There's no two ways about it – every business, no matter its size, must utilize at least one database for its critical information. Databases house every piece of content that is important to a company, from details about its clients to its own historical purchases and marketing campaigns. Every organization needs databases, but choosing the right system for your firm may be easier said than done.
No two database services are the same – some offer capabilities and features that are simply not available in other arrangements. Administrators and decision-makers must analyze their corporation's needs and understand the abilities of their database options to ensure they select one that will position their brand for success. When it comes to choosing the best database, there are several tips and considerations to factor in, including the following:
1) What is the current size of the business, and how much could it grow?
One important item to consider is the current size of the business and how much information it will need to house within its database solution. A small company may only need very basic database services to begin with, but as it grows, these needs will likely grow, noted Shivam Technologies. If the firm expands organically or grows through the acquisition of another organization, it will require additional database resources to account for this extra information. Therefore, when decision-makers are seeking to deploy the corporation's first database, they should ensure that the system is scalable and can grow to meet their demands.
2) On-premise, dedicated or in the cloud?
When implementing a database, administrators must also decide if they would like the system to be housed within their own on-premise infrastructure or if the platform will be hosted in the cloud by a service provider, noted Dice contributor Nick Kolakowski. Hosted databases can offer numerous benefits for an enterprise, including the fact that the resources can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection. This way, even workers in the most geographically dispersed locations can connect with the company database through an online portal.
3) How much will the company spend on its database services?
The price point for the database system is also an essential consideration to make. Shivam Technologies noted that there are basic database services available for as little as a few hundred dollars. However, these may not include the robust features and capabilities an organization needs to meet its demands. Therefore, decision-makers must find an adequate balance between the tools available within the database system and the price they pay for it. For instance, many businesses these days are opting for cloud-based SQL or NoSQL database services for the cost-efficiency and usability.
4) Is it portable?
IT Business Edge suggested also taking a look at the portability of the system and the cloud provider, in order to avoid any vendor lock-in.
"When looking at different cloud database solutions, consider whether the tool allows you the freedom and flexibility to move your applications and data to whatever cloud provider you choose, yet still utilizes all of the tools and applications you've developed," IT Business Edge stated.
5) What security measures come built-in?
Especially when looking at databases that will be hosted and accessed through the service provider, administrators should take a look at the vendor's security infrastructure. The database may come with certain security features, but the company may want to add additional protections on its side – including authentication credentials for user access – to provide added oversight and peace of mind.
6) What is the vendor's track record?
Lastly, decision-makers should take a look at the database provider themselves to ensure that they are utilizing the services of a trusted, industry-leading vendor. Hostway has established quite the reputation in the sector for providing best-in-class database services that are flexible, available and secure. Contact a Hostway representative today to find out more about all the advantages a Hostway database solution can offer.