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Can I Use SQL Server Express?

This article will only recommend using SQL Server Express for pilot testing.

If you've installed BuzzBID using SQL Server Express for initial testing and you're moving forward into using BuzzBID for daily estimating, we strongly recommend upgrading your database to SQL Server Standard to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and scalability.

Why Upgrade?

While SQL Server Express is a great entry-level solution, it has several limitations that can impact your system's efficiency as data volume and usage increase. Upgrading to SQL Server Standard offers key benefits such as:

  • Higher Performance & Scalability – SQL Server Standard removes the 10GB database size limit and allows better hardware utilization (more CPU cores and RAM).

  • Improved Reliability & Security – Includes advanced security features, automated backups, and high-availability options.

  • Better Support for Multiple Users – Handles higher workloads and concurrent users more efficiently, reducing system slowdowns.

  • Enhanced Features – Standard edition unlocks features like SQL Agent for automation, indexed views for faster queries, and advanced reporting capabilities.