Microsoft Updates Database Migration Tool

A refreshed version of SQL Server Migration Assistant looks to ease migration from MySQL to SQL Server and SQL Azure

Microsoft has released a database migration tool with the aim of bringing MySQL users to SQL Server and SQL Azure.

Microsoft added the new tool kit in a refresh of its existing SSMA (SQL Server Migration Assistant) family of products. In addition, the company added SSMA for Microsoft Access to provide direct migration from Access products to SQL Server and SQL Azure.

“The tool kits were designed to tackle the complex manual process customers deal with when migrating databases,” said a 12 August post on the SQL Server team blog.

Reduced Manual Effort

“In using the SQL Server Migration Assistants, customers and partners reduce the manual effort; as a result the time, cost and risks associated with migrating are significantly reduced.”

The SSMA tool kits are available for free download. Also served by the product family are the latest versions of the Oracle and Sybase databases. With the new releases, customers can migrate to any edition of SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 or SQL Server 2005.

SSMA for MySQL v1.0 is designed to work with MySQL 4.1 and above, and includes the ability to convert and migrate tables and stored procedures, according to Microsoft.