In this episode of the Azure Essentials Show, Thomas Maurer and Debbie Lyons delve into the benefits and features of Azure SQL, a family of fully managed, secure, and intelligent SQL database services. They discuss how Azure SQL can streamline data management and reduce costs, highlighting options for different stages of cloud adoption, including SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and Azure SQL Database. Key points include the significant cost savings of up to 55% with Azure Hybrid Benefit, the security features of Azure SQL, and an exciting preview of an architectural upgrade to the general-purpose service tier for SQL Managed Instance, promising better performance at the same cost.
Resources
Azure Hybrid Benefit
Azure Hybrid Benefit is an Azure offer that helps organizations reduce expenses during their migration to the cloud. By providing Azure discounts on Windows and SQL Server licenses, and Linux subscriptions, it supports infrastructure modernization and a cloud-first strategy.
Azure Hybrid Benefit coverage includes Azure VMware Solution, Nutanix, and other services through Windows Server with Software Assurance or Subscription, plus support for RedHat and SUSE Enterprise Linux customers.
Azure Hybrid Benefit – Azure SQL Database & SQL Managed Instance
Azure Hybrid Benefit enables you to exchange your existing licenses for discounted rates on Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance. By utilizing your Software Assurance-enabled SQL Server licenses on Azure, you can save up to 30 percent or more on SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance. The Azure Hybrid Benefit page includes a calculator to help determine potential savings.
With Azure Hybrid Benefit, you pay only for the underlying Azure infrastructure by utilizing your existing SQL Server license for the SQL Server database engine itself (Base Compute pricing). Without Azure Hybrid Benefit, you pay for both the underlying infrastructure and the SQL Server license (License-Included pricing).
Tags: Azure, Azure Essentials Show, Azure Hybrid Benefit, Azure SQL, Cloud, Data, Microsoft, Microsoft Azure, SQL, SQL Server Last modified: March 28, 2025
About the Author / Thomas Maurer
Thomas works as a Principal Program Manager & Chief Evangelist Azure Hybrid at Microsoft (Cloud + AI). He engages with the community and customers around the world to share his knowledge and collect feedback to improve the Azure hybrid cloud and edge platform. Prior to joining the Azure engineering team (Cloud + AI), Thomas was a Lead Architect and Microsoft MVP, to help architect, implement and promote Microsoft cloud technology.
If you want to know more about Thomas, check out his blog: www.thomasmaurer.ch and Twitter: www.twitter.com/thomasmaurer
