The 2005 SKU Matrix
Lots of folks had both good and bad feedback on the SKU matrix (http://www.microsoft.com/sql/2005/productinfo/sql2005features.asp) so we're looking at changing it. No, we're not moving features around but we are trying to get more clear on what things like Advanced Measures and Dimensions are. What do you think of the matrix?
Here's what some folks said:
1) What is the 2 CPU limit for DB mirroring in standard? - It's not a hard coded 2 CPU limit. What it is actually is that we support only a single threaded redo on the mirror and safety must always be on in Standard. Explaining that to the large breadth of SQL customers seemed overkill so we tried to put some guidance using determinstic things like CPU limits. Did we do a good job?
2) Why is XML and XQuery broken out? - Well, we should have made it possibly Native XML storage and querying since some may ask what about XPath?
3) 64-bit Support? Which 64-bit? - Both Itanium and x64 are supported in Standard and Enterprise.
4) Your BI categorizations stink (and I'm putting this nicely). - Yes, we will fix these. I'd love any feedback on how folks would like to see this done better.
To be honest, Corey Thomas (my teammate) and I struggled on the matrix because you want something that is concise, yet informational but also descriptive enough to make people understand it and make decisions off of it but not too descriptive so that you have to go buy the print edition of it at your favorite bookstore. Sometimes I think the SKU matrix is an IQ test. I should start using it as an interview question such as: “Imagine you have 4 editions of your product and your product is a database server that scales from the very small to the very large. And, oh yeah, you have BI capabilities and replication and security and developer stuff and ..... Draw me what you think the SKU matrix should look like for this product for the millions of people who use it and will evaluate what edition to buy based on it.”
Anyway, your feedback is needed because guess what, the SKU matrix is for you (and your purchasing folks who will ask you what advanced measures and dimensions are and should we buy the Enterprise Edition for them :) ). So, let't make it the best we can.
Tom