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Lots of businesses use databases for a variety of purposes, and if performance is not monitored and maintained, then all sorts of issues can persist.
Here is a look at what steps you can take to deal with an unoptimized database, and why this should be a priority for all sorts of organizations.
Monitoring for problems makes database administration easier
Rather than trying to take care of database performance problems manually, or allowing issues to go undetected altogether, it makes sense to harness a modern monitoring solution like the one found at SentryOne.com.
Taking advantage of tools like this is not just about combating performance issues when they get especially bad, but about being proactive in the way you manage your database so that it is less likely to suffer a slowdown in the first place.
Fix imperfect queries
One great performance-enhancing step to take with a database is to write queries optimally, as ungainly queries can create hold-ups that frustrate end users significantly.
The aforementioned monitoring solutions can simplify the process of pinpointing problematic queries, and there are lots of techniques to try when it comes to ameliorating them.
Address indexing conundrums
Another aspect of a database that can put the brakes on optimal performance is indexing. This is the underpinning of any good database, and yet excessive use of indexing can be an unnecessary speed bump when processing queries.
As such you need to find a balance, making sure that indexes are in place to make information quick to retrieve, without going too far.
Ensure hardware is up to scratch
Even if you have dealt with any software problems that might be stifling performance, your database’s hardware could be the ultimate bottleneck that limits its functionality.
Processor speed and memory allocation are obvious starting points for your investigations, but a lack of available storage space could also confound you, and potentially be the main flaw in your current setup.
Again it makes sense to look at monitoring tools to see how hardware resources are used over time, and ideally to plan any future upgrades well in advance. You can do this by tracking usage trends and predicting when things like your CPU and storage will become unfit for purpose.
Understand the appeal of database performance optimization
There are several main motivators behind any database optimization project, chief amongst which is money. Put simply, the smoother your database runs, the better it will be for productivity and by extension profitability.
If the database is used for any customer-facing services, then it also needs to be fast and fluid in its operations, or else users will get frustrated and your brand’s reputation will be damaged.
Making a database work as well as possible takes time, money, and expertise, but there is no question that all of this is more than justified by the benefits that you will glean in the long term, both internally and externally to your organization as a whole.