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ABSOLUTE DATA EXCELLENCE

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Ascent Technology Logo

ABSOLUTE DATA EXCELLENCE

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FROM THE DESK OF THE MD
Preparing for the SQL Server 2025 Era – Ascent’s Guidance

Preparing for the SQL Server 2025 Era – Ascent’s Guidance

Prepare for the SQL Server 2025 era with a sequenced strategy for modernisation, optimisation, and protection across architecture, operations, and enterprise risk.Key Takeaways SQL Server 2025 should be approached as the start of a broader platform era, not simply...

Security by Default – Protecting the Enterprise in SQL Server 2025

Explore how SQL Server 2025 strengthens enterprise security through enforced secure defaults, identity integration, encryption, and governance assurance across hybrid environments.Key Takeaways SQL Server 2025 shifts enterprise security from optional hardening to...

Preparing for the SQL Server 2025 Era – Ascent’s Guidance

Preparing for the SQL Server 2025 Era – Ascent’s Guidance

Prepare for the SQL Server 2025 era with a sequenced strategy for modernisation, optimisation, and protection across architecture, operations, and enterprise risk.Key Takeaways SQL Server 2025 should be approached as the start of a broader platform era, not simply...

Security by Default – Protecting the Enterprise in SQL Server 2025

Security by Default – Protecting the Enterprise in SQL Server 2025

Explore how SQL Server 2025 strengthens enterprise security through enforced secure defaults, identity integration, encryption, and governance assurance across hybrid environments.Key Takeaways SQL Server 2025 shifts enterprise security from optional hardening to...

SQL Server 2025 – Redefining the Modern Data Platform

Explore how SQL Server 2025 reshapes the modern data platform with AI-ready capabilities, developer-first enhancements, hybrid modernisation, and practical upgrade readiness guidance.Key Takeaways SQL Server 2025 represents a shift from database upgrade to platform...

CAMPAIGNS
Azure by Credit Card vs CSP: Why Finance and IT Prefer CSP

Azure by Credit Card vs CSP: Why Finance and IT Prefer CSP

Still paying Microsoft for Azure by credit card? Discover why finance and IT leaders prefer the CSP model for predictable billing, built-in partner support, cost optimisation, and long-term value.Key Takeways Credit card billing creates risk - Failed or expired...

Prepare for SQL Server 2014 End of Support

On July 9, 2024, support for SQL Server 2014 ended. That means the end of regular security updates. Don't let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We're here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance and innovation.We've...

Prepare for SQL Server 2012 End of Support

On July 12, 2022, support for SQL Server 2012 ended. That means the end of regular security updates. Don't let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We're here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance and...

Azure by Credit Card vs CSP: Why Finance and IT Prefer CSP

Azure by Credit Card vs CSP: Why Finance and IT Prefer CSP

Still paying Microsoft for Azure by credit card? Discover why finance and IT leaders prefer the CSP model for predictable billing, built-in partner support, cost optimisation, and long-term value.Key Takeways Credit card billing creates risk - Failed or expired...

Prepare for SQL Server 2014 End of Support

Prepare for SQL Server 2014 End of Support

On July 9, 2024, support for SQL Server 2014 ended. That means the end of regular security updates. Don't let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We're here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance and innovation.We've...

Prepare for Windows Server 2012 End of Support

On October 10, 2023, support for Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 ended. That means the end of regular security updates. Don't let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We're here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance...

Prepare for SQL Server 2008 End of Support

On July 9, 2019, support for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will end. That means the end of regular security updates. Don't let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We're here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance and...

NEWSFLASHES
Season’s Greetings from the Ascent Technology Team

Season’s Greetings from the Ascent Technology Team

As the year draws to a close, we would like to express our appreciation to our clients, partners, and colleagues for the trust and collaboration that have defined the year. We wish you and your teams a restful festive season and a successful year ahead, and we look...

Ascent’s SQL Server 2025 Blog Post Series

Microsoft SQL Server 2025 marks an important shift in how organisations modernise, optimise, and protect their data platforms. As data estates become more hybrid, more intelligent, and more tightly governed, SQL Server 2025 is no longer just another upgrade cycle. It...

Microsoft Tiered EA/MPSA Pricing Ends – Explore the CSP Advantage

Standardised pricing will replace Microsoft’s long-standing tiered discount model - prompting many organisations to review the CSP programme for its cost savings, licensing flexibility, and simplified management.Microsoft Tiered EA/MPSA Pricing Ends Microsoft will...

Season’s Greetings from the Ascent Technology Team

Season’s Greetings from the Ascent Technology Team

As the year draws to a close, we would like to express our appreciation to our clients, partners, and colleagues for the trust and collaboration that have defined the year. We wish you and your teams a restful festive season and a successful year ahead, and we look...

Ascent’s SQL Server 2025 Blog Post Series

Ascent’s SQL Server 2025 Blog Post Series

Microsoft SQL Server 2025 marks an important shift in how organisations modernise, optimise, and protect their data platforms. As data estates become more hybrid, more intelligent, and more tightly governed, SQL Server 2025 is no longer just another upgrade cycle. It...

