What is the primary benefit of Azure SQL Database’s built-in high availability?

The primary benefit of Azure SQL Database's built-in high availability is automatic failover. This feature is crucial because it ensures that in the event of a failure or outage, the database service can automatically switch to a backup system without significant downtime or manual intervention. This capability minimizes disruption to users and applications relying on the database, providing a seamless experience.

High availability is designed to achieve high levels of reliability and operational continuity by maintaining the database service and automatically redirecting traffic to alternative instances when necessary. This safeguard is especially vital for mission-critical applications that require continuous operation and minimal risk of data loss.

While reduced latency, cost efficiency, and increased storage are important considerations in cloud database management, they do not directly pertain to the core functionality and assurance provided through Azure SQL Database's high availability features. Automatic failover, by contrast, directly addresses the demand for resilient and dependable database operations in the face of unforeseen issues.