SQL Azure

Microsoft announced in May, 2011 creation of new functionality for SQL Azure service – processing of difficult events (complex event processing). Unlike the systems of a business intelligence focused on static data, processing of difficult events allows to analyze massive data streams in real time. Meanwhile the funkionalnost is available only in the test mode.

The new functionality received the code name Austin. In not cloud version of SQL Server to it there corresponds the functionality of StreamInsight already available in DBMS from Microsoft.

Now Austin is released in the form of private technology demonstration for community (private Community Technology Preview), i.e. is actually available in a format of the closed beta. It is expected that in the second half of the current year the functionality of Austin will become available as public technology demonstration on the website SQL Azure Labs. Terms of a release of the final version are not reported yet.

Microsoft provides several possible scenarios of use Austin. It is collecting and data processing from a production equipment and sensors in real time; applications for financial trading (in particular, monitoring and additional opportunities for capitalization for the account of the commercial opportunities, very short on time, caused by current market condition); web analytics (for example, immediate response to scenarios of behavior of users on the website and providing targeted advertizing to them); management of "smart networks" (for example, instant response to change of volumes of energy consumption in IT infrastructure of power networks).

The Russian users of Windows Azure (now service is provided through Softline company) will be able to use new functionality as soon as it is brought to readiness for commercial operation: "It does not demand any special actions from the client, – reported CNews at the Russian office Microsoft. – The Windows platform of Azure is updated is absolutely transparent for the user, and all issues of compatibility are resolved by Microsoft company".