Databases are the backbone of pretty much every business these days. They power your website, store customer info, and keep your essential systems running. But keeping those databases healthy and performing well is a lot of work. You’re dealing with constantly changing tech, security risks popping up all the time, and just a massive amount of data to manage. So, how do you stay on top of it all and ensure things run smoothly, day in, day out? 

One smart move is to consider a database maintenance contract. It’s a proactive approach that keeps your databases in tip-top shape in the long run. In this blog, we’ll explain what a database maintenance contract actually is, what kind of services are typically included, and why it can be a much better option than relying solely on scheduled maintenance or stretching your in-house team too thin. 

What is a database maintenance contract? 

Simply put, a database maintenance contract is an agreement between your company and a database specialist like Monin. It spells out exactly what services we’ll provide to keep your databases running smoothly and securely. Think of it less as emergency repair and more as ongoing, behind-the-scenes care. Usually, this is part of a broader managed services package. 

So, what kind of services are we talking about? Well, it varies depending on the service level you choose. There’s everything from basic reactive support to full proactive management. Some of the most common services include things like: 

• Regular check-ups 

• Constant monitoring 

• Applying security patches 

• Verifying data integrity 

• Performance tuning 

• Managing backups and recovery 

Why do companies get these contracts? Often, it’s to outsource database admin completely, or to help their existing IT team. Reasons vary: maybe they don’t have in-house database specialists, or can’t do 24/7 monitoring themselves, or just want their own team to focus on other stuff like in-house innovations. 

What are the benefits of a maintenance contract? 

So, what’s in it for you? Why bother with a maintenance contract in the first place? Well, there are quite a few good reasons, especially when you compare it to just relying on your own IT team for everything related to databases. 

First off, you get constant access to database experts. If you’re only relying on in-house staff, what happens if your one DBA is ill, or on holiday, or just leaves? With a contract, you’ve got a team available around the clock. This often comes with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) which basically guarantee a certain level of support and response time. Bottom line: quicker problem solving and less downtime if something serious goes wrong. 

Another big plus is freeing up your budget and your team. Database specialists keep up with the latest versions and features, so you don’t have to spend money constantly training your own people or hiring new ones in a tough job market. Finding and keeping good DBAs is hard and expensive these days. 

Maintenance contracts also help with the “accidental DBA” problem. You know, those IT guys who sort of ended up looking after the databases almost by accident? They mean well, but keeping up with everything database-wise while doing your actual job is a real stretch. A contract gives them proper backup. 

And lastly, think about staff turnover. What happens when your experienced database guru retires and takes all that knowledge with them? A maintenance contract helps avoid that knowledge gap. The provider makes sure there’s always someone on hand who knows your systems, even if your internal team changes. It’s about keeping things stable and consistent in the long run. 

Why should you invest in a maintenance contract?   

Okay, so you get the benefits, but what about the cost? Is a maintenance contract actually worth the investment? In most cases, yeah, it really is. 

Think about it: employing a full-time database administrator (DBA) costs a fair bit. And often, a maintenance contract actually works out to roughly the same price, or even less. Plus, even if hiring a single DBA seems cheaper on paper, remember it doesn’t come with all those benefits we just talked about: 24/7 cover, a whole team of experts, and so on. 

And what about just calling someone in when things go wrong? Well, on-demand support can work in a pinch, but it’s not ideal. You might have to wait ages for someone to be available or get hit with additional charges. With a contract, you get a much faster response, usually within hours, depending on your SLA and how urgent the problem is. 

It’s a bit like car breakdown cover. You still get your car serviced regularly, of course. But it’s good to know you’re covered if something unexpected happens between services. Database maintenance contracts are similar: an extra layer of security and peace of mind. 

Finally, for some organisations a database maintenance contract is not just convenient but crucial. If your business grinds to a halt every time your database goes offline, a maintenance contract becomes essential protection. Especially with cyber security threats being what they are these days. Regular maintenance and security updates are a key defense against hackers trying to exploit any weaknesses in your systems. 

Which database maintenance services does Monin offer?  

So, what can Monin actually do for you when it comes to database maintenance? We’ve bundled our services together under the name “Database Managed Services”. Basically, we offer different levels of support depending on what you need. You can go for something more hands-off and reactive, or a full-on proactive package – and we support pretty much all common database systems. 

Our Flex service is all about reactive support. We don’t do anything without you saying so, but you’ve got the peace of mind of knowing our database experts are ready to jump in whenever you need them. Basically, it’s on-demand expertise, just a phone call away. 

Then there’s our Enterprise package. This is more of a set menu of database management services, agreed upfront. The idea here is to be proactive so we can stop problems happening in the first place. And if something does crop up, we’ll sort it out straight away, without you even having to log a request. The Enterprise package comes in a few different flavours (bronze, silver, and gold) so you can pick the level of proactive support that suits your organisation best. 

Want to know more about the specifics? Have a look at our Database Managed Services page! 

Sounding good? Or still wondering if a maintenance contract is the right move for your organisation? Get in touch! We’re happy to chat through your options and see what works best for you.