Whitepaper: Challenges of Cross-Platform Database Development

Both database administrators and database developers alike face serious challenges as companies strive to store and manage more and more data. A lack of the skill sets can slow deploying a new database platform, costing companies time and money.

For example, acquisitions often introduce new platforms to existing information technology (IT) infrastructures, and DBAs may be tasked with getting up to speed even though they have limited knowledge about the new platform. Between multiple DBAs and developers, there is often a lack of consistent administration procedures, which can also affect productivity. These issues lead to longer resolution times and a negative impact on service-level agreements. For example, if an administrator finds an application issue, it may need to be handed over to a developer for resolution. As developers struggle to become familiar with a new platform, it may take additional time to identify and fix the problem.

The challenges of cross-platform database development and management can lead to increased costs, as IT departments hire new database professionals to support unfamiliar platforms.

Unfortunately, the days of working within a single platform are over. DBAs and developers must adapt. They need to arm themselves with the right tools and procedures to support multiple platforms and work despite the enormous challenges they face. They need to find and implement tools that can alleviate tasks and make working in and between multiple database platforms easy and seamless. DBAs and developers must have tools that provide integrated SQL development, comprehensive change management, and the ability to optimize code for production.

Database developers spend most of their time writing SQL queries, changing procedures, and writing code. Database administrators monitor and manage a wide range of platforms in different locations. Both DBAs and developers need tools that provide strong heterogeneous support for SQL development, so that even if they’re unfamiliar with the platform they are using, they can work within a familiar user interface. A unified solution that automates applying configuration standards and templates in the various platforms and can perform compliance checks will boost productivity.

In the cross-platform database development environments of today’s overtaxed IT departments, the heat is on developers and database administrators (DBAs) to be productive and efficient. This scenario is likely to become even more intense in the coming years. Tools that simplify and automate once-manual, laborious tasks can have a profound impact on database professionals’ effectiveness, helping to mitigate rising costs while improving and optimizing how the databases of an organization perform. From within a single user interface, DBAs, and developers have complete access to the tools they need to work with multiple database management systems (DBMSs), regardless of their background or expertise.

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