Season’s Greetings from the Ascent Technology Team
Table of Contents
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
The Hidden Costs of Neglecting Your Database Administration
In many organisations, database administration is an afterthought - a background function that only gains attention when something breaks. But the costs of neglecting proper DBA practices are far from hidden. From performance issues and downtime to security...
Database Management Systems
Ascent Technology fosters a heterogeneous Database Technology and Services strategy. Our expertise covers a comprehensive range of Database Technologies – including Microsoft Azure SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, Azure Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL, EnterpriseDB and Amazon RDS.
Microsoft Azure SQL
The family of SQL cloud databases providing flexible options for application migration, modernisation, and development.
Get a consistent, unified experience across your entire SQL portfolio and a full range of deployment options from edge to cloud.
> For more information visit Microsoft.com
Also See
> Migrate your SQL Server(s) to Azure with Ascent Technology
Documentation
- Get to know Azure SQL (266 KB)
Microsoft SQL Server 2022
SQL Server 2022 is the most Azure-enabled release yet, with continued performance, security, and availability innovation.
SQL Server, enabled by Azure Arc, extends Azure services on-premises, and manages your SQL Server estate from the Azure portal for a more unified and streamlined management experience. Monitor the health of your SQL Servers with SQL assessment – available at no additional cost – and bring enhanced security capabilities through Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
> For more information visit Microsoft.com
Install SQL Server 2022 on Windows, Linux, and containers
Also See
> Migrate your SQL Server(s) to Azure with Ascent Technology
Documentation
- SQL Server 2022 Datasheet (287 KB)
Microsoft SQL Server 2019
Transform your business with a unified data platform. SQL Server 2019 comes with Apache Spark and Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) for intelligence over all your data.
SQL Server 2019 brings innovative security and compliance features, industry-leading performance, mission-critical availability, and advanced analytics to all your data workloads, now with support for big data built-in.
> For more information visit Microsoft.com
Install SQL Server 2019 on Windows, Linux, and containers
Also See
> Migrate your SQL Server(s) to Azure with Ascent Technology
Documentation
Microsoft SQL Server 2017
It’s all about choice. Now, you can get SQL Server 2017’s industry-leading performance and security on Windows, Linux, and Docker containers.
> For more information visit Microsoft.com
Evaluate SQL Server 2017 with the SQL Server and Microsoft Azure SQL Database Trials
> Download the SQL Server 2017 trial
> Get a Microsoft Azure SQL Database trial
Also See
> Migrate your SQL Server(s) to Azure with Ascent Technology
Documentation
- SQL Server 2017 Datasheet (884 KB)
- SQL Server on Linux Quick Start (774 KB)
- SQL Server 2017 Technical White Paper (1.7 MB)
Microsoft SQL Server 2016
Gain real-time insights across your transactional and analytical data with SQL Server 2016 – a secure, scalable database platform that has everything built in, from advanced analytics to unparalleled in-memory performance – the first database that is born in the cloud, setting a new standard for the pace of innovation.
> For more information visit Microsoft.com
Evaluate SQL Server 2016 with the SQL Server and Microsoft Azure SQL Database Trials
> Download the SQL Server 2016 trial
> Get a Microsoft Azure SQL Database trial
Also See
> Upgrade to SQL Server 2016 with Ascent Technology
Documentation
Microsoft SQL Server 2014
SQL Server 2014 enables customers to build mission-critical applications and Big Data solutions using high-performance, in-memory technology across OLTP, data warehousing, business intelligence and analytics workloads without having to buy expensive add-ons or high-end appliances. SQL Server 2014 uses a common set of tools to deploy and manage databases both on-premises and in the cloud, which makes it easier for customers to take advantage of the cloud with existing skills.
> For more information visit Microsoft.com
Evaluate SQL Server 2014 with the SQL Server and Microsoft Azure SQL Database Trials
> Download the SQL Server 2014 trial
> Get a Microsoft Azure SQL Database trial
Also See
> Upgrade to SQL Server 2014 with Ascent Technology
Documentation
- SQL Server 2014 Data Sheet (1.3 MB)
- SQL Server 2014 Mission Critical Performance (500 KB)
- SQL Server 2014 Record-Setting Performance (446 KB)
Microsoft SQL Server 2012
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 is a cloud-ready information platform that will help organizations unlock breakthrough insights across the organization and quickly build solutions to extend data across on-premises and public cloud, backed by mission critical confidence.
