Just ran across some interesting information. Sql Azure now supports spatial datatypes. 

• Microsoft announces the SQL Azure Development Accelorator Core.  This will be available August 1st and will contain a promotional discount for partners and customers.  It states that you can subscribe to a larger SQL Azure database size at a 25% discount savings.  The limit has also been extended to 50GB.  SQL Azure Database

• Spatial Data Support : Sql Azure is offering support for Geometry and Geography data types as well as query support in T-SQL.  I have been waiting for this feature for a while.  Nice to see it is currently available.

• Data Sync Service : This is a cool feature I was not aware of.  It allows for flexible control over data by deciding which data components should be distributed across multiple datacenters in different geographic locations based on the business needs of an organization.  It is only available as a community technology preview at the moment.  http://www.sqlazurelabs.com

• (SSWM) Sql Server Web Manager : This is a new management tool for SQL Azure databases and designed for web debelopers to develop, manage and deploy their data driven applications to Sql Azure.  Will be available as a community technology preview later in the summer.

• Access 10 now supported in Sql Azure : Access 10 now offers native data connectivity.  This offers the ability for office applications to access cloud based data.

The current state of Sql Server 2008 R2 seems like it has a ways to go when dealing with Sql Azure.  I tried several different ways of exporting data to load into Sql Azure and after several attempts, I have documented what I needed to move data over.  Here is a quick and dirty way of moving data from Sql Server 2008 R2 to Sql Azure:

The first thing I did was generate scripts from my local sql server 2008 R2 database.

 Next, you will have to go through the wizard steps of selecting what you would like scripted out:

The following step requires a a few checks.

• Make sure Convert UDDTs as Base Types = True
• Script Extended Properties = False
• Script Logins = False
• Script USE DATABASE = False
• Types of data to script = Schema and data (Note: If you already applied the schema, then you can choose data only)

SQL Azure currently does not support windows authentication, USE statements, extended properties, or user-defined data types.

 You now have a generated sql file. 

 Next, Open the sql file generated by the script and delete the following statement from the generated CREATE TABLE statement ( "WITH (PAD_INDEX = OFF, STATISTICS_NORECOMPUTE = OFF, IGNORE_DUP_KEY = OFF, ALLOW_ROW_LOCKS = ON, ALLOW_PAGE_LOCKS = ON) ON [PRIMARY]" )

Also, delete the ( "ON PRIMARY]" ) clause from the create table as well.

Now we are ready to connect to SQL Azure and run the script.  Make a connection to SQL Azure.

Follow Step 1, 2, and 3 below.

On connect to database, select the target database from the drop down list.

 Once connected, open Query menu and load the generated sql file.  Press F5 to execute the script.