[This article was contributed by the SQL Azure team.]

We created a quick 10 minute video that provides an overview of the pricing meters and billing associated with using SQL Azure.  The pricing model for SQL Azure is one of the most straightforward in the industry – it’s basically just a function of database size and amount of data going in and out of our cloud datacenters. 

What’s covered are:

• the business benefits of utilizing our cloud database
• a comparison and overview of the different editions of SQL Azure database
• understanding the pricing meters
• examples of pricing
• a walk-through of viewing your bill

You can also view it in full-screen mode by going here and clicking on the full-screen icon in the lower right when you play the video.

If you haven’t already, for a limited time, new customers to SQL Azure get a 1GB Web Edition Database for no charge and no commitment for 90 days.  You also get free usage of Windows Azure and AppFabric services through June 30.  This is a great way to evaluate the SQL Azure and the Windows Azure platform without any of the risk.  Details on the offer are here. There are also several different offers available on the Windows Azure offer page. 

Have a great weekend!  We have some great information lined up for next week.  I’m a huge fan of the Discovery Channel, and Shark Week is an event I annually mark on my calendar.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so next week will be “Migration Week” here on the blog, where we’ll have some materials and guidance on migrating from Access and on-premises databases to SQL Azure and why it’s important.  Tune in!

-Steve