Any company needs its SQL Server databases running efficiently to meet business objectives. But SQL Server DBA skills are most likely not an organizational core competency and potentially can be outsourced to a remote SQL Server DBA.
Is outsourcing SQL server management a good idea strategically for your organization? Outsourcing is often viewed through the lens of cost. But there are many reasons (9 of which follow) to consider a remote server DBA:
One: Reduced SQL Server DBA costs
Remote SQL Server DBA costs generally run about 25% to 50% less than in-house DBA total costs, according to Forrester Consulting.
Two: Improved quality of database administration
Many SQL Server DBA outsourcers report that their remote SQL Server DBA arrangement has resulted in an improved ability to meet service level agreements (SLAs) plus improved service quality as reported by users.
Three: Improved focus on the business
Leveraging a remote SQL Server DBA enables outsourcers to focus more on their core business issues and strategy by freeing up technical and management resources that had been focused on database administration.
Four: Augments in-house staff
Outsourcing SQL Server database admin liberates in-house IT staff from routine DBA tasks so they can solve other problems, which improves overall efficiency and productivity (not to mention morale). Many SQL Server DBAs also provide support outside of normal business hours when in-house staff may not be available, thus improving overall DBA coverage.
Five: The increased pool of expertise
Most remote DBA vendors employ a full team of experienced DBAs whose collective knowledge and experience would typically surpass that of a given individual DBA. Remote team members frequently pool their resources to identify the best solutions for customers. They effectively constitute a team of on-call specialists to provide the expertise you need on demand.
Six: Better database security
More automation combined with 24×7 monitoring inherently improves database security and uptime. So does the added level of security expertise that your remote SQL Server DBA team brings to the table. Finally, a remote DBA service will perform upgrades, patching, and maintenance tasks that help reduce vulnerabilities and keep data secure.
Seven: Improved business continuity
Your database administration function is key to ensuring that system issues don’t cascade into failures that impact users, customers, etc. Having extra eyes on your SQL Server environment helps proactively prevent database issues and limits their spread and impact.
Eight: Less loss of “institutional knowledge”
When a key IT employee like a DBA leaves your business, they may take with them a wealth of institutional knowledge that is now lost to you. A remote Server DBA relationship helps ensure that your environment is consistently handled in a best-practice manner, without the glitches and delays that commonly occur when you need to replace a full-time employee.
Nine: Enhanced data integrity
A remote SQL Server DBA service will most likely give you the option to perform data cleansing; eliminate duplicate, incorrect, or missing data; and so on. This improves the quality and integrity of your data and enhances its value for decision-making.
Next steps
Buda Consulting has provided best-in-class remote and on-site DBA services for SQL Server and other database environments for over 25 years. Our certified professional staff can manage the most sophisticated database architectures. Based on your needs, we can operate as a “best-fit” extension of your team to deliver the perfect complement of database-managed services—from taking over routine tasks to addressing advanced issues.
Contact Buda Consulting to talk about your SQL Server DBA needs and explore how our remote DBA service can help.