A SQL Server migration moves your databases to new hardware, a new version, or the cloud. An upgrade moves you to a newer SQL Server release. Both are routine when planned, and painful when rushed. The work is the same shape every time: know what you have, test the move on a copy, then cut over in a window you control. The surprises live in the testing you skip.
Most migration disasters are not technical. They are a cutover with no rollback plan. We always have one.
Why upgrade at all
- End of support. Old SQL Server versions stop getting security fixes. That is a compliance and risk problem, not just a missing feature.
- Performance. Newer versions plan queries better and use modern hardware properly.
- Licensing. An upgrade is the moment to right-size editions and stop overpaying.
On-prem or Azure?
Three real options when you move to Azure, and they are not interchangeable.
- SQL Server on an Azure VM. The most like what you have now. You still run the OS and patching. Easiest lift.
- Azure SQL Managed Instance. Near-full SQL Server, managed for you. The usual landing spot for existing apps.
- Azure SQL Database. Single databases, fully managed. Great for new builds, more work to retro-fit old apps.
How we run a migration
- We inventory every database, version, dependency and job. The list is always longer than people expect.
- We test the move on a copy. Compatibility, performance, the overnight jobs. We find the breakage here, not on cutover night.
- We plan the cutover with a rollback. A window, a checklist, and a way back if something fails.
- We cut over, watch it, and stay on it until it is quiet.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a SQL Server migration take?
A single database can be days. A full estate with old apps and overnight jobs is weeks, most of it testing. We give you a real timeline after the inventory, not a guess.
Will my application still work after an upgrade?
Usually, and we prove it on a copy before cutover. Compatibility level lets us upgrade the engine while keeping the old query behaviour, then move forward when you are ready.
Should I move to Azure or stay on-prem?
It depends on your workload, your team, and your costs. We model both, including licensing and Azure Hybrid Benefit, and give you the numbers. Sometimes the answer is to stay.
Book a migration assessment
Planning a move or stuck on an old version? We will inventory your estate and hand you a migration plan with a real timeline. Book a migration assessment.
Want to know if this is sitting in your estate? We run a read-only check and hand you a graded report in plain English.
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