By Don E. Sears
Reposted from Eweek

Everyone is asking to do more with less, but there are certain tasks such as database administration (DBA) that can only be done by highly specialized individuals. Whether it be Microsoft’s SQL or Oracle’s MySQL or other open-source up-and-comers, good DBAs are always in need and are consistently costly. Enter remote DBA services. Nervous about security? Have questions on what these services entail?

We put these questions to task to a provider of remote DBA services based in New York City—Bluewolf—which boasts DBA savings to the tune of 40 percent compared to internal DBA. The following gallery, answered by Holly Gurian, VP Operations of Remote Database Administration for Bluewolf, breaks down what you need to know when evaluating remote DBA services.

Tip 1:
Make sure to review service levels as well as price. Service levels can vary by provider.

Tip 2:
Assess your environment. Determine segments best suited for 24/7 support. Lower traffic, more stable segments may not require 24/7 support.

Tip 3:
Make sure it’s scalable. Your support contract needs to remain cost-effective while you grow. Sometimes, it may be more cost-effecient to add an additional FTE

Tip 4:
Create a list of expectations upfront. If the vendor’s initial service offering doesn’t include what you’d like to see, ask. Not every offering will match requirements.

Tip 5:
Start small. Ask for a “trial” segment of your environment on a month-to-month contract. This will allow you to expand scope as needed.

Tip 6:
Evaluate the vendor’s team and make sure they have seasoned full-time Remote DBAs.

Tip 7:
Does the vendor conduct regular onsite customer visits? Regular on-site visits allow the remote provider to be an extension of your team and understand how to handle emergencies.

Tip 8:
Make sure you have network/security that can open firewall port securely for Remote DBA. Always require a VPN.

Tip 9:
Make sure that you have a single point of contact within your company who can manage the relationship between you and the Remote DBA team.

Tip 10:
Make sure you have a ticketing system that can track the requests for your Remote DBA status.

Tip 11:
Consider and analyze your change management procedures – have clear procedures in place.

Tip 12:
Does the provider offer on-shore, on-site, and on-demand Remote DBA resources so they are available when you need them?