PROBLEMS WITH SQL SERVERS
NOT FIXED WITH AUTOMATIC TUNING
The following are common problems when using Automatic Tuning, relying on SQL Counters, NOLOCK, or have Server Recovering problems when trying to manage your SQL servers.
Unaware
Most IT managers lack DBA expertise and resources—and don’t know about potential SQL problems.
Systems Crash
Running a SQL Server without regular maintenance (automatic tuning, SQL Server Recovering, etc.) can slow it down drastically, hide corruption in your database, and crash your system—it’s never if, it is when.
Dysfunctional Hardware
A sketchy server hard drive, or zapped power supply, can also corrupt a perfectly clean database.
Virus Hades
Toss in a ransomware attack without proper backups, and you are toast even if you pay the ransom!
Lose Your Job
When your SQL databases go down—you go down (you had ONE job to do).
FIX IT
You have to regularly maintain and FIX the problems—before your backups.
Normal Backup Doesn’t Work
Untested backup plans are a failure in waiting. But even your best backups won’t help an un-fixed corrupt database (it just copies it, and you’ll still have problems).
You Need Help
Most IT doesn’t know how to detect the problems, fix them, or are too busy Or, the built-in tools don’t work (automatic tuning, SQL counters, SQL NoLock, Server Recovering or VLFS).
So, you need help—but who do you call?
ALTERNATIVES
You Could Hire A Generalist
Most IT consultants dabble in SQL Server DBA services but they are NOT specialists.
Offshore and junior DBAs
You might be tempted with the cheapest offshore options if you can handle the language and time zone barriers or risk questionable quality.
Monitoring & Alerting Tools
You could pick up generic SQL tools—but they cost $2k to $5k per server per year and many don’t screen for all potential issues. You could try built-in tools like Automatic Tuning, Server Recovering, etc.–but when they don’t work… you’re stuck.
Need Instant Help
When your crash happens (and it will), you need help NOW, not in hours or days.
Eternal Reliance
Most DBA services won’t share their knowledge—they are afraid you won’t need them anymore.
Nickel and Dimers
Most DBA-managed services charge, and charge, and charge… making you pay constantly for every issue – or phone call.
THE BIG QUESTION
So, how do you get the most experienced SQL Server expertise, the best monitoring and alerting tools (better than Automatic Tuning), and the most responsive support, at a price you can afford?
Perhaps you should consider…
CREDIBILITY – FOR HELP WITH SQL
- One of a few companies worldwide with extensive experience repairing corrupt databases. You don’t know us—but your DBAs do (we are who they go to when they can’t fix it)
- 34 years of SQL Server experience (since 1990) – team worked at Microsoft
- Database Health Monitor – 13 years in development (since 2011)
- Industry Thought Leader in SQL Server Repair
- Ran industry, “Database Corruption Challenge” – only the best survive
BEST SOLUTION – Beats Automatic Tuning
There are five main reasons to consider Stedman Solution’s SQL Server DBA Managed Service
- TRUE SQL Server Specialists
- BEST Staffing & SQL Expertise
- BEST Monitoring & Alerting
- Industry’s BEST Support
- BEST Mentoring
Plus, the Price Performance Leader
Let’s look at each of these points in depth:
1. TRUE SQL SERVER SPECIALISTS TO FIX YOUR SQL PROBLEMS
All DBA service providers know the basics of SQL (and can run Automatic Tuning, SQL Counters, NoLock, Server Recovering & VLFS)–but they call us when they have a serious problem. Dedicated solely to SQL Server means you get the best of the best. You hit the motherload.
2. BEST STAFFING & SQL EXPERTISE
Stedman Solutions assigns you a dedicated technical team.
US-based DBAs
DBAs are native-English speakers, and they’re in your time zone—no accents and easy to reach.
MOST Skilled DBAs
Most Stedman Solutions DBAs have 20+ years of SQL Server expertise with specialized skills in all major environments in performance tuning, storage and virtualization, replication, fail-over, and corruption repair. They’ve seen it all, and now you get to benefit!
LOW Turnover
Stedman employees stick around—so you don’t have turnover in the middle of your project, ensuring better continuity and on-time completion. You know them by name.
Redundant Coverage
Your ongoing SQL Server team is staffed with at least three DBAs to ensure your project moves forward and is continuously monitored and optimized (even if someone gets sick or leaves for vacation).
3. BEST MONITORING AND ALERTING
The industry didn’t offer an effective monitoring and alerting tool–so, Stedman Solutions built it. You get customizable reporting, a continuous health check with alerting, and regular review calls.
Database Health Monitor
You get an application site license for assessing, monitoring and tracking your SQL server health. Includes training for your team. Find out more about Databsae Health Monitor.
Continuous Monitoring with Alerts
Your system is under continuous surveillance and will automatically and proactively alert you and Stedman Solutions of any problems.
Immediate Remediation
The team will immediately start remote remediation on urgent notified items. Includes customized reporting of results.
