{"id":1794,"date":"2019-01-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azure.microsoft.com\/blog\/our-2019-resolution-help-you-transform-your-2008-server-applications-with-azure"},"modified":"2025-06-10T07:41:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T14:41:51","slug":"our-2019-resolution-help-you-transform-your-2008-server-applications-with-azure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azure.microsoft.com\/en-us\/blog\/our-2019-resolution-help-you-transform-your-2008-server-applications-with-azure\/","title":{"rendered":"Our 2019 Resolution: Help you transform your 2008 server applications with Azure!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This blog post was co-authored by Erin Chapple, CVP, Microsoft Windows Server, and Rohan Kumar, CVP, Microsoft Data.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beginning of a new year is always a time to reflect on our plans. At Microsoft, with the end of support for 2008 servers looming<\/a>, we\u2019ve been thinking about how we can help you with your server refresh journey. How can we enable you to take advantage of all the cutting-edge innovations available in Azure?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as we take stock, we believe that the 3 reasons why Azure is the best place to transform your 2008 server applications are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Security:<\/strong> With security threats becoming more and more sophisticated, increasing your organization\u2019s security policies should be top of mind. The good news is that Azure<\/a> is the most trusted cloud in the market with more certifications than any other public cloud.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Innovation:<\/strong> We have an optimized, low-risk path to help you embrace Azure<\/a>. And once you are there, you can continue to innovate with fully-managed services such as Azure SQL Database<\/a>, Azure Cosmos DB<\/a> and Azure AI<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Cost savings:<\/strong> By taking advantage of Azure Hybrid Benefit<\/a> and Extended Security updates<\/a>, you can save significantly. For example, moving a hundred 2008 servers to Azure can save you more than $300K over 3 years compared to the cost of running them on-premises (check out our Azure TCO calculator<\/a> to do your own modelling). And you don\u2019t need to think past Azure for Windows Server and SQL Server: AWS is 5x more expensive<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Get started now \u2013 we\u2019re here to help!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The end of support for SQL Server 2008\/R2 is now less than six months away on July 9th, 2019 and support ends for Windows Server 2008\/R2 on January 14th, 2020<\/strong>. Windows 7<\/a>, Office 2010<\/a> and Exchange Server<\/a> are also ending their extended support soon. Microsoft and our partners are here to help you in every step of the way. Here are 3 steps to help you make the shift to a modern estate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 1: Assess your environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The first step is to get a complete inventory of your 2008 server environment. Rank each workload by strategic value to your organization. Answer questions like: How would this workload benefit from running in the cloud? What needs to remain on-premises? What is your strategy for upgrading each server to current versions? By establishing your priorities and objectives at the start, you can ensure a more successful migration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For detailed guidance, visit the Azure Database Migration Guide<\/a>, the Microsoft SQL Server Docs<\/a> and the Windows Server Docs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 2: Know your options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Microsoft offers a wide range of solutions to modernize your 2008 server applications on your terms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Azure SQL Database Managed Instance:<\/strong> Get full engine compatibility with existing SQL Server deployments (starting with SQL Server 2008), while enabling PaaS capabilities (automatic patching and version updates, automated backups, high-availability) and AI-based features that drastically reduce management overhead and TCO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Windows Server and SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines:<\/strong> Get the flexibility of virtualization for a wide range of computing solutions\u2014development and testing, running applications and extending your datacenter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Windows Server and SQL Server on-premises:<\/strong> Bring innovative security and compliance features, industry-leading performance, mission-critical availability, advanced analytics built-in and new deployment options such as containers. Refresh your hardware and software infrastructure with Windows Server 2016 and 2019<\/a> and SQL Server 2017 and 2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 3: Make the move<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Build your cloud migration plan using four widely adopted strategies: rehost, refactor, rearchitect, and rebuild applications<\/a>. Choose the right mix for your business, considering the new database and OS options. Join our upcoming webinars and events to learn more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n