SQL Server 2008 delivers on Microsoft’s Data Platform vision by helping your organization manage any data, any place, any time. It enables you to store data from structured, semi-structured, and unstructured documents, such as images and music, directly within the database. SQL Server 2008 delivers a rich set of integrated services that enable you to do more with your data such as query, search, synchronize, report, and analyze. Your data can be stored and accessed in your largest servers within the data center all the way down to desktops and mobile devices, enabling you to have control over your data no matter where it is stored.

SQL Server 2008 Standard is a complete data management and business intelligence platform, providing best-in-class ease of use and manageability for running departmental applications. This Processor License includes access for an unlimited number of users to connect from either inside the local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) or outside the firewall.

What's new in R2?
Built on SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2 delivers higher mission-critical scale, more efficient IT, and expanded reporting and analytics through self-service business intelligence. SQL Server 2008 R2 introduces two new premium editions to meet the needs of large scale datacenters and data warehouses.

Ease of Use
Reduce operational and development overhead with an easy-to-use database platform for small- to medium-scale database solutions.

Manageability
Manage departmental applications effectively with intuitive management tools and automated administration.

Reporting and Analytics
Gain insights and enhance decision-making through built-in analysis and reporting technologies.

Key Usage Scenarios

• Departmental applications requiring best-in-class manageability and ease of use
• Small to medium scale online transaction processing (OLTP) applications
• Decision Support Systems requiring basic reporting and analytics