Review: SQL Server 2005 Builds Its Place In BIReview: SQL Server 2005 Builds Its Place In BI

Reviewing Microsoft enterprise software is always difficult, because the company's software always runs best in Windows clients and servers. As previously noted, SQL Server 2005 and its BI Stack is compelling on its features and improvements alone. But the fact that it runs best in Windows means integration and interoperability come on Microsoft terms. This translates to no support for other OS platforms and support for only the very latest versions of Windows clients and server, few direct connections to other databases and application servers, and a restricted list of connections to other vendors' competing applications or servers. Those are hardly strong cards in the highly interoperable world of BI. Even Microsoft's integration technology of choice, Web Services, is coming under increasing limits as to what technologies Microsoft will support.

Microsoft SQL Server BI offerings are certainly compelling, but are best for Microsoft shops. Microsoft's improvements to its ETL and the Web Services enablement of major portions of its BI Analysis Services do provide easier entry into the Microsoft BI Stack. As for the rock-bottom prices, let me remind readers that Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS) Web server was designated to be "free for perpetuity" back when Microsoft was a distant second to Netscape. IIS is now one of the major parts of the $140-200 price difference between Windows XP Home and Professional. In sum, the SQL Server 2005 + BI price offer is very attractive now – will it stand the test of time?

Jacques Surveyer is a writer and photographer, see the latter at thePhotoFinishes.com.