The Real Cost of SQL Server Management: In-House Team vs. Stedman Solutions

When managing your SQL Server environment, you’re faced with a critical decision: Should you build an in-house team, or should you outsource to specialists like Stedman Solutions? Let’s dive into the financial implications of both options to determine where your investment will provide the most value.

The In-House Team: What It Really Costs

To ensure your SQL Servers are running smoothly, you’d need a competent in-house team. Here’s what that typically involves:

Senior DBA: A highly skilled expert who can handle complex tasks such as performance tuning, disaster recovery, and high availability. The cost? Equivalent to hiring about two experienced employees in other departments.
Mid-Level DBA: This person manages routine operations, supports the senior DBA, and handles day-to-day SQL Server tasks. The cost? Comparable to adding another seasoned professional to your payroll.

Together, the annual expense of maintaining this team is equivalent to hiring three highly experienced employees. But the costs don’t end there.

The Hidden Costs: Unplanned Downtime

Even with a skilled in-house team, unplanned downtime is a real risk. For a typical small to mid-sized business (SMB), SQL Server downtime can total 10 to 20 hours per year or more. Each hour of downtime could cost your business the equivalent of a few weeks’ salary for one employee. Over a year, these interruptions could add up to the cost of hiring yet another experienced team member.

Total Cost of an In-House Team

When you account for both the salaries of your DBAs and the potential costs of unplanned downtime, your total annual expense could be equivalent to hiring four full-time, highly experienced employees. This doesn’t even take into account the costs associated with ongoing training, certifications, and the risk of turnover.

The Stedman Solutions Alternative: Cost-Efficient Expertise

Now, consider the alternative: Stedman Solutions. For an annual fee that is far less, you gain access to a team of SQL Server specialists with decades of experience. Here’s what you get:

A Team of 3 or 4 DBAs: You’re not just getting one or two people—you’re getting a full team of experts dedicated to your SQL Server environment.
Continuous Monitoring: Your SQL Servers are under constant surveillance, with immediate alerts and rapid responses to any issues.
Proactive Performance Tuning: Regular tuning ensures that your servers are optimized for peak performance.
Reduced Downtime: Our expertise reduces unplanned downtime by at least 90%, significantly lowering the associated costs.

With our service, the cost of downtime could drop to the equivalent of just a few days’ salary for one employee over the entire year.

The Financial Advantage: Savings and Peace of Mind

When you compare the costs, choosing Stedman Solutions can save your business 46% to 57% annually compared to building and maintaining an in-house team. Not only does this save you money, but it also eliminates the stress of managing SQL Server performance, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

Additionally, our expertise may help you reduce licensing costs by optimizing SQL Server performance, providing even more value for your investment.

Conclusion: The Smart Choice for SQL Server Management

The decision is clear: Would you rather manage a team of four DBAs, dealing with the unpredictability and high costs of downtime, or pay a far lower fee to have SQL Server experts handle everything, ensuring smooth, reliable operations? With Stedman Solutions, you get more than just cost savings—you gain peace of mind and a partner dedicated to your business’s success.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Stedman Solutions can help your company save money and improve SQL Server performance, contact us today or find out more about our SQL Server Managed Services.

Let’s keep your SQL Servers running at their best—without the hefty price tag of an in-house team.

Find out more about our SQL Server Managed Services from Stedman Solutions.