Need a SQL Server upgrade? SQL Server 2016 reached end of support on July 14, 2026, and SQL Server 2014 and 2012 lost support years before that. If your business still runs one of them, your data sits on a database that no longer gets regular security fixes.

ITsoft’s SQL Server upgrade service moves you to a supported version, on your own servers or in Azure, with a tested plan, a rollback path and as little downtime as possible. We’ve built and supported SQL Server databases since 2003 for businesses across the United States.

Get a Free SQL Server Upgrade Assessment

Is your SQL Server still supported?

Out-of-support databases are a real risk. New vulnerabilities stay unpatched, cyber insurers and auditors increasingly flag them, and newer applications and drivers stop supporting them. Microsoft sells Extended Security Updates as a paid, temporary bridge, but it’s a delay, not a plan.

Your SQL Server upgrade options

• In-place or side-by-side upgrade to SQL Server 2022 or 2025: move your databases to a supported version on your own servers, usually on new hardware or a new VM.
• Azure SQL Managed Instance: the closest cloud option to SQL Server, with backups and patching handled for you and minimal application changes.
• Azure SQL Database: fully managed and scalable, for databases that don’t need instance-level features.
• SQL Server on an Azure VM: full control in the cloud, for apps that need a specific version or configuration.

Not sure which fits? That’s what the free assessment is for. We’ll recommend the option that matches your applications, budget and compliance needs, not the one with the biggest invoice.

What our SQL Server upgrade service includes

• Assessment: inventory of instances, databases, jobs, linked servers, SSIS/SSRS packages and connected applications
• Compatibility testing: we run Microsoft’s assessment tools and test your code for deprecated features before anything moves
• Licensing guidance: core counts, editions, and whether Standard edition is enough
• Migration and cutover: usually scheduled after hours or over a weekend, with a documented rollback plan
• Performance tuning: index and query tuning after the move, so your databases run faster, not just newer
• Ongoing support: backups, monitoring and maintenance after go-live

How a SQL Server upgrade works

1. Free assessment: we review your SQL Server environment and the applications that depend on it.
2. Plan: you get a written scope, target version, timeline and cost estimate.
3. Test migration: we migrate a copy first and your team tests real workflows against it.
4. Cutover: we move production during a planned window and verify every database, job and connection.
5. Tune and support: we tune performance in the first weeks and stay on hand for issues.

Why businesses choose ITsoft for SQL Server upgrades

• Database specialists since 2003: SQL Server work is our core, not a side service.
• We test before we move: every upgrade starts with a test migration your team signs off on.
• Remote and nationwide: we deliver upgrades securely over remote access, anywhere in the U.S.
• Plain-English plans: you’ll know the cost, timeline and risks before we start.

SQL Server upgrade FAQs

Can we upgrade straight from SQL Server 2012 or 2014 to 2022?

In most cases, yes. Databases can usually move directly to a current version, though some older features and compatibility settings need changes. Our assessment identifies those before the upgrade.

How much downtime should we expect?

For most small and mid-size databases, the production cutover takes a few hours and is scheduled outside business hours. Larger or busier systems can be migrated with methods that keep downtime to a minimum.

Should we buy Extended Security Updates instead?

ESUs can make sense as a short bridge if an upgrade isn’t possible right away, but they’re paid, temporary and only cover security fixes. Most businesses are better off putting that budget toward the upgrade.

Do you work with businesses outside Oklahoma?

Yes. ITsoft is headquartered in Oklahoma City and delivers SQL Server projects remotely nationwide.

Get a free SQL Server upgrade assessment

Tell us which versions you’re running and what depends on them, and we’ll tell you the safest way forward.

Talk to Mike Treat about your SQL Server

Related reading: SQL Server 2016 end of support · What are SQL Server consulting services? · Microsoft Access to SQL Server migration · Windows Server upgrade services