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How to Choose a Database Administration Service

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Simple shopping rules apply here. Know what you need, or at least, have a general idea of what you want and how much you can afford to spend. Within those two parameters, there are also subtle and not-so subtle differences. When choosing a database administration service, talk to the company representative, then talk to the customer service, technical support, and billing office. If any one of these departments doesn’t measure up to the needs of your business, then that company isn’t the right one for you. Don’t form a relationship with any company based only on your conversations with the sales representative. It’s their job to make their company look good. However, it is your job to contract with a company that IS good, so talk to everyone before making a final decision. Call and request odd things at odd times to see how they react to unconventional requests. Call without a customer number and ask for information about another client. (You can get a client name from the references the sales rep gave you at your first meeting.) Test the security measures to make sure that your company’s database will be secure.

It is advisable to perform most of these tasks after informing your sales rep of your intentions to test the company. You may wonder why, if the sales rep is unwilling to allow you a small amount of leniency in testing the company before signing a contract.

Once you’ve narrowed the search for a database administration service, you may want to ask them to compare apples to apples with one or two more companies that you are considering, as well. Show them copies of the proposals and ask them what they can do to serve you better. Perhaps a company has an excellent customer service department, but the tech support level they first offered isn’t as comprehensive as that of another company. If you prefer to do business with them, give them a chance to meet or exceed the other company’s proposal. You may end up with a tech support package that makes the price tag fit just right. And after so much discussion and inspection, you are much less likely to be surprised by the level of service you receive from any database administration service you choose.

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