If you have made the decision to hire a remote database administrator, you may feel a sense of relief to have the responsibility of maintaining your database off your hands. While this sentiment is understandable, it is somewhat misplaced. Simply hiring a remote DBA does not solve all your database administration challenges.
The function that remote DBA support services fill is to manage your databases and ensure their availability. While database administrators are highly skilled professionals, in a very real sense, they are only as good as the data which they are provided. While keeping data safe from unauthorized access and handling 3:00 a.m. tech meltdowns may be routine, the actual quality of the data in the database – not to mention the analysis of that data – remain with the client. Â Follow these six strategies to ensure that you are obtaining the most benefit from your remote DBA dollars.
Assess Readiness
Is your remote DBA up to the task of managing your data? Is your data adequately categorized for remote management and timely retrieval on your part? Both of these essential aspects must be in place before retaining the services of a remote DBA makes sense. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for disappointment or worse.
Avoid Unrealistic Expectations
Many clients have the mistaken belief that remote DBA services will save them money, especially if they offshore the function to a country like India or Russia. In fact, exporting your remote DBA function overseas can cost 5 to 15 percent more than you would pay if the same functions were handled by an American company. Add the inconvenience of attempting to access your data from an overseas location when hardware and software problems occur and it is easy to come to the realization that the saying “penny wise and pound foolish” exists for a reason.
Engage the Entire Workforce
If all the meetings and policies relating to your remote DBA are made by top executives, your company is missing a golden opportunity to obtain valuable input from employees at the rank-and-file level. Engage the employees who are involved with the database on a daily basis to have input on the details of the remote DBA contact. This input will ensure that a workable arrangement is reached – and may even save your company money.
Trust Your DBA Team
Once you have contracted with a remote DBA service, allow the professionals to do the job for which they were hired. They’re the professionals. Micromanaging every detail of the maintenance of your database defeats the purpose of hiring a remote DBA service.
Maintain Process Management
Micromanagement of your remote DBA is a mistake, but taking a completely hands-off approach is also a mistake. You should assign at least one key point person as a liaison between your company and the remote DBA. This point person should understand database management as well as your company’s mission.
Limit Contract Terms
You may be completely happy with your remote DBA service, but that does not mean that you should enter into an iron-clad, long-term contract. Even if you do not intend to change providers, your database administration needs are likely to change over time. Limited contract terms allow your company the flexibility that is necessary to respond to changes in the requirements of managing its database in a timely fashion.
Jeremy S is a self-admitted tech geek and avid writer. You can find his informative articles mainly on technology and computer blog sites where he enjoys sharing his research on innovation.
