1/ In SQL server 2008, there is a new whole database encryption option (TDE). I suspect that using this option will make the backups incompatible with SQL 2005.

For those legacy SQL Server 2008/R2 applications that remain critical, some form of high availability or disaster recovery protection will be required to preserve business continuity.

Microsoft's database releases from 2008 and 2010 reach end of extended support. In response, Redmond says, that for many customers, the time for cloud migration has arrived.

SQL Server 2008 R2 Server Management Self-Service Business Intelligence The ability for end-users to do their own analysis and reporting on data is a nice new feature for SQL Server 2008 R2.