Microsoft has announced the general availability of SQL Server on Azure Local, giving organisations more flexibility to modernise their database infrastructure while maintaining control over data location and connectivity. The release supports both connected and disconnected environments, helping businesses run critical workloads locally while meeting operational, regulatory, and data sovereignty requirements. It also opens new possibilities for running AI closer to enterprise data.
Here's what you need to know:
Keep SQL Server Workloads Where Your Data Belongs
Organisations can run SQL Server on Azure Local infrastructure in their own datacentres and edge locations, maintaining greater control over data placement and connectivity. With options for connected environments and Azure Local Disconnected Operations (ALDO), businesses can choose a deployment model that meets their operational, security, and connectivity requirements.
Enable AI-Powered Innovation at the Edge
With Foundry Local, organisations can run AI models on Azure Local infrastructure alongside SQL Server, bringing AI inference closer to their data. This helps businesses explore AI-powered applications while keeping sensitive data processing within their environment, particularly in regulated, sovereign, and edge scenarios.
Maximise the Value of Your SQL Server Licences
Modernising your infrastructure doesn't mean starting from scratch. Eligible existing SQL Server licences can help organisations build on their current investments, with licensing options depending on the deployment model and applicable terms. Connected deployments can also use pay-as-you-go licensing through Azure Arc, while fully disconnected deployments can use eligible existing licences through Azure Hybrid Benefit.
Support Sovereign, Regulated, and Edge Environments
Not every workload belongs in the public cloud. SQL Server on Azure Local gives organisations more flexibility to modernise across datacentres, edge locations, and environments with strict sovereignty or connectivity requirements. By combining Azure-consistent infrastructure with local data processing capabilities, businesses can support mission-critical workloads while maintaining control over their infrastructure and operations.
Want to Learn More?
Explore Microsoft's SQL Server on Azure Local announcement and deployment guidance to learn how your organisation can modernise its data infrastructure while meeting its operational requirements. Learn more at Microsoft Learn.
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