Businesses who use SQL Server are discovering the cost benefits of using remotely managed SQL DBA services. Keeping a lid on the rising cost of IT ownership is always a challenge. Not only that but finding and retaining qualified SQL Database Administrators can be a challenge as well. The demand for these guys and gals is high. It is not uncommon for someone to come a long and make your DBA a better offer and when they leave your company, a lot of your business knowledge goes with them. This creates gaps in your business model you must then fill by finding another person (hard to do in a demanding market for good talent) or hiring a contract person while you look for a permanent one. The risk exposure to your business can be high.
Internet technology has grown phenomenally and is now to the point where professional organizations can provide some services via the “cloud” otherwise not available before. Remote management of your SQL databases is one of those services.
The advantages of remote SQL DBA services are many. Organizations specializing in database administration have dedicated staff possessing the skills necessary to properly maintain SQL Server and keep it running fast and efficiently.
If you’ve used SQL server for any length of time you know how well it runs and that usually right out of the box. However, maintaining a database is much like keeping a house. It requires sweeping, picking up things and reorganizing on a regular basis to keep performance up and minimize downtime. If neglected for too long the server and the database become symptomatic. Meaning, performance issues creep in, as do compatibility issues when running with third party applications. Then there are the inevitable “errors of omission”. These are less visible or unknown tasks to the average user that should be performed but usually aren’t on a regular basis. These stack up over time leading to a poorly performing database and server. Believe it or not regular backups can even be one of these issues. Imagine loosing all the data in your database forever. Your business would shut down.
Many organizations using SQL Server are too small to need a fulltime DBA or perhaps they are very diligent with their budget and find they actually get a higher level of service and lower cost by putting the management of SQL server into the “cloud” by using a qualified Managed Services provider that supports SQL server. In this way they get top shelf expertise for a low monthly fee. Typically the Managed Service Provider will be much more diligent in monitoring the server and providing regular project review and reporting to the customer, keeping them in the loop. The cost savings and convenience to the customer are astounding.
In addition, a company can choose from a much larger pool of service providers since geographical location becomes less of an issue. Not only that but while the remote DBA is monitoring your SQL environment for backups, performance, throughput, memory usage, patches and upgrades they’re also available at the customers request for writing or tuning stored procedures, functions, views and other scripting tasks you might need usually for an agreed upon hourly rate. This gives the customer the best of both worlds, lower cost of ownership and skilled expertise when you need it.
Christopher L. Carter, A.A.S., D.B.A.