Microsoft has just added support for query hints to Azure SQL Database, giving database administrators a powerful tool to manage the performance of ISV application code. Here's how it works.

The new time series engine is capable of responding to queries faster, supporting data analysis of massive database workloads.

Use SqlServerCmdletSnapin100 (installed when you install the SQL Server client tools, 2008 or newer (maybe 2005)) and it gets a lot easier.