A List of Essential Database Services
Database Installation
Setting up and maintaining a database server is one of the most complex tasks IT can undertake. This complexity comes from the roles you ask your database to play. Will you scale it to work with your entire company, or just one department? Will you need separate databases for your website, or just one for storing customer records?
To simplify installing a database: (1) choose a database program that is easy to use and maintain; and (2) select an experienced IT firm to handle the installation for you.
PlanetMagpie recommends Microsoft SQL Server 2005. SQL 2005 stands as one of the easiest business-class databases to use, and comes well-supported by PlanetMagpie engineers.
Advantages: Implementing a database server consolidates all your mission-critical data in one place. Centralizing makes for smoother operations and more security options.
Database Upgrades
Database upgrades involve moving to a new database software version, a new hardware platform (such as 64-bit), or moving from one database server structure to another. Upgrades are where planning makes the difference between successful data storage and crashed systems.
For example, one issue with upgrading from SQL Server 2000 to 2005 is that user logins aren’t always transferred properly. Without using a custom script intended to preserve them, support staff sometimes has to create new passwords for all the users. Think how tedious that would be for 500 users. Or 5,000.
With scripts like the ones PlanetMagpie has developed, upgrades not only catch potential errors, but the whole process goes faster. We know where to watch for problems. When you’ve decided your company needs more data processing capability, it makes sense to call on PlanetMagpie engineers.
Advantages: Lower cost – consolidating servers leads to lower power needs and less hardware. Faster processing – users get tasks done faster, with fewer errors.
Database Problem Analysis and Resolution
This service involves analyzing and solving specific database problems you may encounter, like long response times or being unable to access data. By reviewing all parts of the network – hardware, operating systems, what applications communicate with the database – our administrators find and implement the changes that would make the database faster and more stable.
Advantages: Optimized databases mean more reliable reports, more confidence in records accuracy, and a smoother experience for employees and customers.
Database HealthCheck and Monitoring
A PlanetMagpie Database HealthCheck proactively reviews and optimizes your existing database setup. We document your database systems and establish a performance baseline (the level at which your server should function when properly tuned).
Our administrators then use performance monitoring scripts to pinpoint areas that need optimizing. Afterward, we arrange periodic check-ins (monthly or quarterly) to make sure the database still runs at expected levels.
Advantages: HealthCheck prepares your servers for growth by catching problems before your users are affected. It also determines how you can make full use of your existing database resources.
Reporting Services
A database report displays records based on specific criteria. When users request a report, the administrator collects the data and publishes a report for them to reference. Reports are often used for customer contact or purchase verification. Publishing reports to the Web is available in some database programs.
Advantages: Detailed reports show you where you can best focus on customers. The more you know about them, the higher your sales will be.
Questions? Email our database team at
info@planetmagpie.com. Or call us at 408-341-8770, and have PlanetMagpie review your existing network for the best database choice.
