SQL Server 2008 R2 is the next-generation information platform that is designed to deliver the following:

Managed self-service business intelligence. Expanding powerful BI tools to all users with SQL Server PowerPivot for Excel and empowering a new class of business users to build and share powerful BI solutions with little or no IT support, while still enabling IT to monitor and manage user-generated BI solutions.

Greater IT and developer efficiency. Enabling administrators to centrally monitor and manage multiple database applications, instances or servers, accelerating the development and deployment of applications and providing improved support for virtualization through Hyper-V with Live Migration in Windows Server 2008 R2.

A trusted and scalable platform. Supporting data consistency across heterogeneous systems through SQL Server Master Data Services, enabling high-scale complex event-stream processing through SQL Server StreamInsight and supporting scale-up scenarios for the largest available x64 and Itanium hardware (up to 256 logical processors).

SQL Server 2008 R2 November CTP is available for download. Go here for more information and to download the SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP. If you are actively working on a project with any of the new features of SQL Server 2008 R2, ask your ISV Architect Evangelist to nominate you for extra support through the new Metro program.