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 grown as a business, the company reached a point in 2019 where the decision was taken to bring in specific and specialist DBA and Data Platform Consulting expertise.

Recognised as a value-added distributor of leading global brands, First Distribution provides complex ICT solutions to the Enterprise and SME markets. Focused on delivering solutions through trusted, established resellers, the company achieves this through consistent, trustworthy service and nurturing resellers as business partners. Committed to its business partners, First Distribution makes great effort to clearly understand its resellers’ needs, enabling the company to deliver maximum value to its partners.

According to Alfred Duncan, IT Manager for Internal Systems at First Distribution, one of the key reasons for seeking out a DBA Specialist Organisation was the company’s ongoing Data Platform growth, and its desire to implement advanced Data Platform technologies.

“One of our developers had previously worked with Ascent Technology, and advised us that the organisation would be a great fit for our enterprise. This proved to be true, as with Ascent as our trusted advisor, we now have a partner that brings to the table relevant expertise, specialised skills and a strong understanding of best practices.”

“What we found particularly useful in helping us to mitigate business challenges was Ascent Technology’s flexible services model, which enabled us to choose the engagement model which suits our needs, Co/Outsourcing the daily Management, Maintenance and Support of our Database Environment, on a 24/7 basis.”, he says.

“Their active Database Management and Maintenance ensures continuous optimal performance and is implemented on a remote and on-site basis to ensure a reliable, robust and optimally performing Data Platform Environment,” he continues.

“In fact, the economies of scale they provide make the service particularly cost effective, while we are at the same time able to access and leverage one of the most comprehensive repositories of expert skills and knowledge in the industry.”, he adds.

A Hardened Database Security Shield

He explains further that with its original DBA challenges taken care of First Distribution was also considering the growing number of threats to Corporate Databases.

“We asked Ascent to then assist us in hardening and improving our Database Security Posture, and they responded with the implementation of DB Shield, which ensures Database Security and Compliance,” notes Duncan.

“Ascent Technology’s DB Shield service is able to protect databases on a network with a set of preconfigured defenses and is able to build a custom security policy for a specific environment, which also makes demonstrating compliance to auditors much simpler.”

“Best of all, thanks to its subscription model, DB Shield required no capex investment and could be quickly deployed. This has given First Distribution complete peace of mind with regard to its Database Security and Compliance.”, he concludes.

Ascent Technology MD, Johan Lamberts, points out that the company is pleased to have a leading IT distributor like First Distribution as a client.

“We are looking forward to progressing and growing the relationship we have crafted, as we help them with their plans going forward. We are especially eager to leverage the experience we have in respect of Platform Modernisation, to assist them in the next logical step forward in their digital transformation journey,” he says

Duncan agrees that since First Distribution is exploring its cloud options, it looks forward to Ascent’s specialist advice in this respect.

“We are already very happy with the reaction time to projects and the ability to get things done faster thanks to having easy access to expert Data Platform Skills. With plans now under way to migrate away from our internal infrastructure to the cloud, we certainly look forward to the clear and effective guidance we know we can rely on from a trusted advisor like Ascent Technology,” he concludes.

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