SQL Server 2005 SP2 is almost here...
We can expect the RTM release of Service Pack 2 for SQL Server 2005 very very soon. In the meantime, please take a look at the updated readme file (dated 9th Jan 2007) 'Whats new in SQL Server 2005 SP2' which is available here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/b/5/2b5e5d37-9b17-423d-bc8f-b11ecd4195b4/WhatsNewSQL2005SP2.htm (this has continually been updated in line with the fixes and changes which are being made).
Here are some of my favourite changes/additions:
- Vardecimal compression
- SSIS no longer required for maintenance plans
- Custom reports (and also changes to the SSMS disk usage report to improve performance)
- Reporting Services integration with MOSS 2007
- Much better setup and install experience (SP1 was a little unpredictable)
- I also like the Data Mining add-in for Excel and Visio 2007 (although this is provided as a Feature Pack download and is not native to SP2) - check it out here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=aa0c2623-b432-4a1f-9a3c-9d64df130a61&DisplayLang=en
