This is a significant opportunity for our partners to migrate those on-premises workloads to Azure.

Now is the ideal time to upgrade, modernize and transform to current versions of SQL Server, Windows Server and Azure services for more security, performance and innovation.

• Support for SQL Server 2008/2008 R2 ends July 9, 2019
• Support for Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 ends January 14, 2020

When those workloads are migrated to Azure Virtual Machines, they will have access to three years of Extended Security Updates for both SQL Server and Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2, after the End of Support deadlines, included at no additional charge over the standard VM pricing.

Migrating to Azure brings cost saving opportunities with Azure Hybrid Use Benefit and Reserved Instances:

• Save up to 55% on migrations to Azure SQL Database with Azure Hybrid Benefit
• Save up to 80% on Windows Server with Azure Hybrid Benefit and Reserved Instances

Avoid significant costs paying for Extended Support if your customer needs to continue using Windows 2008 and SQL 2008 after support ends.

• End of support for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 is July 9, 2019
• End of support for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 is January 14, 2020

If you’re running Windows Server or SQL Server 2008 or 2008 R2, these versions are reaching the end of their support lifecycle. Each version is backed by a minimum of 10 years of support (5 years for Mainstream Support and 5 years for Extended Support) including regular security updates. End of support means the end of security updates, which can cause security and compliance issues and put applications and business at risk. We recommend upgrading to current versions for the most advanced security, performance, and innovation. For customers that can’t get it all upgraded by the deadline, new options help protect applications and data during the upgrade transition.

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

Migrate your workloads to Azure

Running current versions of software enables you to benefit from the latest security, performance, and innovation features, as well as regular security updates.

If you cannot upgrade to the latest version before the deadline, however, rehost workloads in Azure and get three years of Extended Security Updates at no additional charge. Gain these benefits:

• More time to modernize on your terms.
• Security built into Azure, plus more than 70 compliance certifications.

Use your existing Windows Server and SQL Server licenses to save on Azure Virtual Machines and Azure SQL Database Managed Instance with the Azure Hybrid Benefit.

Secure on-premises; plan for hybrid

If you cannot upgrade on-premises servers before the deadline, get peace of mind by buying Extended Security Updates for your servers running Windows Server or SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2.

Gain more time to complete your upgrade process.
Upgrade to an operating system and data platform designed specifically for hybrid data center scenarios: Windows Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017 editions.

Customers can buy Extended Security Updates for three years after end of support. Eligibility requires active Software Assurance or Subscription licenses under an Enterprise Agreement.

Customers pay for only the servers they need to cover annually, which enables them to reduce costs as they upgrade.