Azure SQL

OptimaData provides consulting, training and management services for Azure SQL data platforms.

Azure SQL is a series of managed, secure and intelligent products that use the well-known SQL Server database engine in the Microsoft Azure cloud.

Azure is Microsoft’s cloud environment that helps companies create, run and manage applications and databases. Running SQL databases in Azure is a logical choice. Microsoft’s database in Microsoft’s cloud with extensive and easy integrations of the other Microsoft Stack such as PowerBI, DataFactory, Azure DevOps, etc. The well-known database engine SQL Server is used to store and manage data in Azure. In fact, it is the online SQL Server version in the cloud. How much you still have to arrange and manage yourself and how much it costs depends on which service you choose, as shown in the diagram.

Questions to ask when choosing between PaaS (DBaaS) or IaaS is: Do you want to manage your database yourself, update it, apply patches and make backups, or do you want to delegate these operations to Azure to a greater or lesser extent? And which choice is most appropriate for my application (landscape).

There is something to be said for each product and each choice within Azure SQL. Much depends on your applications, your existing architecture, how you want to migrate and which functionalities you want to apply or are needed. OptimaData Azure SQL Consultancy can help in understanding the options, design, migration plan the final migration and (part-time or remote) Azure SQL management of your chosen cloud databases. We can also provide a comparison of the implications on cloud costs and/or your management organization. Please feel free to contact us.

Microsoft offers 3 products within the Azure SQL spectrum with different (increasing) levels of hosted management.

• Azure SQL on Azure VMs (IaaS)
• Azure SQL Managed Instance (PaaS)
• Azure SQL Database (DBaaS in Azure’s PaaS)

Hosted management includes updates and upgrades, security patches, backups, etc. Below you can see where the management lies:

In addition, you can use all kinds of integrated options and tooling to configure and optimize your database. Like a query optimizer, automatic failover and handy (automated) management options.

SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines falls under the Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) category and provides the ability to run SQL Server in a fully managed virtual machine (VM) in Azure.

In this configuration, SQL Server is installed and hosted in the cloud, where it is run on virtual machines running Windows Server or Linux operating systems in Azure. This includes all supported versions and editions of SQL Server available for installation on these virtual IaaS machines.

This variant is most similar to the traditional Server in a rack. It also offers the highest compatibility. You have complete control over your operating system and databases.

Azure SQL Managed Instance falls under the umbrella of Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) within Azure. It offers nearly 100% compatibility with the latest SQL Server (Enterprise Edition) database engine. SQL Managed Instance is a bundle of system and user databases with a shared set of resources, designed to make the process of “lift-and-shift” simple. You’re still largely in control of managing your SQL Server and leveraging the benefits of a PaaS.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Azure SQL Database is the online version of SQL Server. This database-as-a-service (DBaaS) falls into the Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) category, which means it is a convenient solution for modern cloud applications where you can use the latest, stable features of SQL Server without spending much time on development and management.

It is a fully managed SQL Server database engine based on the latest stable Enterprise Edition of SQL Server. Azure SQL Database is built on standardized hardware and software in Azure.

Deployment options Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database offers several deployment options to suit the unique needs of different applications:

Individuele Database (Single Database): Een afzonderlijke database met een eigen set van resources, die worden beheerd via een logische server. Dit concept is vergelijkbaar met een zelfstandige database in SQL Server. Het biedt flexibiliteit door hyperscale- en serverloze opties aan te bieden. Dit is met name gunstig voor de ontwikkeling van nieuwe applicaties in de cloud.
Elastische Pool (Elastic Pool): Hierbij gaat het om een collectie van databases met gedeelde resources, die worden beheerd via een logische server. Binnen elastische pools kunnen individuele databases worden verplaatst. Het is een kosteneffectieve oplossing voor het beheren van de prestaties van meerdere databases met variabele gebruikspatronen.
Wat is het belangrijkste aandachtspunt:

Compatibiliteit met on-premises workloads
Welke zorg valt weg?

Hardware
Besturingssysteem
Serverbeheer
Updates, upgrades, patches

With a shift of management responsibility to the cloud, in this case Azure, it is a logical consequence to assume that a DBA is no longer needed to manage these Azure SQL environments. A number of management tasks will indeed be dropped. Still, a number of important tasks remain for a DBA.

These include:

• Data modeling
• Query tuning
• Index optimization
• Deployment
• Cloud cost management

Even a cloud database like Azure SQL Database needs maintenance. Does everything still fit, is the right setup still up to date, are only those databases being used that are actually active, what about the applied character sets, the logical or technical data model? In addition, the cloud costs can get quite out of line if the resources are not properly matched to the applied databases and vice-versa. Scaling is a big advantage of cloud databases but this does directly impact your Cloud costs.

In addition to its own SQL Server engine, Microsoft also provides other fully managed database variants within Azure.

These include:

• Azure Cosmos DB
• Azure Database for PostgreSQL
• Azure Database for MySQL
• Azure Database for MariaDB (going out on 19-09-2025)
• Azure Cache for Redis

You can find more information on this at microsoft’s website on managed databases in Azure. And on our special page on DBaaS products.

Microsoft has named OptimaData a Gold Partner Data Platform. With this partnership, Microsoft highlights OptimaData’s high level of expertise in Azure SQL database management and consultancy. In cooperation with Microsoft, we provide optimal Azure SQL implementations and database designs, and support the optimal use and management of the data.

The Microsoft Gold Partner designation is recognition of our in-depth knowledge and expertise and we are proud of that!

When you choose an ICT partner with Microsoft Gold or Silver status, you choose a professional and solution-oriented partner that looks beyond purely technical solutions. Thus, a Gold or Silver status also offers you as a client benefits in terms of efficiency and cost control.

With the Gold Partner status Microsoft not only emphasizes the high level of knowledge of the partner, but also gives access to exclusive knowledge and updates. This assures clients of OptimaData with Azure SQL management and consultancy of the most up-to-date and efficient solutions in and around Azure SQL.

OptimaData has extensive knowledge and expertise to optimally deploy and apply the latest technology to your situation. An important advantage is that we are available for only the time you need us. Not only for the database but also for Azure SQL Management and Consultancy you only pay for the use. We have a number of use cases where we can do the full Azure SQL management 24/7, including monitoring and our role as Trusted Advisor. If only “just in case.” We can take immediate action as soon as you need us.

The available options change at a rapid pace and OptimaData’s consultants can provide advice appropriate to your database management situation and requirements.

With Azure SQL Consultancy, for example, we offer a QuickScan for a good picture of your environment with a set of recommendations for optimal performance of your current and future-proof database environment. Application of best practices and performance tuning to get the most out of your configuration. Regular HealthChecks to keep a finger on the pulse in relation to contamination, database growth or renewed data modeling. With Azure SQL management through the services Managed Consultancy or Managed Services, you are assured of business continuity, database maintenance and 24/7 support in case of disruptions or incidents.