With the EoS (End of Support) stated for the Microsoft SQL Server 2008, businesses like yours who’ve been relying on this popular software are at a stage where they must look forward to an imminent upgrade. Currently, Microsoft is offering three options for 2008 users.

• Upgrade on-premise systems to latest version SQL Server 2017

• Pay for the extended support

• Rehost existing SQL Server 2008 to Azure and get free extended support for the next three years

Although, the users of the SQL Server 2008 can still continue using the software even after EoS, the risks associated with not upgrading certainly makes the case for why you must!

Here are some of the benefits with Azure migration;

Security

One of the prominent reasons why you must migrate to the cloud is to avoid exposing the precious and confidential data from your outdated server, once it stops receiving security updates and patches. With no support from Microsoft, imagine the risks of data leaks and hacks through evolving new malware and file-less attacks that happen every day.

Migrating to Azure means you get access to Microsoft’s robust security expertise without worrying about future security updates and software patches. You won’t require tuning the infrastructure to latest cybersecurity best practices or making it compliant to the new regulations such as GDPR. Most of the tasks such as version upgrades and backups are handled automatically.

New features, greater opportunities

While security is critical, moving to the cloud also means you get access to a plethora of built-in advanced tools such as In-Memory technologies, AI and ML-powered analytics. This takes your business processes to a whole new level, offering tons of opportunities to analyze the Big Data and develop BI tools for better decision-making and overall business growth.

Seeing EoS as an opportunity

With the EoS, the primary fear among many is the complex migration process that they need to go through in order to transition to a new system. But why see it as a barrier when you can make use of it to modernize your business?

By migrating your current system to Azure, you are exploring the infinite possibilities of cloud-based computing. Here’s one example where advanced tools with Azure can be leveraged to centralize all the information and unlock new insights from the data that previously you would have never thought of.

How Just Analytics Changes the Game with Azure: Comprehensive ERP Analytics

ERP forms an essential tool for most businesses today to keep track of supply chain and business processes. With massive amounts of data generated every day into the ERP systems, it is really difficult to keep track of everything. Additionally, the built-in reporting tools offer a very limited scope of analyzing data that has real potential for enhancing overall organization performance.

However, at Just Analytics we propose a simple solution; why not the machine and AI do all the work for you! Utilizing Azure, SQL Data Warehouse and Power BI, our Business Intelligence framework can help you maximize the value of the ERP data, the crucial data that you already own. The ERP Analytics solution essentially transforms the ERP data into actionable insights that serve as a single source of truth across the organization.

With real-time demand forecasting and predictive analytics, you can make near real-time decisions and carry out smart changes to optimize your business operations and ultimately grow your business.

In essence, the EoS is your chance to explore new technologies and to leverage them to further drive your company’s growth. Choose Just Analytics to make sure that the data generated with the new platform is properly utilized. Get in touch with us today!