How to Calculate the ROI of SQL Server Monitoring

By TechFunnel Contributors - Last Updated on May 15, 2020
Article explains about the calculating ROI of SQL server monitoring

Guest Contribution by Claire Jane Ward

Investing in an SQL server can deliver a range of benefits to your business, especially if you are eager to build compelling, effective digital solutions and experiences.

However, justifying the expense of maintaining such a platform can be tricky, which is why it is sensible to calculate the ROI generated by your monitoring efforts to prove that they are making a positive contribution rather than just being a drain on your resources.

Here is a quick look at how to achieve this and why managing your SQL server is just as important as keeping tabs on your online reputation in the modern era.

Steps for Calculating the ROI of SQL Server Monitoring

  1. Dealing with downtime

    The purpose of effective troubleshooting in an SQL server context is to make sure that your database not only performs consistently over time but also to stop unplanned downtime from leaving a dent in your budget.

    The cost of downtime to your business can vary depending on a number of factors, but figures suggest that it can be as high as $5600 for every 60 seconds that an outage endures. If your server is out of action for several hours, the expense will spiral into the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

    The question, then, is not whether you can afford to invest in adequate SQL server monitoring, but rather whether you can afford not to. The ongoing costs of maintaining the server and fixing issues proactively as they arise will be eclipsed several times over by any downtime which might occur if you failed to take a proactive stance on this matter.

    If you have the means, it may be sensible to actually sit down and calculate exactly what kinds of costs your organization will face when downtime strikes, rather than relying on average figures; this will give you a precise picture of the potential expenses you are offsetting with your SQL server monitoring.

  2. Key metrics to consider

    Aside from weighing up the likely burden of unplanned database outages, it is also a good idea to make a rough estimate of SQL server monitoring ROI based on information that you know and can control to a certain extent.

    Firstly you need to consider the number of servers that are within your infrastructure, as well as the amount of time that your database administrator dedicates in a given working day to maintaining and monitoring duties.

    You will need to take the typical hourly rate that your DBA earns, as well as the proportion of their time that they dedicate to optimizing your servers and addressing any issues that they come across.

    Weighing all of these factors against one another will empower you with the information you need to work out the kind of returns you can expect to glean if you invest in SQL server maintenance.

  3. Additional elements

    When calculating the ROI of SQL server monitoring, it is also vital to remember that giving your DBAs access to the right tools for the job at hand can also allow them to be more efficient and productive.

    This, in turn, means that you can get more work done with fewer team members required since admins can keep on top of more tasks if they are not having to spend all of their time manually seeking out problems that need to be dealt with.

    There are plentiful tools available, some of which are baked into specific SQL server solutions as built by big providers like Microsoft and Oracle, others of which come from third parties.

    Choosing the right SQL server monitoring solution will not only help you stay on top of potentially disruptive issues but will also provide you with a way to keep maintenance costs down. Pricing varies between platforms and providers, but as this market is competitive you can expect to get a good deal if you shop around.

    Ask your DBAs for input in this area and they will likely have suggestions and preferences, which could further guide your decision-making and lead to both cost savings and improved employee satisfaction.

    In terms of what to look for in a monitoring solution that will deliver a solid ROI, there are plenty of appealing elements found across the top packages. This includes the ability to track the way that different hardware resources are being used, such as the CPU, the memory, and the I/O.

    Being able to identify issues quickly and nip them in the bud before they balloon out of control is all part and parcel of what a well-equipped DBA will be able to do.

    These productivity gains can be classed as valuable returns on any monitoring spending that you commit to the pot. Making the best use of your existing resources, rather than throwing money at the issue and hoping for the best, is clearly the correct course of action.

    All of that is not to say that you should put blind faith in your SQL server monitoring efforts and assume that you are getting good value for money from them. Regular recalculating of ROI will put you ahead of the game and let you make informed decisions going forward.

Furthermore, it pays to keep your ear to the ground so that any significant developments in this industry do not pass you by. As monitoring tech evolves, you can maximize your returns by updating and upgrading as appropriate.

TechFunnel Contributors | TechFunnel.com is an ambitious publication dedicated to the evolving landscape of marketing and technology in business and in life. We are dedicated to sharing unbiased information, research, and expert commentary that helps executives and professionals stay on top of the rapidly evolving marketplace, leverage technology for productivity, and add value to their knowledge base.

TechFunnel Contributors | TechFunnel.com is an ambitious publication dedicated to the evolving landscape of marketing and technology in business and in life. We are dedicate...

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