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.

  As a veteran of the information technology business (over 25 years now) I’ve had the honor and privilege to work with many outstanding business organizations both small, medium and large. I literally started in this business with a single PC. In fact this was all most business people had when small businesses even began to computerize. This reality gave rise to the computer software and services business.

  During those early years it became very clear to me the industry was going to grow and grow very fast. And, unlike microwave ovens or toasters, computers and software were going to require a very specialized level of skill and expertise. Most of which, at the time did not exist in the wholesale market place. The by-product was many small and medium sized companies managed these services on their own. They depended on the local computer shop for support and they somehow got through. However, the rise of computer networking, bigger better faster computers, more memory and disk space quickly outpaced the business owners ability to keep up. Of course then came the internet. A businesses ability to manage their own IT, upon which they had become heavily dependent simply evaporated in the heat of changing technology. The result has been increased cost, more down time and more risk for the business owner. Upgrades, patches, virus attacks, monitoring, skilled guidance navigation in an increasing complex technological market place has burdened the business owner to the point many have told me they would eliminate IT if it were possible from their business… which unfortunately it is not. This is why the Managed IT services business is emerging.

Managed IT services lowers your cost of ownership. It lowers business risk by increasing control through proactive monitoring and services using established technology standards and protocols. It frees time for staff and business owners so they can do the job of running the business and making money instead of wrestling with IT problems in a “break-and-fix” service model.

For years I’ve watched business people struggle with computers, servers, internet connections, firewalls and software and licensing all while not really knowing the ins and outs of the industry. The experience has left them frustrated and even angry because it robbed them of precious resources namely time and money. This time and money could have been spent growing the business or showing a better profit.

  With Managed IT Services we lower the cost of ownership to the business and raise the availability of your IT environment with proactive monitoring and management. We can see many problems before they become big problems and take proactive action. We do this by using our Professional Services Administration (PSA) software console. Our PSA console sits in the internet cloud and across a secure connection monitors, alerts, collects and reports on all IP devices in your environment. We can connect remotely and remediate most problems in a fraction of the time of those still using the break-and-fix model. In many cases a “truck roll” to your location is not even necessary. Help tickets are available to you using our website and software that we provide to your staff for assistance if needed. For many companies just knowing they have a hotline for skilled service and support if and when those problems arise is worth the price of admission.

 
  If you have workstations, servers, email or web hosting at your own location, in the internet cloud or a hybrid combination of both, Our PSA enables us to monitor, gather and report to you the health and operation of your IT environment. This is a great option for companies that do not need or want to hire IT staff that may not possess all the skills necessary to support your environment. We even specialize in SQL database servers and database administration (DBA) service and support. Sometimes we work with an existing staff person to augment services too. The results are increased efficiency and lower costs to the business.

 Businesses have been searching for a way to get control of IT costs and improve their efficiency. Managed IT Services is it.