SQL Server 2005 End of Support (EOS) Resources

On April 12‚ 2016 Extended Support for SQL Server 2005 is coming to an end. After this date Microsoft will no longer provide assisted support‚ security updates or hotfixes for SQL Server 2005. Now is the time to upgrade to SQL Server 2014 or Azure SQL Database. Upgrade is an opportunity for your organization to significantly improve your database and applications performance, maintain security and compliance, and optimize your data platform infrastructure. We put together several tools and resources to help you prepare for SQL Server 2005 upgrade.

 

Why upgrade?

Understand the impact of SQL Server 2005 end of extended support and why upgrading to a modern data platform will benefit your business.

• Read the SQL Server 2005 upgrade datasheet

• Read Forrester's Total Economic Impact of SQL Server 2014

• Learn more about end of support (Support Lifecycle)

• Blog: Six Benefits to Planning for SQL Server 2005 and Windows Server 2003 End of Support Now

• Blog: Now is the time to upgrade to a modern data platform

• Blog: SQL Server 2005 Upgrade – Learn from SQL Server experts

 

Plan your upgrade

Whether on your own or with the support of a partner, we have the resources you need to plan a successful upgrade.

• Read about your migration options from SQL Server 2005 (Directions on Microsoft)

• Read the SQL Server 2014 Upgrade Technical Guide 

• Inventory your assets with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit

• Install the SQL Server 2014 Upgrade Advisor

• Download the Azure SQL Database Migration Wizard

• SQL Server 2014 Technical overview book

• Microsoft Virtual Academy training

• Get a free trial of SQL Server 2014 and Microsoft Azure

• Nominate 3rd-party applications running on SQL Server 2005 for the ISV Upgrade program

• Use SQL Server Deployment Planning Services Days available to plan Upgrade with Microsoft Consulting Services or Partner

• Contact a Microsoft partner to help with your upgrade