SQL Server 2012 offers several useful features. The most used is probably the ability to paginate results without the need to use nested queries. However, AlwaysOn is certainly not in the background, providing higher availability, the ability to install on Windows Server Core and more management options from the PowerShell environment. The database backup can be easily saved to Windows Azure a SSMS has improved IntelliSense.
Before each upgrade, it is worth running the Upgrade Advisor first, which is able to detect any problems that may occur during the upgrade. Before installing it, you first need to download Transact-SQL ScriptDom (x86, x64).
After a successful SQL Server upgrade, the old one can be uninstalled if no other instance is using it anymore.
IntelliSence is also a significant benefit. Although it has been in SSMS before, it did not appear as often as Visual Studio developers are used to.
Nothing stands in the way of backing up to Windows Azure. The database can be exported to the open format BACPAC and uploaded to Windows Azure Storage.
The article was written for TechNet Blog CZ/SK.