SQL Server Stretch Database lets you dynamically stretch warm and cold transactional data from Microsoft SQL Server 2016 to Azure. Unlike typical cold data storage, your data is always at hand. With Stretch Database, you can provide longer data retention times without breaking the bank. Rather than scaling expensive, on-premises storage, stretch data to the cloud; Azure storage can be up to 80 percent less expensive than adding more enterprise storage. Depending on how often you’ll access the data, choose the appropriate transaction level, then scale up or down as needed.