> For more information visit Microsoft.com
Also See
> Migrate your SQL Server(s) to Azure with Ascent Technology
Documentation
- SQL Server 2012 Product Overview (389 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 White Paper (795 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Editions and Licensing (565 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services (565 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Data Quality Services (434 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 High Availability (381 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Integration Services (418 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Master Data Services (389 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Predictive Analysis (426 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Programmability (369 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Reporting Services (471 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Security and Compliance (414 KB)
- SQL Server 2012 Managed Self Service Business Intelligence (528 KB)
Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Business decision makers deploying Microsoft SQL Server technologies have adopted SQL Server 2008 because it optimizes their IT infrastructure for growth and improves their alignment with key business objectives. With up to 35% faster transaction processing, advanced business intelligence solutions and enhanced developer productivity, SQL Server 2008 builds on the strengths of SQL Server 2005. Enterprise and midmarket organizations upgrading to SQL Server 2008 will not only accelerate growth but also open exciting new opportunities for database administrators, developers and IT decision makers.
> For more information visit Microsoft.com
Also See
> Prepare for SQL Server 2008 End of Support
> Migrate your SQL Server(s) to Azure with Ascent Technology
Documentation
- SQL Server 2008 Product Overview (2.7 MB)
- SQL Server 2008 Data Sheet (321 KB)
- SQL Server 2008 Performance and Scale (178 KB)
- SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services (307 KB)
- Server Consolidation with SQL Server 2008 (238 KB)
- Practical SQL Server 2008 for Oracle Professionals (465 KB)
- Online Transaction Processing in SQL Server 2008 (106 KB)
- Database Encryption in SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition (349KB)
Oracle Database 12c
Oracle Database 12c introduces a new multitenant architecture that makes it easy to deploy and manage database clouds. Innovations such as Oracle Multitenant, for consolidating multiple databases quickly, and Automatic Data Optimization with Heat Map, for compressing and tiering data at a higher density, maximize resource efficiency and flexibility. These unique advancements, combined with major enhancements in availability, security, and big data support, make Oracle Database 12c the ideal platform for private and public cloud deployments.
> For more information visit Oracle.com
Documentation
- Oracle Database 12c Product Family (815 KB)
- Oracle Multitenant (516 KB)
- Plug into the Cloud with Oracle Database 12c (561 KB)
Oracle Database 11g
Oracle Database 11g delivers performance, scalability, availability, and security. All editions of Oracle Database 11g are built using the same common code base, which means applications easily scale from small, single processor servers to clusters of multi-processor servers without any application changes or lengthy upgrades. Additional options such as Real Application Clusters, Real Application Testing, Total Recall, Advanced Compression, Content Database, Database Vault and Data Warehousing; embeddable databases; and products such as Audit Vault, Secure Enterprise Search and Secure Backup, are also available to extend the customer solution.
> For more information visit Oracle.com
Documentation
- Oracle Database 11g Product Family (143 KB)
- Innovate Faster with Oracle Database 11g (211 KB)
- Oracle Database Security White Paper (1.1 MB)
- Oracle Advanced Compression (48 KB)
- Oracle Partitioning (155 KB)
- Security Inside Out (212 KB)
- Oracle Active Data Guard (285 KB)
Oracle MySQL
MySQL is the world’s most popular open source database. With its proven performance, reliability, and ease-of-use, MySQL has become the leading database choice for web-based applications, used by high profile web properties including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and all five of the top five websites*. Additionally, it is an extremely popular choice as embedded database, distributed by thousands of ISVs and OEMs.
MariaDB
MariaDB is the fastest growing Open Source database with more than 12 million users worldwide. Started by the founders of MySQL, MariaDB Corporation is reinventing the database to support today’s enterprise needs from OLTP to analytics from a single SQL compliant interface. MariaDB products include the widely adopted open source MariaDB Server and complementary products including MariaDB MaxScale and MariaDB ColumnStore, that are valuable for deploying MariaDB in large, mission-critical environments.
Key requirements that drive adoption of MariaDB products are enterprise-grade performance, industry-leading security trusted by banks and government, world-class support and a modern, unique architecture, which is extensible at every layer so users and the community can extend functionality to meet unique needs.
