SQL Server is Microsoft’s flagship database product and has been in use for more than a decade. Microsoft recently announced to release SQL Server 2016 next year and has already released the preview version. The new 2016 release will have significant improvements in security features, in-memory OLTP, analytics and Stretch Database. Here is a list of features comparing SQL Server 2012 and 2014.

The list contains features we now use in SQL Server 2014 but were not in 2012 version.

What’s New in SQL Server 2014 since SQL Server 2012?

PERFORMANCE & SCALE

• In-Memory OLTP
• Enhanced In-Memory ColumnStore for DW
• Buffer Pool Extension to SSDs
• Enhanced Query Processing
• Resource Governor adds IO governance
• SysPrep at cluster level
• Predictable performance with tiering of compute, network, and storage with Windows Server 2012 R2

HIGH AVAILABILITY

• Enhanced AlwaysOn, with 8 secondary’s and Replica Wizard
• Delayed Durability
• Clustered Shared Volume support, VHDX support (Windows Server 2012 R2)
• Manage on-premises and cloud apps (System Center 2012 R2)

SECURITY

• Enhanced separation of duty
• CC certification at High Assurance Level for 2014
• Backup encryption support

PROGRAMMABILITY

• Query optimization enhancements

EASY ACCESS TO DATA, BIG & SMALL

• Power Query
• Windows Azure HDInsight Service
• Analytics Platform System (PDW V2)

POWERFUL INSIGHTS WITH FAMILIAR TOOLS

• Power BI in Office 365
• Power Map for Excel
• Mobile interfaces for Power BI

HYBRID CLOUD SOLUTIONS

• Simplified backup to Windows Azure
• Support for backup of previous versions of SQL Server to Windows Azure
• Cloud back-up encryption support
• Simplified cloud Disaster Recovery with AlwaysOn replicas in Windows Azure VMs

EASY ON-RAMP TO THE CLOUD

• New Windows Azure Deployment UI
  for SQL Server
• Larger SQL Server VMs and memory sizes now available in Windows Azure