According to a Microsoft Data Platform Insider blog posting, the November CTP is "feature complete," with new improvements such as PowerPivot for Microsoft Excel and Microsoft SharePoint Server. PowerPivot will enable easier business intelligence applications in Excel, with sharing and collaboration via SharePoint.
Developers will have to wait for Excel and SharePoint PowerPivot downloads, though. The blog said those would be available "soon."
The previous CTP was made available in August. Enhancements to the August CTP include wizards “to help you quickly set up and enroll instances and Data-Tier Application components into central management,” and dashboard viewpoints to monitor utilization of applications and instances.
Read more in-depth coverage for information on more new features, different packages, versions and pricing.
The final release of SQL Server 2008 R2 is scheduled for the first half of 2010. Download the November CTP here.
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