ABSOLUTE DATA EXCELLENCE
ABSOLUTE DATA EXCELLENCE
VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS
FROM THE DESK OF THE MD
Explore how SQL Server 2025 strengthens enterprise security through enforced secure defaults, identity integration, encryption, and governance assurance across hybrid environments.Key Takeaways SQL Server 2025 shifts enterprise security from optional hardening to...
Explore how SQL Server 2025’s built-in intelligence helps organisations optimise performance, gain deeper insight, and reduce data-platform complexity.Key Takeaways SQL Server 2025 shifts optimisation from a reactive activity to an intelligence-driven discipline....
Explore how SQL Server 2025 reshapes the modern data platform with AI-ready capabilities, developer-first enhancements, hybrid modernisation, and practical upgrade readiness guidance.Key Takeaways SQL Server 2025 represents a shift from database upgrade to platform...
CAMPAIGNS
Still paying Microsoft for Azure by credit card? Discover why finance and IT leaders prefer the CSP model for predictable billing, built-in partner support, cost optimisation, and long-term value. Key Takeways Credit card billing creates risk - Failed or expired...
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....
On July 12, 2022, support for SQL Server 2012 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....
NEWSFLASHES
As the year draws to a close, we would like to express our appreciation to our clients, partners, and colleagues for the trust and collaboration that have defined the year. We wish you and your teams a restful festive season and a successful year ahead, and we look...
Ascent Technology announces a four-part SQL Server 2025 blog series covering AI-driven intelligence, Fabric integration, security enhancements, and the future of the modern data platform. Microsoft SQL Server 2025 is set to become one of the most impactful releases in...
Standardised pricing will replace Microsoft’s long-standing tiered discount model - prompting many organisations to review the CSP programme for its cost savings, licensing flexibility, and simplified management. Microsoft Tiered EA/MPSA Pricing Ends Microsoft will...
CLIENT CASE STUDIES
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...
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...
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...
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
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...
Our consultants support heterogeneous technology estates including Microsoft Azure SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, Azure Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL, EnterpriseDB and Amazon RDS.
Engaged across strategic transformation programmes and time-critical operational scenarios, we combine cross-platform expertise with method-led execution to deliver measurable, business-aligned results.
We are frequently engaged in high-risk or performance-critical environments where stability, governance, and continuity cannot be compromised.
We assess your database landscape and design scalable, resilient architectures aligned to long-term business and platform lifecycle strategy. Our consulting approach integrates performance, availability, governance, cost optimisation, and version roadmap planning across on-premise, hybrid, and cloud environments – ensuring structural coherence from design through implementation.
A future-ready database architecture engineered to support strategic objectives, operational resilience, lifecycle governance, and sustained enterprise growth.
We evaluate workload behaviour, resource utilisation, execution patterns, and infrastructure dependencies to improve database performance across complex environments. Our consultants establish performance baselines, implement targeted optimisation strategies, and introduce structured performance governance that increases efficiency, strengthens stability, and reduces operational strain without compromising scalability or control.
Measurably improved database performance reinforced by disciplined optimisation, predictive capacity planning, and sustained enterprise reliability.
We design and execute controlled database migrations and platform upgrades across on-premise, hybrid, and cloud environments, ensuring smooth transitions with minimal operational disruption. Our methodology safeguards data integrity, preserves performance continuity, manages version lifecycle risk, and mitigates exposure at every stage of transformation.
A controlled modernisation pathway that protects stability while positioning your data platform for long-term strategic, commercial, and operational advantage.
We conduct structured, comprehensive evaluations of configuration integrity, workload behaviour, security posture, backup validity, and resilience readiness to identify performance constraints, architectural weaknesses, and latent risk exposure. Our health checks establish operational baselines and deliver prioritised, risk-ranked insight that enables informed executive decision-making and proactive remediation before issues impact business continuity.
A disciplined assessment framework that strengthens operational stability, validates resilience, and reduces enterprise risk exposure.
We design and implement resilient backup, disaster recovery, and cyber-recovery frameworks that protect critical data assets across on-premise and cloud environments. Our approach integrates clearly defined recovery objectives and downtime tolerances, governance requirements, operational dependencies, and resilience validation testing to preserve continuity under adverse conditions.
A validated resilience strategy that safeguards critical data, withstands disruption, and sustains operational continuity under pressure.
We design and implement layered security architectures, access governance frameworks, and compliance controls that protect sensitive data across diverse database environments. Our consulting approach integrates encryption, identity management, auditing, threat monitoring, and regulatory alignment within broader enterprise risk management strategies.
A defensible security posture that reinforces regulatory confidence, strengthens governance maturity, and reduces long-term enterprise risk.
We provide consulting-led operational oversight and structured database management to sustain performance, availability, and stability across complex environments. Our specialists implement monitoring frameworks, performance governance controls, disciplined incident response models, and continuous optimisation practices that reduce operational risk and strengthen service reliability.
Sustained operational resilience reinforced by structured oversight, measurable performance governance, and continuous improvement.
Contact Us to validate your approach, reduce risk, and define the next steps with confidence.
Ascent Technology combines deep cross-platform database expertise with methodical consulting execution to deliver measurable outcomes across complex enterprise environments. Our consultants operate confidently across Microsoft, Oracle, and open-source technologies, ensuring cohesive strategy and delivery regardless of platform mix.
We are frequently engaged in high-impact environments where operational stability and risk mitigation are paramount. We diagnose root causes, stabilise performance, and implement controlled remediation that improves outcomes without weakening governance – differentiating our approach from reactive support models.
Our consulting engagements are reinforced by our integrated database service suite – including DB Admin, DB Health, and DB Shield – ensuring continuity from strategic advisory through operational execution and governance oversight.
We support organisations across South Africa, EMEA, the United Kingdom, and North America, delivering consistent results across diverse and demanding data estates.
As an ISO 27001:2022 certified organisation, we embed governance, security, and compliance into every engagement – ensuring performance improvements strengthen, rather than compromise, control.
Our Database Consulting Services operate within Ascent Technology’s Modernise – Optimise – Protect framework, ensuring transformation, efficiency, and governance integrity are addressed in balance.
Modernise
We evolve database architectures to support digital transformation, cloud enablement, and scalable growth.
Optimise
We improve performance, efficiency, and operational reliability through targeted optimisation and continuous refinement.
Protect
We reinforce security, compliance, and resilience through disciplined controls and risk-aligned recovery strategies.
Ascent Technology delivers Database Consulting Services through flexible engagement models tailored to operational and strategic requirements. Each engagement is governed by defined scope, structured risk control, disciplined execution, and measurable accountability.
Time and Materials
Appropriate for exploratory initiatives, performance investigations, and evolving consulting requirements where flexibility is essential.
Fixed-Fee Engagements
Clearly defined consulting assignments with agreed deliverables, timelines, and governance checkpoints to ensure predictable execution.
Emergency and Critical Response Support
Rapid-response consulting for high-impact database incidents requiring immediate stabilisation, root cause analysis, and controlled remediation.
Engage with Ascent Technology’s specialist consultants to enhance performance, reduce operational risk, and position your database environment for sustained strategic success.
Contact Us About Database Consulting.