Beginning with SQL Server 2016 you will have the ability to store portions of a database in the cloud. This new ability is known as Stretch Database and the feature will be beneficial to those needing to keep transactional data for long periods of time and those looking to save money on storage. Being able to seamlessly migrate data to the Microsoft Azure Cloud will give you the ability to archive data without having to change the way your applications query the data. Click here for a quick Introduction to Stretch Databases from Tim Radney.