New SQL Database ODBC driver from devart

Here are some quick facts about this driver;

Direct connection requiring just TCP / IP and there is no need for SQL Azure Client software. This mode of access implies better performance, reliability and improved deployment process. Packaging of your software lighter.

The current version supports many platforms, Windows, Linux, Mac OS X for both architectures 32bit and 64bit.

Common ODBC interfaces for Data Types and ODBC API functions are supported.

The author has not received any compensation from devart.


More info and download details here.

You want to back up your prior version SQL Server data to Windows Azure ? No Problem!

SQL Server 2012 supported backing up database to Windows Azure . Of course higher versions will also be capable and in fact SQL Server 2014 will also do so more easily. What if you wanted to backup your SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008R2 to the Cloud. Well, a new 3 step tool released by Microsoft can do it, no problem(it appears). The tool supports backup compression and encryption to boot.

Access tool download link here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40740



For prior versions of SQL Server, the Tool provides (from Microsoft site):

Easy integration with Windows Azure Blob Storage.

Off-site SQL Server backups, accessible from anywhere.

Encryption and compression for cloud and on-premises SQL Server backups.

SQL Server Backup/restore with Windows Azure Blob Storage Service

Backup/Restore feature details here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj919148(v=sql.120).aspx