SQL Server 2000/MSDE/SQL 2005 Express mixed environment REDUX

I am getting ready to move to a HQ/Store system (from a single store). Is SQL Server required? What is the downside of just using the bundled MSDE.

I also have the same question below, because I would like to try 2K5E.

Jason

We're running SQL 2k, 2k5 Express and MSDE across our three stores in a rather mix and match fashion (even our domain controllers don't all match) and the only trouble I've had was with scheduling automated backups of the MSDE databases. Other than that, it all works just like every other SQL Server instance. Oh, one thing though: SQL 2k5 Express defaults to running a local instance instead of a publicly shared instance. It's not hard to change but it can cause some unnecessary frustration.

Be sure to nab a copy of Management Studio Express while you're at it. Free and powerful.

-- Shaun

Terrible Tom wrote:

Not sure what a managed post is, but...

You don't have to make the switch all at once. The assorted RMS programs are just using SQL Server (2000, 2005, MSDE or Express) as a data source. Almost all of the communication between and within stores is going to be handled by the RMS applications themselves. The one place that you MIGHT have an issue would be if you mix 2000 & 2005 within a store and are using Offline databases at the register. I think you will want to have the server and the registers in a store all using the same version.

One other caveat that I just saw posted by Jeff in another group - If you upgrade the server at HQ to use SQL Server 2005, the store databases that it exports will not work with MSDE. Existing stores using MSDE would continue to work.

Finally, even though it's not required to change everything at once, I would want to get out of a mixed environment as quickly as I could. Why support different systems - consistency between the stores will make management and troubleshooting easier.

Somewhere down the line, MS is going to stop supporting RMS on MSDE, so everyone is going to need to upgrade eventually, but that is probably at least a year away.

Glenn Adams Tiber Creek C> I don't consider myself stupid, but when it comes to making a managed post

HQ will run on MSDE. However, once you are in a multi-store environment, other factors like database size and user count tend to push you toward a full SQL Server Edition. You really need to work with a partner to determine your specific needs now and into the near future.

Glenn Adams Tiber Creek C> I am getting ready to move to a HQ/Store system (from a single store). Is

Glenn,

By "managed post" I meant a post that qualified for my Managed Newsgroups benefit. You know this, man.

Thanks for the input. I will try using 2K5E next month when I roll out store #4. My store database will be exported from SQL2000 for use on a server running 2K5E. I'll post an update after I've tried it.

One more thing - if one of the big justifications for 1.3R was SQL 2005 compatibility, why does the 1.3R CD install MSDE instead of 2K5E? Could it be that MS is hoping to sell more full versions of SQL to folks that are unaware of the 2K5E option, or are they just too lazy and/or impatient to make the change before release? In either case, I think they did the wrong thing. 1.3R should have shipped with 2K5E, not MSDE.

Tom

"Glenn Adams [MVP - Retail Mgmt]" wrote:

It would have been nice if they had at least included the SQL Express installers on the CD. I think that they stayed with the MSDE install because it's really much easier to install. As long as you remember the sa password you entered durning install, MSDE is going to work. There's more involved with SQL Express, and even though it's not all that hard to figure out, I think they went with the 'less is more' approach. Hopefully by the next scheduled release (2.0 in early 2007) they will integrate a silent installer for SQL Express into the RMS install and include documentation for network configuration.

Glenn Adams Tiber Creek C> Glenn,