We founded dbWatch because we needed and made a database reporting tool. Now dbWatch has grown into a comprehensive database management program.
Today, dbWatch Control Center has out-of-the-box database reporting jobs like uptime, backup, and health check reports. These built-in database reports provide foundational insights into your databases.
You can expand the out-of-the-box reports. Customizing database reports is relatively easy in dbWatch Control Center. You can report on anything in your database. In this blog, we’ll give you an overview of how reporting works in dbWatch Control Center and outline the lesser-known functionality of reports.
Why Use a Database Reporting Tool?
Compiling data for manual reports can tie up database administrators (DBAs), but automated tools like dbWatch Control Center can help.
A good database reporting tool will come with templates where DBAs can select the information needed for each report. It can run the reports on a schedule and send them to specific stakeholders, so DBAs only have to do the work once. RPDATA Solutions, a managed service provider, uses dbWatch Control Center to save up to 12 weeks of work a year.
dbWatch Control Center as a Database Reporting Tool
dbWatch Control Center is a monitoring tool that alerts and keeps track of databases. While doing this, the database monitoring jobs gather history and metrics for the reports. The database reports compile the database instance’s history and metrics into easy-to-understand reports. Reports help DBAs track essential metrics efficiently.
The reports in dbWatch Control Center include:
- Backup Reports: Ensure backups are successful and compliant.
- Uptime Reports: Monitor system availability and reliability.
- Health Check Reports: Provide detailed insights into the overall health and performance of your database systems.
- Security and Compliance Reports: Ensure adherence to security standards and regulatory requirements with actionable insights. Part of the Security and Compliance Package.
All of these reports are fully customizable. You don’t have to limit yourself to reporting on the data we provide by monitoring the databases; the reporting is separate from the data. It can be any data in your database; some customers use it to report on their specific applications.
Customize dbWatch Control Center Reports
The most basic level of customization on database reports allows you to add branding. All the Managed Service Providers who use dbWatch Control Center utilize the white labeling on reports. They add their company name and logo to the report title page so the MSP clients receive branded reports. Many customers also use this function for internal reporting.
Beyond branding, you can modify out-of-the-box reports to suit specific needs. You can take any of the reports that we provide and use them as a starting point to create your own reports. Open an out-of-the-box report and use the ‘save as’ function to make a new report. Then, add or subtract parameters to personalize report outputs. Starting from the pre-made report reduces manual work.
For example, the health check report is around 75 pages. You open and re-save the health check report and then remove data not relevant to you. You can adjust the defaults, such as the output formats and page orientation. Now, you have a shorter report focusing on your interests. Occasionally, someone forgets to use the ‘save as’ function and directly edits the template. Do not worry; there are automated report backups, and you can restore the template from an earlier version.
dbWatch Control Center also allows users to create custom reports for application-specific data. Custom reports extend reporting to all data stored in the database instances. For instance, a construction company could track submitted designs and flag missing files or unresolved issues.
Automating these reports eliminates the need for you to manually extract and deliver data. It gives you time to focus on critical tasks while ensuring stakeholders receive timely, actionable information.
Reporting on Cross-Platform Databases
You can run dbWatch Control Center reports on one database instance or a set of database instances. One report can include multiple database platforms. This is mainly used when you want to use one query across your entire environment. For example, we run our uptime report on multiple database types, so you’ll get uptime from your database environment, regardless of the platform.
Working with SQL databases is straightforward. When working with SQL and MongoDB, you’ll need to use Farm Data Language (FDL) to aggregate your data. However, some DBAs find it easier to use FDL for SQL queries. FDL gives you the benefit of getting structured data that is difficult to write in SQL. For example, when you need metadata that isn’t in the database.
For example, when joining data in SQL, it has to have a link to join it. In FDL, a link isn’t needed; you join it because it’s part of the same instance or section. So, sometimes, it is quicker and easier to write in FDL than it is in SQL.
In dbWatch Control Center, you have multiple options. You can mix and match with some sections that do FDL, and some are doing SQL statements.
Scheduled and Automated Reporting
Once you’ve customized your reports, it’s time to schedule them for auto-reporting. The dbWatch Control Center will walk you through the process by prompting you to ‘report now’ or ‘set a schedule’ when to run the database reports, and picking which recipients will receive the report via email. For example, you can set the system to give health check reports every Monday morning.
Now that the report is set, you can go to the server and see scheduled reports. You can run a report out of schedule as well.
Use Case: Health Check Reports
Health check reports provide a comprehensive overview of the current and historical state of the databases. Graphs and other visual data points make identifying and interpreting performance patterns easier. Health check reports can pinpoint system issues remotely and even diagnose underlying problems without on-site intervention.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs):
Health check reports serve as a vital tool for client communication and monitoring. Scheduled reports, such as weekly or monthly summaries, give MSPs the ability to track database performance over time. The reports detect anomalies by comparing recent data with historical performance benchmarks. This feature helps maintain transparency and accountability with clients.
Many dbWatch Control Centers MSP customers create variants of the health check reports. They take the standard health check report, add their branding, and the metrics they need. Tailored reports are helpful in monthly customer meetings.
Proactive Detection and Resolution:
By regularly reviewing reports, organizations can identify potential risks before they become significant problems. Health check reports also maintain detailed historical records. These records are invaluable when there’s an issue or you need to understand past configurations.
Health check reports reduce manual monitoring efforts and add value by automating routine diagnostics. This means focusing on strategic tasks rather than repetitive ones for technical teams. For businesses, it ensures that database performance is consistently optimized, with clear, actionable insights delivered directly to stakeholders. These reports ultimately empower DBAs and MSPs to stay ahead of system challenges.
Using dbWatch Control Center as a Database Reporting Software
dbWatch Control Center helps DBAs gather, analyze, and deliver database data. It includes standardized reports and allows for customization to meet specific needs. The software can automate recurring tasks, reducing manual effort and supporting decision-making with accurate insights. Its reporting features are useful for monitoring, troubleshooting, and managing business data efficiently.
See how reports work at our next webinar, below.
