In 2021 RPDATA Solutions, a database managed service provider based in Ontario, Canada, began using dbWatch.
Since starting, dbWatch has:
- Reduced their workload by more than 12 weeks annually
- Shortened deployment time with a new customer from weeks to hours
- Improved their competitive edge, with more efficiency and faster turnaround time for clients
- Helped them monitor and manage larger clients with multiple operational systems and database platforms
Now, reports are generated and sent automatically, saving three months of labor annually and allowing us to focus on more critical tasks.
MSP Cross-platform Database Monitoring
Three years ago, RPDATA Solutions had a potential client with a much larger and more complex database environment than they had previously managed. The client’s databases were distributed across multiple operations systems (AIX and Windows) and database platforms.
Previously, Robert Prendin, CEO had used custom scripts to manually monitor client’s systems. However, this larger client required monitoring for both Oracle and SQL Server across a much wider array of servers, which wasn’t manageable with their current manual script-based approach.
Robert started researching tools to address these challenges and came across dbWatch. dbWatch immediately stood out because it offered cross-platform database monitoring and management, supporting both SQL Server and Oracle. It provided a scalable solution that could be easily deployed across multiple servers and platforms without the need for constant manual intervention.
How RPDATA Solutions Benefits From dbWatch
Now RPDATA Solutions uses dbWatch across the company with all their database clients. Robert said, “We’ve implemented it at other sites as well, some smaller businesses, some government. It’s easy to roll it out, it runs smoothly and works well.” He and his team also found that the database administration tool could save many hours of work and money.
Update Database Scripts Automatically
Robert’s team had relied on custom scripts, which had served them well, but didn’t scale efficiently. When a database version changed, the scripts required updating and maintenance. This took time and effort with every update.
dbWatch automated many of the tasks that were previously done manually, including version updates. This relieved Robert’s team from the constant cycle of updating and tweaking their custom scripts to keep up with changes in the infrastructure.
Automated Database Reports Reduces Workload by 12 Weeks Annually
One of RPSolution’s clients required weekly and monthly reports on their databases. Each week one staff member had to devote an entire day for each report. Soon after starting with dbWatch the company automated the database reports.
One client required weekly and monthly reports that used to take a full day each time. With dbWatch, we automated the process, reducing the workload from 60 days a year to zero. Now, reports are generated and sent automatically, saving three months of labor annually and allowing us to focus on more critical tasks.
What took a day’s work now is an automated process that emails the reports as scheduled. Previously an employee spent 60 days a year compiling reports for one specific customer. Automated reports reduced one employee’s workload by three months.
dbWatch provides many pre-defined templates and reports that can be adjusted to fit individual business needs. There’s a built-in development interface to develop your own reports within the product.
Deploy Database Monitoring in Hours Instead of Weeks
It’s Murphy’s Law. Customers tend to sign contracts the last week of the month. Then they want the system live on the first day of the next month. In their days of manual scripting, it wasn’t always possible for the RPDATA Solutions team to meet these tight deadlines. Depending on the size of the customer’s system, it could take up to two weeks to finalize the scripting.
With dbWatch they can onboard a new customer in a day. Robert said, “Having a tool that lets you roll out so quickly also mitigates the risk of having a client not monitored. It’s a nice sell when you can tell the customer that there won’t be downtime during the transition.”
Industrial strength monitoring and management tool
Robert finds that using an enterprise-level industrial strength monitoring tool helps in the sales process. “We’re not using homegrown scripts, and it puts us in a more competitive position.”
For example, dbWatch alerted Robert’s team to a serious issue, a data file in recovery mode. It would have gone unnoticed with their previous manual scripts. This alert allowed them to address the issue before it caused any major problems.
The proactive nature of dbWatch’s monitoring also meant that the team could fix issues before they became visible to clients. dbWatch notified them when database backups failed, allowing the team to address the issue before the client even became aware of it. This early problem detection helps them maintain smooth operations for their clients and prevent larger issues from arising.
Future Plans to Improve Access Control
As an MSP, RPDATA Solutions has many customers who sometimes need access to their databases and information. In the future Robert and his team plan to explore the additional security and access control features dbWatch offers.
They want to give limited access to specific users. Then customers can see specific areas for their data. It also works for customers to see custom dashboards with real-time information and performance data.
About RPDATA Solutions
RPDATA Solutions specializes in providing expert remote and onsite database administration services for Oracle and SQL Server environments. Their services include performance optimization, backup and recovery, real application clusters, and support for ERP systems like JD Edwards and Oracle’s E-Business Suite.
They offer 24/7 proactive monitoring and IT consulting, ensuring smooth operations for mission-critical databases since 1995. Their team supports a wide range of Oracle and SQL Server versions, with a strong focus on reliability and scalability.
