How up-to-date is your SQL Server?

There are several compelling reasons to review your SQL Server environment:

MYOB EXO stores all your data within a Microsoft SQL Server database. As such, it is completely reliant on MS SQL Server to operate efficiently and reliably.

MS SQL Server is an extremely efficient and reliable platform if it is kept up to date and is run on a modern server with sufficient resources and an up-to-date operating system.

New features added to your MYOB EXO software inevitably put additional load on your SQL Server. Later versions of SQL Server have significant performance improvements that will speed up your MYOB EXO experience. For example one of our clients went from a 30 minute backup to around 5 seconds. So if you are finding your MYOB EXO experience a little sluggish it could be that a server refresh is overdue.

Another compelling reason for upgrading your SQL server environment is for the new features. For example MS SQL Server 2012 introduced a new running total function that has potential to simplify and speed up reports and functions such as forecast based purchasing, stock rationing and any otherwise time consuming algorithms that rely on running totals.

With each new MYOB EXO release, minimum system requirements are updated and published in the release notes. The SQL Server version forms part of these requirements.

As a Microsoft Gold partner, MYOB have a policy of providing compatibility with new SQL Server versions as soon as practicable after their release. They also drop support for old SQL versions in line with Microsoft dropping mainstream support for the product.

When MYOB drop support for a version of SQL Server it means:

MYOB will not provide technical support for MYOB Exo in unsupported SQL Server environments.
MYOB programmers may utilise SQL Server functionality which does not exist or is not compatible with older versions of SQL Server. This means that the software may not function on an unsupported SQL Server version.

ainstream support from Microsoft for SQL Server 2005 ended in April 2011 and for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2, mainstream support ended in July of 2014. And while both are in extended support, these will end as well – on April 12, 2016 for SQL Server 2005 and July 9, 2019 for SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2.

Below is a chart that outlines the support timeframes for SQL Server:

The implications for those running old versions of SQL Server once end of support happens are:

• No updates will be developed or released after end of support. This could leave vulnerabilities to hackers, viruses and the like.
• Microsoft’s research suggests retaining old software costs more in increased support than upgrading to more modern software.

So get in touch with us today to discuss your SQL Server environment and work out a plan to keep the foundations of your MYOB EXO system up to date.