MSSQLTips

Many companies are still using SQL Server 2000.  At some point they need to upgrade.  Should they go to SQL Server 2005 or SQL Server 2008? 

What do you think and why?

I still have plenty of customers that are running SQL 2000. As of right now it is still kind of a toss up whether to go with SQL 2005 or SQL 2008.  There is a lot more information about SQL 2005, so generally it is a safer bet. As time continues to move on and the longer it takes I would probably steer them towards 2008.  SQL 2008 SP1 is now out, so this is one of those things people wait for before taking the leap to the next release level.  I guess it also really depends on the new feature set as well.  SQL 2008 provides plenty of new tools, so if there is a real advantage to using these tools this is another good reason to skip over 2005 and go right to 2008. 

hi,

sql server basically communicating information in one location .sql server depends upon the 2000 or 2005 or 2008 . And In the business world, everything is about being "better, faster and cheaper" than the competition -- and SQL Server 2005 offers many new features to save energy, time and money. From programming to administrative capabilities, this version of SQL Server tops all others and it enhances many existing SQL Server 2000 features..

 Due to plenty of new features, upgrade to SQL Server 2005 from SQL Server 2000 is a very good choice. In case of SQL Server 2008 it provides noteworthy enhancements mainly for BI and enterprise architechture.If you are not holding BI implementation like SSRS, SSAS and also you do not have a number of SQL Servers connected in various domains configured in your organisational structure then hardly you will feel any shortcomings in SQL Server 2005. 

I have upgraded to SQL Server 2005 and found it very satisfactory. Later i may look for SQL Server 2008 when i have to implement SSRS.

As per my understanding, the decision lies with business requirement and Criticality of  dependent Applications which might be using the SQL SERVER. I personally feel that many organisation are reluctant to upgrade may be because of the Major dependencies of their Existing \ OLd Application. Migrating or Upgrading to a higher version let say, SQL SERVER 2005 Or SQL SERVER 2008 is not very complicated but the Complex \Rigrous Testing has to be done at Application Level to ensure that the latest version will work fine for their business Critical Processes.

No Doubt Latest Vesions have more Enchancements both in Terms of Development and Administration and ofcourse new Version will make the database management a lot easier .

So, the decision has to business Oriented which should help to make the Organisation Business more Fruitfull.

Sachin

The problem is that official end of SQL Server 2000 lifecycle is set by Microsoft to some date in the year 2013.

Here is the link: http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-us&p1=2852&x=9&y=10

That's why you will have to change SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2005 or 2008.