In the world of critical enterprise apps and the databases that support them, the Database Administrator (DBA) often plays the part of the unsung hero, but the value of their support of this crucial tech is truly invaluable.

Your DBA must be a jack-of-all-trades and effectively on call for the applications of the entire organization. And let’s face it, a good one is hard to find and for some companies, even harder to afford (the average salary of a DBA can exceed $100,000). Since your Database Management Systems (DBMS) touch all areas of the enterprise, finding the best support option for your database management strategy is absolutely critical. So, who’s managing your databases?

In the “Definitive Guide to Enterprise Database Management,” we’ve outlined the many options companies have when it comes to the management of their databases. In this post we’ll take a closer look at one of the many options companies have when determining the best database management solution for their organization:

The Independent Consulting Firm

Although similar to the Freelance Consultant, the Independent Consulting Firm provides organizations with a full team of database experts, instead of a single DBA, and having that larger pool of IT pros as a resource makes sense for a variety of reasons:

• Avoid the Skill and Knowledge Gap: a broader base of knowledge and experience means a lower risk of a knowledge or skills gap).
• Specialized Skills for Specific Projects: if you’re looking for help with a particular database project (i.e. implementations, tuning and optimizing, upgrades, etc.), the variety of skills you could get with an independent consulting firm will likely meet your needs.

It’s important to keep in mind that having someone in house who can provide project management for an independent consulting firm will be key to your success. This team member will make sure your partnership with the consulting firm runs smoothly and successfully.

Finding a Database Management Solution That Works For Your Company

Although the benefits of the Independent Consulting Firm are clear, as with all management options, cost can present a challenge. And finding a firm that’s both affordable and meets your management needs presents a whole new set of obstacles. But that shouldn’t mean you have to sacrifice on the quality of management your databases are receiving.

For many companies, the solution is partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) for the management and optimization of their databases. A strong MSP partnership means having a full team of experts dedicated both to the ongoing management and optimization for your databases.

In our “Definitive Guide to Enterprise Database Management,” we’ve defined the ever-changing role of the modern DBA, the most common support options, and more. Download your copy here: