Microsoft SQL Server 2008 August Release

At the July Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, a corporate vice president within the Microsoft Server and Tools business announced that SQL Server 2008 will be included in the August price list, implying that the server will be RTM and ready for sale by the end of August. This news comes on the heels of the recent release of SQL Server 2008 Release Candidate 0.

SQL Server 2008 follows the same SKU model as SQL Server 2005, and there will be no price increase. As currently publicized within Microsoft Partner Program the following SQL Server 2008 SKUs will exist:

Enterprise Edition

Business Critical,Large Scale
Option 1: $24k per processor
Option 2: $9k per server with $160 per Client Access License

A comprehensive data management and business intelligence platform providing enterprise class scalability, high availability and security for running business critical applications

Standard Edition

Departmental,Small/Med Scale
Option 1: $6k per processor
Option 2: $1k per server with $160 per Client Access License

A complete data management and business intelligence platform providing best in class ease of use and manageability for running departmental applications

Workgroup Edition

Branch,Small Scale
Option 1: $4k per processor
Option 2: $740 per server with 5 free CALs

A reliable data management and reporting platform providing secure, remote synchronization and management capabilities for running branch applications

Express

Entry-Level,Learning
Free (Require a CAL to connect to paid SKUs)

A free edition of SQL Server ideal for learning and building desktop and small server applications and for re-distribution by ISVs

Compact

Client Embedded
Free (Require a CAL to connect to paid SKUs)

A free, SQL Server embedded database ideal for building stand-alone and occasionally connected applications for mobile devices, desktops & web clients

Web

Low-end Hosting
$25 per processor per month
(SPLA only license)

A low-TCO, SPLA only option for web hosters, providing scalability & manageability capabilities for shared web hosting scenarios

Developer

Development & Testing
Free (through MSDN subscription) or $50 Retail

Development only license. No production serving.