Microsoft officials are planning to give attendees of its Business Intelligence Conference a bird's eye view into the next generation of SQL Server.

Code-named "Katmai," the upcoming version of SQL Server is slated for release in 2008. Microsoft veteran Ted Kummert is expected to go into more detail about the product in his keynote address at the conference on May 10.

"We developed SQL Server with the goal of providing a data management and analysis platform for all companies regardless of size or budget," said Kummert, Microsoft's vice president of the Data and Storage Platform Division, in a statement. "With the release of 'Katmai,' we'll take the next step on our data platform vision by delivering a comprehensive and integrated business intelligence solution. Expanding the usability of data across businesses will give customers more value for their IT investments."

Microsoft officials listed a number of overarching goals for SQL Server "Katmai" such as tighter integration with the 2007 Microsoft Office system. In addition, the release will make good on the parting pledge of Paul Flessner, former Microsoft senior vice president of the Data Storage and Platform Division, to go beyond relational data. SQL Server "Katmai" will enable users to manage any data type, including relational data, documents, geographic information and XML, company officials said.

In addition, the new version of the data management and analysis platform provides an integrated development environment with Microsoft Visual Studio and .NET Framework that will accelerate development of new applications with an increased level of data abstraction as well as permit developers to synchronize data from virtually any device into the central data store, company officials said.

Copyright 2007 by Ziff Davis Media, Distributed by United Press International