Home > Multi-Tasking in the Modern Database Environment

Multi-Tasking in the Modern Database Environment

Man looking at computer near servers

Every database manager knows the complexities involved in maintaining and optimizing multiple enterprise databases. But knowing the complexities of database management and having the requisite knowledge and skills (never mind the right tools) to get the job done, is a different matter. Businesses today use a wide range of database systems to support a variety of applications and data types. While this approach is perfect for catering to specific data needs (matching technologies to requirements ad hoc), from a database management perspective it means overseeing multiple and diverse systems simultaneously.

One of the clearest patterns we’re seeing lately is a large-scale shift to cloud-based solutions. Cloud solutions offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. While the benefits of operating in the cloud are obvious, they also mean database professionals need to adapt to new tools and technologies quickly; a factor that significantly affects the role of anyone used to working with more traditional database setups. Another recent trend is a shift towards adopting or co-adopting open-source database solutions. In today’s market, knowing how to migrate masses of precious data from traditional enterprise databases to solutions like PostgreSQL is an extremely useful skill.

Managing Multiple Databases

In our updated whitepaper called "Manage Your Multiple Database Journey" we address the growing complexity of multi-database environments. We draw on industry insights and case studies to look at the strategic implementation and management of multiple databases and database types. Key points include:

  • Multiple and diverse databases: Organizations use various database systems (including data warehouses and NoSQL databases) to support different applications and data types. While this approach caters to specific needs and use cases, it also means database managers must oversee multiple systems simultaneously while ensuring operational, optimized, and efficient systems.
  • Cloud transition: Cloud-based databases offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, but they also mean database managers need to adapt to new tools and practices for managing hybrid or cloud environments. Cloud databases require performance and security oversight, reflecting a shift from physical to virtual management.
  • Multi-database strategy: Redundancy and transactional capacity are key benefits. Distributed deadlock detection improves transaction processing. Other benefits include redundancy, high availability, flexible scheduling, and reduced downtime. By adopting a multi-database strategy enterprises aim to ensure sufficient capacity, simplified compliance measures, and hassle-free scalability.
  • Multi-Tasking at Scale

    In the modern multi-database environment database professionals are expected to multitask at scale. And yet few database managers come to their roles with the expertise or experience needed to keep such varied and diverse data layers running optimally. This isn’t a failing on the part of database managers; it’s a sign of the complexity of the current IT environment where there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to data management.

    If anything, the move toward complex and distributed database environments further emphasizes a need for comprehensive database monitoring and management tools. The key to database optimization isn’t just about hiring the right database people, it’s about ensuring that when you have the right people, they have the right tools to work with. To learn more about the multi-database environments, download our updated whitepaper today.

    READ THE WHITEPAPER TODAY

    Avatar photo
    Jeff Stewart
    Jeff Stewart brings more than 20 years of monitoring and observability expertise, with over 13 years of product strategy and solutions engineering at SolarWinds. He is…
    Read more