Season’s Greetings from the Ascent Technology Team
Table of Contents
VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS
CLIENT CASE STUDIES
DB Administration, Security and Compliance for First Distribution
First Distribution’s Database Administration, Security and Compliance needs lead it to trusted advisor, Ascent Technology. For any large organisation, Database Administration (DBA) is a vital part of maintaining their Data Platform Operations effectively. As it has...
Ascent Technology helps Bidfood SA migrate to Microsoft Azure
When Bidfood SA chose to modernise and migrate its data platform to Microsoft Azure, it turned to Ascent Technology for help. In a world that is digitally transforming, it is more vital than ever to an organisation’s success to utilise the latest platforms to drive...
Ascent Technology helps migrate Phumelela Gaming to Azure
A Windows Server and SQL Server consolidation, optimisation and migration to Microsoft Azure enables the company to reduce costs, modernise its data platform and boost its innovation capabilities. As an operator running two distinct betting businesses, Phumelela...
CAMPAIGNS
Prepare for SQL Server 2014 End of Support
On July 9, 2024, support for SQL Server 2014 ended. That means the end of regular security updates. Don't let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We're here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance and innovation....
Database System Health Check Service from Ascent Technology
A Database System Health Check assesses if your Database is running optimally, and can help diagnose challenges before performance issues, and/or down time affect your users. That’s where Ascent's Database Health Check Service comes in. Our Database Health Check...
Database Security and Compliance with DB Shield
The growing number of threats to databases and unauthorised access to the data within, is clearly creating on-going headaches for CIOs. Solving these headaches may not be easy, but by asking the right questions, CIOs can begin to overcome their Database Security and...
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Microsoft Data and Analytics Partner of the Year Finalist
Ascent Technology continues its strong showing in the Microsoft Partner of the Year awards, as a finalist in the Data and Analytics Partner of the Year award. Finalist Data and Analytics Partner of the Year "It is always gratifying to be recognised by Microsoft as one...
NEWSFLASHES
Ascent Technology’s clients benefit from Data Platform Modernisation
Facing platform ‘end of life’ issues together with increasing pressures to digitise processes, increase profitability and innovate on product and service, organisations are finding Data Platform Modernisation projects can deliver significant value by enabling IT cost...
Ascent Technology’s clients benefit from Database Administration Outsourcing
Ascent Technology's proven database services model enables clients to Co/Outsource the daily maintenance, management and support of their database environments on a 24/7 basis. The active monitoring, preventative maintenance and management ensures optimal performance....
FROM THE DESK OF THE MD
From the Desk of the MD – January 2019
The start of another year inevitably brings with it the promise of change, and in wishing all our clients a happy New Year, we would like to suggest that 2019 is going to be a year of considerable and exciting change. After all, not only do we have what are sure to be...
The future of Database Administration lies in Co/Outsourcing
08 Feb 2011
The trend towards adopting a co-sourcing or outsourcing (Co/Outsourcing) model in respect of database administration is not a new one, but it is clearly growing rapidly. This is not surprising, since more and more organisations are implementing cost cutting measures and consolidation procedures. This, coupled with the growing skills shortage, makes it increasingly difficult for these businesses to acquire and retain people with the right level of expertise.
As a leader in the field of database administration and a company with a deep understanding of these environments, Ascent Technology is not at all surprised by this continued growth in the Co/Outsourcing trend.
Database administration is a specialised area, requiring specific expertise, so Co/Outsourcing offers organisations definite business benefits. Not only does it ensure that they are protected from potential disasters and unnecessary downtime, it also means they are assured of continuity in the skills required to administer the database environment.
Both co-sourcing and outsourcing have their place. Adopting a co-sourcing approach is ideal for those organisations that wish to retain ownership of their infrastructure, but need a database administration partner to manage and optimise the entire database operation. Outsourcing, whether delivered through a hosted environment or as a service through the cloud, removes the worries associated with hardware and licensing issues, while allowing the customer to retain ownership of its intellectual property. The database administration partner provides everything else.
Co/Outsourcing is also a very cost-effective option, which is one of the drivers behind its increasing uptake. Although the improved cost efficiencies may be driving the growth in Co/Outsourcing, the model also offers businesses a more reliable service, by virtue of making skilled database administrators available at all times.
In addition, it is recommended that when choosing a Co/Outsourcing partner, companies should ensure that the partner is skilled across the database technologies board. This means being able to deliver value-add services across heterogeneous database environments.
The Co/Outsourcing partner must be able to proactively manage, constantly service, maintain and optimise the database environment, to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. A good partner will also be able to leverage economies of scale to deliver true affordability, while nonetheless resolving complex issues in an expedient fashion. In these tough economic times database administration Co/Outsourcing is an option that should be on the radar of all CIOs.
It is a fact that most organisations require database administration, regardless of which model is utilised. Much has been made of the issue of in-house systems versus hosted solutions or those delivered as a service through the cloud. However, regardless of which approach you choose, one thing is absolutely certain – Co/Outsourcing is the way of the future for database administration.