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Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 delivers comprehensive spatial support that enables organizations to seamlessly consume, use, and extend location-based data through spatial-enabled applications which ultimately helps end users make better decisions.<br />http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/data-warehousing.aspx<br />TOP NEW FEATURES<br />Use the new geography data type to store geodetic spatial data and perform operations on it<br />Use the new geometry data type to store planar spatial data and perform operations on it<br />Take advantage of new spatial indexes for high performance queries<br />Use the new spatial results tab to quickly and easily view spatial query results directly from within Management Studio<br />Extend spatial data capabilities by building or integrating location-enabled applications through support for spatial standards and specifications <br />INCORPORATE GEOGRAPHIC FACTORS INTO DECISION MAKING PROCESSES AND ANALYSIS <br />The growing ability of businesses and consumers to quickly absorb large volumes of data, together with the increased availability of digital maps and spatially-enabled applications has created an unprecedented opportunity to incorporate geographic factors into decision making processes and analysis. <br />The spatial support in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 can help you make better decisions through visual analysis of location data in scenarios such as:<br />Consumer-focused location-based information <br />Customer-base management and development<br />Environmental-related data impact, analysis, and planning <br />Financial and economic analysis in communities<br />Government-based planning and development analysis<br />Market segmentation and analysis<br />Scientific research study design and analysis<br />Real-estate development and analysis<br />COMPREHENSIVE SPATIAL SUPPORT<br />Build spatial capabilities into your applications by using the support for spatial data in SQL Server 2008.<br />Work with geodetic data<br />Implement Round Earth solutions with the geography data type. Use latitude and longitude coordinates to define areas on the Earth’s surface. Associate geographical data with industry standard ellipsoids, such as WGS84, which is used in GPS-enabled solutions worldwide. <br />Geodetic model<br />Work with planar data<br />Implement Flat Earth solutions with the geometry data type. Store polygons, points, and lines that are associated with projected planar surfaces and naturally planar data, such as interior spaces.<br />Planar model<br />Build on industry standards<br />Import and export spatial data in industry-standard formats, such as Well Known Text, Well Known Binary, and Geographic Markup Language (GML).Take advantage of geometry data type compatibility with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards for geometric data types. <br />Perform spatial operations<br />Use the methods provided by SQL Server 2008 spatial data types to write Transact-SQL code that performs operations on spatial data, such as finding intersections between geospatial objects and distances between locations. <br />HIGH PERFORMANCE SPATIAL DATA CAPABILITIES <br />Achieve high performance spatial capabilities with SQL Server 2008.<br />Store large and complex spatial objects<br />Use the spatial types in SQL Server 2008 to accommodate spatial objects, regardless of whether the objects are simple or very complex. <br />Build high-performance solutions with spatial data indexing<br />Enhance query performance by using indexes for spatial data that are integrated into the SQL Server database engine. Take advantage of accurate query optimizer cost assessment for spatial queries that can determine the optimal query plan and identify appropriate index selection.<br />View results directly from within Management Studio<br />Use the new spatial results tab to easily view spatial query results directly from within SQL Server Management Studio. This tab offers simple projection and zoom/pan capabilities for quick investigation. <br />Spatial Results Tab<br />Consolidate relational and spatial data in business applications<br />Use the native support for spatial data types in SQL Server 2008 to seamlessly incorporate spatial data into line-of-business applications. Avoid the performance and manageability issues associated with a dedicated spatial data store.<br />GEOSPATIAL APPLICATION EXTENSIBILITY<br />Extend spatial support by integrating spatial data in SQL Server 2008 with location-enabled applications and services. <br />Build spatial solutions of any scale<br />Take advantage of spatial support in multiple editions of SQL Server 2008, from SQL Server Express to SQL Server Enterprise Edition. <br />Use spatial standards support to integrate applications<br />Leverage a .NET-based geometry library that supports OGC standards. Build applications that consume and manipulate spatial data. Integrate with geospatial services, such as Microsoft Virtual Earth™, to build comprehensive location-enabled solutions that render your spatial data for display.<br />Virtual Earth SDK<br />Benefit from spatial community support<br />Take advantage of spatial products and services offered by Microsoft partners that integrate with SQL Server 2008. Microsoft maintains partnerships with the leading GIS application providers and a range of spatial community organizations, integrators, and ISVs.<br />