. Connections are protected with TLS.
Can SQL Server run on Linux or in containers?
Yes. SQL Server supports Linux and container images, which is useful for development environments and some production setups. A few Windows-specific features are not available there, so we check requirements first.
Should business logic live in stored procedures?
Stored procedures suit set-based data work and shared access rules, but heavy business logic in T-SQL is harder to test and version. We usually keep core logic in the application and use procedures where they clearly perform better.
Is Azure SQL Database the same as SQL Server?
It uses the same engine and T-SQL language, but as a managed service it handles patching and backups and restricts some server-level features. Azure SQL Managed Instance offers closer compatibility for lift-and-shift moves.
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Tell us what you are building. We reply within one business day with next steps — and we are happy to sign an NDA first.