Stored Procedures - SQL 2005 vs SQL Express

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Stored Procedures - SQL 2005 vs SQL Express

Mark Chimes

Old Hand

Points: 347
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September 27, 2006 at 5:05 am

#170453

Hi All,
Has anyone heard of incompatibilities between SQL 2005 and SQL Express for any one SP?
A client has purchased an app that requires SQL. I installed SQL Express, as the company only has 7 users. The app vendor is asking for SQL 2005 and the reason they are giving is that SQL Express "will not run our stored procedures".
Would anyone care to comment on this? I was under the impression that SPs ran the same on either version of the SQL engine.
cheers,
Mark Chimes

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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Ninja's_RGR'us SSC Guru Points: 294069 More actions · Answer 1

I would be extremely surprised to learn that. However it may be the case if they are using more advanced services like the integration services. I would ask them which procedure or what part of the application cannot run without the full version.

Also have you tested the application yourself to see if anything was "broken"?

Mark Chimes Old Hand Points: 347 More actions · Answer 2

They are being rather coy about the details.

I have not had the chance to test the application as it is an upgraded version of an app the client has used for some years. The new version has moved from MS Access to SQL, so the client understands how to use the product, but until SQL is on the fileserver, there is no way to test the shortcomings (or which version of SQL will suffice).

Ninja's_RGR'us SSC Guru Points: 294069 More actions · Answer 3

Alright, I would then ask them to install the software on your domain and see if it works. If it does then accept the contract, if not then return it .

Or you could ask them specifically if they use ssis or any other non express features and tell them that you won't buy it without that answer and a test. I don't think you'd be out of line in asking that.

Mark Chimes Old Hand Points: 347 More actions · Answer 4

I'm inclined to agree with you. Trouble though is I am just the "outside" consultant who gets called in after decisions have been made. The client will use this software even if they have to buy the more expensive SQL Server 2005, against the very cheap SQL Express. We are talking about a difference for over $4000, and as I said before, the client has less than 10 users.

I considered installing SQL Express and not telling the vendor, to see what the result would be, but even thinking that way means I have to stoop to non-professional behaviour just to get a clear cut result. When it all boils down, I would rather the client pay more than me displaying no scruples, so I guess this is going to be an expensive exercise for the client, particularly as they made the decison AFTER commissioning a new Small Business Server *without* SQL. If they had gotten things in the right order, the extra SQL Server would have cost them $500 and everyone would be happy.

Thanks for your help.

Ninja's_RGR'us SSC Guru Points: 294069 More actions · Answer 5

You can always ask the client if they would agree to first try the express install. If that fail they can always go buy the full install afterwards. But I have no idea about the schedule of the deployement so I don't know if this is achievable.

This would make you look professional (trying to save them money AND accounting for their opinion). I wouldn't worry about the vendor as he is not YOUR CLIENT... that being said, I wouldn't go out of my way to piss the vendor off either .