Azure SQL Managed Instance

Azure SQL Managed Instance is a cloud database service that combines SQL Server database engine compatibility with a managed platform as a service (PaaS). SQL Managed Instance has near 100% compatibility with the latest SQL Server (Enterprise Edition) database engine, providing a native virtual network (VNet) implementation that addresses common security concerns, and a business model favorable for existing SQL Server customers.

SQL Managed Instance allows existing SQL Server customers to lift and shift their on-premises applications to the cloud with minimal application and database changes. At the same time, SQL Managed Instance preserves all PaaS capabilities (automatic patching and version updates, automated backups, high availability) that reduce management overhead and TCO.

Database features in common with SQL Server include: Automatic tuning (plan forcing), Change tracking, Database collation, Contained databases, Contained users, Data compression, Database configuration settings, Online index operations, Partitioning, and Temporal tables (see getting started guide).