> For more information visit MariaDB.com
Documentation
- MariaDB MaxScale Data Sheet (335 KB)
- MariaDB Enterprise Data Sheet (545 KB)
- MariaDB Columnstore Data Sheet (210 KB)
- MariaDB Security Brief (535 KB)
- MariaDB Enterprise Cluster (337 KB)
- MariaDB Enterprise Notification Service (178 KB)
MongoDB
MongoDB is a cross-platform document-oriented database. Classified as a NoSQL database, MongoDB eschews the traditional table-based relational database structure in favor of JSON-like documents with dynamic schemas.
MongoDB calls the format BSON, making the integration of data in certain types of applications easier and faster. Released under a combination of the GNU Affero General Public License and the Apache License, MongoDB is free and open-source software.
> For more information visit MongoDB.com
Documentation
Azure Cosmos DB
Azure Cosmos DB was built from the ground up with global distribution and horizontal scale at its core. It offers turnkey global distribution across any number of Azure regions by transparently scaling and replicating your data wherever your users are. Elastically scale throughput and storage worldwide, and pay only for what you need.
Azure Cosmos DB provides native support for NoSQL choices, offers multiple well-defined consistency models, guarantees single-digit-millisecond latencies at the 99th percentile, and guarantees high availability with multi-homing capabilities and low latencies anywhere in the world— all backed by industry-leading, comprehensive service level agreements (SLAs).
> For more information visit Microsoft.com
Documentation
- Introduction to Cosmos DB (20.2 MB)
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is a powerful, open source object-relational database system. It has more than 15 years of active development and a proven architecture that has earned it a strong reputation for reliability, data integrity, and correctness.
It runs on all major operating systems, including Linux, UNIX (AIX, BSD, HP-UX, SGI IRIX, macOS, Solaris, Tru64), and Windows. It is fully ACID compliant, has full support for foreign keys, joins, views, triggers, and stored procedures (in multiple languages).
It includes most SQL:2008 data types, including INTEGER, NUMERIC, BOOLEAN, CHAR, VARCHAR, DATE, INTERVAL, and TIMESTAMP. It also supports storage of binary large objects, including pictures, sounds, or video. It has native programming interfaces for C/C++, Java, .Net, Perl, Python, Ruby, Tcl, ODBC, among others, and exceptional documentation.
An enterprise class database, PostgreSQL boasts sophisticated features such as Multi-Version Concurrency Control (MVCC), point in time recovery, tablespaces, asynchronous replication, nested transactions (savepoints), online/hot backups, a sophisticated query planner/optimizer, and write ahead logging for fault tolerance.
It supports international character sets, multibyte character encodings, Unicode, and it is locale-aware for sorting, case-sensitivity, and formatting.
It is highly scalable both in the sheer quantity of data it can manage and in the number of concurrent users it can accommodate. There are active PostgreSQL systems in production environments that manage in excess of 4 terabytes of data.
EnterpriseDB
The EDB Postgres Platform provides an enterprise-class Data Management Platform based on PostgreSQL, including toolkits for management, integration, and migration; flexible deployment options; and services and support to deploy Postgres responsibly at scale.
EDB develops and integrates performance, security, and manageability enhancements into PostgreSQL to support enterprise-class workloads for its database, EDB Postgres Advanced Server. EDB has also developed database compatibility for Oracle to facilitate the migration of workloads from Oracle to EDB Postgres and to support the operation of many Oracle workloads on EDB Postgres.
Gartner positioned EnterpriseDB in the 2017 Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems, making it one of just 11 vendors to be included in the report and the fifth consecutive year the company was recognised. Gartner positioned EnterpriseDB in the Leaders Quadrant in its Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems in October 2014 and again in September 2015. EnterpriseDB was recognised in the Challengers Quadrant in the Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems in October 2016.
Amazon RDS
Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS) makes it easy to set up, operate, and scale a relational database in the cloud. It provides cost-efficient and resizable capacity while automating time-consuming administration tasks such as hardware provisioning, database setup, patching and backups. It frees you to focus on your applications so you can give them the fast performance, high availability, security and compatibility they need.
Amazon RDS is available on several database instance types – optimised for memory, performance or I/O – and provides you with six familiar database engines to choose from, including Amazon Aurora, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle Database, and SQL Server.