This is needed to provide a more up to date environment for SQL Server based services and bring the SQL Server service into a more resilient and “enterprise” scaled infrastructure. This will allow us to bring the load balancer technologies more into use with these systems to provide the same features (including load balancing) for Windows-based services that we currently provide for our Linux-based services.

In addition, existing systems or new one to come in the near future with a requirement to run SQL Server 2012. We need to ensure we are in a position where we have the experience and knowledge of installing and running this version of the software.

This will benefit us by ensuring minimised delay for projects with the need for this version of the software, continued supportable position for the Microsoft database product set within the University and exposure by the technical teams in the install/upgrade and running of the new version with an appreciation of its new feature set for use in other project and support areas