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MS Ships SQL Server 2005 SP2

Microsoft announced Monday it is shipping Service Pack 2, or SP2, of SQL Server 2005 -- an update that brings its premier database server current with features in Windows Vista and Office 2007.

The community technology preview, or CTP, of SQL Server 2005 SP2 was released at the company's SQL PASS conference in Seattle last November.

According to Microsoft statements, SP2 provides support for data compression, additional business intelligence capabilities and security updates relating to Common Criteria. It also includes manageability enhancements and the ability to access information in other databases, including Hyperion's Essbase and Oracle.

But perhaps most notable is support for Vista and Office 2007.

For example, Microsoft's statements say, add-ins for Excel 2007 and Visio 2007 let users tap into data mining capabilities provided by SQL Server Analysis Services. Additionally, SP2 also provides integration between SQL Server Reporting Services and Office SharePoint Server 2007's Report Center feature.

SQL Server 2005 SP2 is available for download here.

About the Author

Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.