Many companies choose SQL Server 2025 when planning new infrastructure to avoid upgrading again in a short time. Buying the newer version often aligns better with long-term support and future projects.
The most common issue is choosing the wrong edition for the workload or underestimating core-based licensing needs. Clarifying usage and growth expectations upfront helps avoid costly corrections later.
SQL Server can run on both Windows Server and certain Windows desktop environments, but production systems typically use a server OS for stability, performance, and security.
Growth planning is important. Some companies start with Standard edition and later move to Enterprise if performance or availability requirements increase.