SQL Server has been the primary database choice for many organizations, with 75% relying on it as their operational database. However, cloud migration is seen as a top driver of future spending by 68% of CIOs, and most enterprises lack the skills to execute comprehensive cloud migration strategies. SQL Server can be an obstacle to realizing a cloud-first enterprise, but leveraging linked server technologies can turn it into a key ally in the shift to the cloud. Linked servers allow organizations to extend their existing database infrastructure to cloud data sources, eliminating the need to reinvent the wheel and maintaining complete line of sight over data access. CData Connect provides an optimal experience for linked server integration, supporting the SQL Server wire protocol and providing real-time data services. By using CData Connect, organizations can quickly create a linked SQL Server instance that brings their existing workflows to scattered enterprise data sources.