Businesses should note that SQL server maintenance is as important as the creation of backups for your data. However, the unfortunate fact is several companies install SQL servers; however, they fail to create their maintenance plans first. They believe everything is perfect till issues later arise, and sometimes the problems are so large that the business operations suffer, and companies incur huge losses.

SQL Server maintenance – The need for every business to function properly

When there are issues in the SQL server, the database does not necessarily fail; however, businesses will witness a drastic decline in performance and function. Generally, the space in the disk runs out, or the database becomes corrupt. Consultants of SQL servers state business owners should always ensure they have extensive backup plans for their database and later create a customized maintenance plan for it.

What should a maintenance plan entail?

It becomes easier for you to create a maintenance plan for your database of you have been a part of the SQL Server since its inception. However, if you have just joined the database management team, you generally need to continue with the plan they have created at its inception. Their plan might involve operating a batch file under Windows or using custom SQL scripts. Consultants in SQL servers generally guide business owners on how they can simplify general tasks without compromising on simplicity. They help their clients to enjoy the advantages of flexibility when it comes to dealing with complex management plans. Businesses have the option to operate their customized Window batch script as well as SQL script before and right after the backup process is completed as well as after the other processes for backup has finished.

The maintenance process should be regular

The SQL Server database needs regular maintenance, and this is a time-consuming procedure. The MS SQL server has an inbuilt tool that makes it simple for business owners to create and incorporate general maintenance tasks. It is called the Maintenance Plan Wizard.

You can locate and start the Maintenance Plan Wizard under the SQL Server Management Studio option found in the Management category of the SSMS tree. The tool will create schedule jobs that are operated by the SQL Server Agent while performing the tasks given below-

1. It reorganizes index pages
2. It rebuilds the indexes
3. It updates the statistics on the indexes
4. It shrinks the log files and data by removing empty pages
5. It creates a backup for the transaction log and backup database
6. It performs regular internal consistency checks
7. It performs cleanup tasks

Specialists in SQL server consulting suggest it is worth setting up maintenance plans to make the above daily tasks simpler for a company to perform.

Note with every database system; there are some key items that boost its performance. They are –

• A good design for the database system
• An SQL code that has been written properly
• Accurate indexes
• Present statistics
• Defragmented data and indexes

Take a look at each of the above one by one-

1. Design and SQL code

Here, these two are taken together as they are similar in many ways. SQL Server consultants state the first two factors are very challenging for the business as systems expand, and usage patterns transform with time. So, getting them correct in the initial stage is not simple. In addition to this, making changes to them is a complicated affair and takes a lot of time. Changing them can be really hard as well, in some cases, impossible. SQL Server consultants maintain that when the application is written, the code is created for completing the task and so the developer does not consider testing the load or issues that may arise in the future when the database expands. The database is designed to manage the requirements of the business at that specific time, and this tends to change drastically as the years pass by. They can indeed be altered to manage the changes that are in use; however, the effort that businesses need to endure is pretty high, and not much can be done when you compare them to what should be done to arrest the issue or manage a surge in loads.

2. Accurate Indexes

When it comes to accurate indexes, they can be changed easily with the passage of time; however, the usage patterns also change in the database system. The database administrators should review the statements that are being released so that new indexes are created. The old indexes should be removed, and the present indexes should be modified to meet the current needs.

3. Present statistics and defragmented data and indexes

 

They can be handled with maintenance tasks run on a regular basis to make sure that the SQL statements are operating effectively. Database administrators do not have to place too much effort on maintenance tasks; however, they do offer businesses significant results of conducted correctly. These maintenance tasks should include index rebuild, updates of statistics, and the defragmentation of data and indexes.

The SQL server offers many options for effectively performing maintenance tasks. The most popular area for the above here is the use of Database Maintenance Plans, which is a simple way of ensuring that maintenance tasks are being regularly conducted on the SQL database system.

Therefore, when it comes to the optimal functioning of your SQL servers, ensure you have a good maintenance process that updates the statistics and rebuilds indexes. If you are not able to do the above, use a good data maintenance plan. Take the help of SQL Server consultants to look at other alternatives to make your database more functional and robust. Last but not least, ensure you take all the time it needs to understand statistics and the index fragmentation of the system completely. In this way, businesses do not suffer from frequent SQL server performance issues and can focus on the core tasks on hand for further growth and development in the market.