Today’s IT landscape looks very different from a decade ago…
No doubt, we’ll be saying the same thing in another 10 years or so. Business and consumer needs are continually changing. Technology is ever-evolving. With all of this comes rapidly growing database responsibilities. Several key trends are playing their part, from the move to an approach that’s centred on applications (which all need databases at their core) to the increasing use of cloud-based computing and multiple platforms. With every fresh terabyte, in-house IT support teams are picking up additional demands. So what can help here?
Is calling HR the only answer?
At WellData, we see every day how outsourcing the role of Database Administrators (DBAs) helps ensure mission-critical computer systems are secure and optimised. This approach also frees up IT personnel to make the greatest difference in other key areas. Just ask our DBA specialists. While the outsourcing process is very similar to other IT areas, we often hear the same initial reservations. There’s a misconception that keeping database administration internal, with a person or team in the office on call, is always best. But is it? It’s time to challenge some false assumptions.
Three common misconceptions on outsourcing…
1. “DBA is a specialist role, which I need to retain in-house.”
While we’d agree with the first part of this statement, ask yourself what happens when experienced DBAs leave an organisation; critical knowledge invariably goes out the building too. Every new recruit brings their approach and, with that, a change of systems. Outsourcing to the right DBA specialist retains that all-important consistency. WellData experts visit clients and constantly talk to the IT team on the ground, understanding the business and operations in depth, with the processes in place to retain that information. Clients also benefit from having a whole company of DBA specialists on tap, rather than a few employees.
2. “DBAs fix emergencies, so this can’t be handled remotely.”
Outsourcing can also mean on hand and on site, whenever required, without having to deal with the headache of annual holidays, staff absences, train strikes, skills’ shortages and so on. What’s more, preventing emergencies from happening should always be the focus. We stop issues arising with well-proven 24/7 monitoring solutions. Our specialists make daily checks and deal with each matter that gets flagged before it escalates. There’s weekend support as needed too.
3. “It’s cheaper to employ DBAs than outsource, especially with the size of our databases.”
Think about the everyday overheads of running an IT team. We calculate this assumption is wrong by about a third. On top of that, there’s recruitment, on-boarding, training and retention overheads, which also need to be included every time a new DBA is hired. Using a specialist such as ourselves provides an all-in cost. With a fixed-price contract, everything’s covered, from daily system checks to unlimited service requests; upgrades to around-the-clock support. As for the size of databases or scale of change required, that should never be a problem with the right outsourcing partner.
WellData brings over 18 years’ experience to database administration across all sectors. Contact us now to talk about your organisation’s DBA needs.
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