Season’s Greetings from the Ascent Technology Team

As we wrap up the year, we’d like to extend our sincere thanks to our clients, colleagues, and partners for your continued trust and support. We hope the festive season brings you the chance to slow down, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. Warm wishes...

Ascent Technology’s clients benefit from Data Platform Modernisation

Facing platform ‘end of life’ issues together with increasing pressures to digitise processes, increase profitability and innovate on product and service, organisations are finding Data Platform Modernisation projects can deliver significant value by enabling IT cost...

CLIENT CASE STUDIES
DB Administration, Security and Compliance for First Distribution

DB Administration, Security and Compliance for First Distribution

First Distribution’s Database Administration, Security and Compliance needs lead it to trusted advisor, Ascent Technology. For any large organisation, Database Administration (DBA) is a vital part of maintaining their Data Platform Operations effectively. As it has...

Ascent Technology helps Bidfood SA migrate to Microsoft Azure

When Bidfood SA chose to modernise and migrate its data platform to Microsoft Azure, it turned to Ascent Technology for help. In a world that is digitally transforming, it is more vital than ever to an organisation’s success to utilise the latest platforms to drive...

Ascent Technology helps migrate Phumelela Gaming to Azure

A Windows Server and SQL Server consolidation, optimisation and migration to Microsoft Azure enables the company to reduce costs, modernise its data platform and boost its innovation capabilities. As an operator running two distinct betting businesses, Phumelela...

DB Administration, Security and Compliance for First Distribution

DB Administration, Security and Compliance for First Distribution

First Distribution’s Database Administration, Security and Compliance needs lead it to trusted advisor, Ascent Technology. For any large organisation, Database Administration (DBA) is a vital part of maintaining their Data Platform Operations effectively. As it has...

Ascent Technology helps Bidfood SA migrate to Microsoft Azure

Ascent Technology helps Bidfood SA migrate to Microsoft Azure

When Bidfood SA chose to modernise and migrate its data platform to Microsoft Azure, it turned to Ascent Technology for help. In a world that is digitally transforming, it is more vital than ever to an organisation’s success to utilise the latest platforms to drive...

Ascent helps migrate Compatible Automotive to Azure

Microsoft Azure Data Platform Services not only boosts the company’s DR facilities, it also helps them deliver value-added services and innovative strategic solutions to its customers. In a digitising world, it comes as no surprise to learn that Compatible Automotive...

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Microsoft Data and Analytics Partner of the Year Finalist

Microsoft Data and Analytics Partner of the Year Finalist

Ascent Technology continues its strong showing in the Microsoft Partner of the Year awards, as a finalist in the Data and Analytics Partner of the Year award.Finalist Data and Analytics Partner of the Year "It is always gratifying to be recognised by Microsoft as one...

Microsoft Data and Analytics Partner of the Year Finalist

Microsoft Data and Analytics Partner of the Year Finalist

Ascent Technology continues its strong showing in the Microsoft Partner of the Year awards, as a finalist in the Data and Analytics Partner of the Year award.Finalist Data and Analytics Partner of the Year "It is always gratifying to be recognised by Microsoft as one...

Microsoft Data and Analytics Partner of the Year Finalist

Microsoft Data and Analytics Partner of the Year Finalist

Ascent Technology continues its strong showing in the Microsoft Partner of the Year awards, as a finalist in the Data and Analytics Partner of the Year award.Finalist Data and Analytics Partner of the Year "It is always gratifying to be recognised by Microsoft as one...

Harness the Power SQL Server 2016

Upgrade to SQL Server 2016 with Ascent Technology

Gain real-time insights across your transactional and analytical data with SQL Server 2016 – a secure, scalable database platform that has everything built in, from advanced analytics to unparalleled in-memory performance – the first database that is born in the cloud, setting a new standard for the pace of innovation.

Five reasons why you will Love everything built into SQL Server 2016


Industry-leading OLTP
Build mission-critical applications for online transaction processing (OLTP) with breakthrough scalability, in-memory performance, and high availability.

Least vulnerable database
Protect data at rest and in motion with new Always Encrypted. SQL Server with is the least vulnerable database for six years running in the NIST vulnerabilities database.

End-to-end mobile BI
Transform data into actionable insights. Deliver insights on any device—online or offline—at one-fifth the cost of other business intelligence (BI) solutions.

In-database advanced analytics
Analyze operational data using R Services, in real time and at scale, directly within SQL Server database—without moving the data for analysis.

From on-premises to cloud
Whether data is in your datacenter, private cloud, or Microsoft Azure, get a consistent experience across server and database as a service.

SQL Sever 2005 Support EndsUpgrade to SQL Server 2016

Evaluate SQL Server 2016 with the SQL Server and Microsoft Azure SQL Database Trials.

Download the SQL Server 2016 trial
SQL Server 2016 technical documentation

How do I engage with Ascent?

We encourage you to Contact Us, and we will assist you on your journey to discover the value that Microsoft SQL Server 2016 can add to your organisation.