Regular Account Review
Includes weekly, bi-weekly or monthly client review meetings to proactively address any concerns, discuss the status of open projects, and plans to protect your systems.
4. BEST SUPPORT FOR SQL HELP
Stedman Solutions provides the industry’s best support with extended support hours, fast response, and even limited 24/7. You have the hotline number and multiple cell numbers—whatever it takes.
Unlimited Support
During Business Hours. Available from 6 am to 6 pm PST. Emergency help is immediate, or the time can be scheduled.
Fast Response Time
The average response time is 15 minutes with a guaranteed 4-hour SLA. Need faster response time? There is an optional high-availability support package.
Limited 24/7 Support
Every account, whether paying for high availability or not, gets one hour of 24/7 support included per server each month. This provides critical help when you need it—without extra cost.
5. BEST MENTORING
Unlike other groups that hide their approach and keep you in the dark (assuming it is better job security), Stedman Solutions is the opposite. The team collaborates, shares, and teaches your group how to better maintain your systems. The job is to keep you up and running—regardless of who can respond the quickest.
Free Online Courses
You’ll have access to an extensive library of over a dozen online classes—sold to the public, but available for free to managed service customers.
2 hours Of Mentoring Per Month Per Server Included
Need help with queries or code changes, performance tuning, reporting, or overall system architecture? No sweat.
Free Knowledge Transfer
The team is not afraid to teach and share whatever will help you.
PRICE PERFORMANCE LEADER
Unlike alternative companies, that charge you again, and again for every little issue (sending you endlessly to accounting), Stedman Solutions has a simple recurring monthly fee and a “whatever it takes” model. It is easy to budget for and you know you are covered.
Pay Per Server and Get it All
Managed service uses an all-you-can-eat model. There is no nickel and diming you every time you need help—it is all-inclusive.
No Limits
No time limit to assess your instances, optimize your SQL Server environment for peak performance, to ensure business continuity plans are in place and thoroughly tested. Your peace of mind, productivity, and customer experience are the priority
Version Upgrades
Stable upgrades of the latest version of SQL Server (the customer is responsible for licenses) are typically conducted every 2 years (typical Microsoft schedule) to ensure each upgrade is proven and compatible. Takes up to 50 or more hours/server.
Latest Patches
The latest Microsoft patches (quarterly or monthly) are also included. Your environment is always current, balancing vulnerability, and better performance with compatibility.
Corruption Fixes Included
If your databases somehow become corrupted within the managed service period, the team will repair the databases whenever possible, or restore them. Fortunately, alerting and backups help reduce the risk of lost data.
WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK?
Now that you’ve seen some of the advantages of Stedman Solutions, what’s holding you back? The following are common questions.
What if we are moving to the cloud?
Whether on-prem or in the cloud, you still need a properly maintained SQL Server environment. Plus, cloud infrastructure is expensive, so we’ll help reduce your scalability costs.
How competitive is the pricing?
Most folks feel the pricing is VERY competitive, especially since the monthly amount is consistent and easier to budget for. Plus, it is much less than hiring a high-end Database Admin (DBA).
What are the Agreement Terms
Flexible options include annual or monthly. There is a one-time configuration fee of $1,100 per server if monthly, but it is waived with a one-year agreement.
Does this work with our unique systems?
Stedman Solutions DBAs have worked in numerous customer environments. We learn your domain area, and then you don’t lose that expertise if someone leaves your internal team.
Who are you guys?
Our brand is not well-known since we stay in the background much of the time, but we are the folks that the other “experts” use to fix their toughest cases world-wide.
Life Before – Automatic Tuning, or your Server Recovering is broken
You thought it was fine (backed up & tuned up). You don’t know why (hard drive, power supply, virus)? But you better fix it quick, or the next words out of your mouth…“Would you like fries with that? (outside employment opportunities)
Like a tidal wave, your first indicator of SQL trouble hits with a few email complaints, followed by several emotional phone calls (including “the boss”), and then the virtual smoke—the grim reaper is circling. You tried Automatic Tuning, Server Recovering, checked your SQL Counters, NOLOCK, and VLFS–but your server is DEAD.
No warning, no clue, no job—if you don’t fix this immediately.
Your New Life – You Got Help with SQL
This time (your new job) you got smart—and hired Stedman Solutions. Quickly, while you had credibility and could easily get the minimal budget.
Your system thought it was going down. Nope.
The continuous monitoring caught several critical flags, you were sent an alert at 1 am and were texting—but noticed a new text–your Stedman Solutions team was already on top of it.
They securely logged in remotely, noticed the failed server (virus, hardware, database issue…), sent out a company email (servers down for 10 minutes—for any overachievers), and quickly restored your validated clean data to the redundant standby server at a redundant site.
You got a text within the hour with instructions on the fix, and a surprise phone call that a remediation meeting was scheduled for the following morning.
Life is Good
