Tools

Tools

As experts in Oracle, MySQL and SQL Server database administration, we've developed our own software solutions to answer specific business needs in the most efficient and comprehensive way possible. From monitoring system availability to tracking database interaction, our tools get the most out of your database software.

The following tools are included free with our service:

 

Support Track

What You Need: Work Documentation

To get the most out of your DBA resources, all database-related work needs to be documented. This helps minimize the effects of DBA turnover and allows the team to re-use methods and techniques in the future.

Pythian's Solution

Support Track is our secure, web-based tracking and reporting solution that documents every interaction with your database environment.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Up-to-the-minute information on every interaction with your system is documented in Support Track as we work;
  • Customizable management reports based on any number of chosen parameters;
  • Problems and their respective resolutions are stored indefinitely, offering a wealth of knowledge exclusively for the use of Pythian DBAs;
  • Minute-level time tracking of all work performed by each DBA in your environment;
  • Documentation is done in great technical detail (e.g., step-by-step Unix or SQL commands);
  • Automatic paging capabilities;
  • Ensures a prompt response to client queries, on-target ETAs and accurate logging of hours; and
  • Included free of charge with our service.

 

Management Reports

What You Need: Activity Tracking

You need to know how your DBA staff spends their time so that you can manage your resources effectively and make sound management decisions, such as re-organizing your staff or revising your budget.

Pythian's Solution

Support Track's customizable Management Reports enable you to track Pythian's activity by any parameter you choose. For example, you may want to track DBA activity by business application, by profit center, by server, by technical category … the options are limitless!

Key Features and Benefits

  • Flexible, customizable parameters. You choose the parameters by which you track the team's work. The choice of parameters is unlimited, so the reports are always relevant;
  • Internet-accessible at any time and integrated with Support Track for up-to-the-minute reporting;
  • Make more informed resource allocation decisions, which can lead to cost savings, improved morale and improved effectiveness of the DBA team;
  • Closely monitor how your DBA staffing budget is being spent;
  • Hours can be broken down by customizable functional categories and by project basis; and
  • Included free of charge with our service.

 

AVAIL

What You Need: Database Availability Monitoring

You know the cost of downtime. You need to ensure the highest level of database availability for your end users and know that availability is being monitored at all times.

Pythian's Solution

Our sophisticated availability-monitoring system is highly customizable. AVAIL verifies the health of your database by connecting once every minute to test for a variety of potential client-specific database and operating system problems. When an anomaly is detected, AVAIL automatically pages your DBA on call, ensuring trouble is dealt with before it impacts the business.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Functionality competes with off-the-shelf monitoring packages, without the cost. Not one client has wanted to buy an off-the-shelf monitoring tool once they've used AVAIL;
  • Runs non-stop, 24/7, with no intervention required by your company;
  • Paging. When an undesirable condition exists on the system, AVAIL will page any list of Pythian or client contacts as defined by you;
  • Key design differentiator. Unlike other monitoring software which look for results in certain ranges, AVAIL identifies results that are not in a predictable range;
  • Infinitely customizable;
  • Integrates tightly with Pythian's business process and 24-hour support escalation; and
  • Included free of charge with our service.

 

DBA Dailies

What You Need: Proactive Monitoring to Prevent Emergencies

You need to know that your databases are performing as they should from day to day and that there are no problems building up over time that could lead to performance problems or downtime.

Pythian's Solution

Through DBA Dailies, we track the smallest of details of your database, keeping an eye on the dozens of parameters generated by your DBMS and your operating system.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Save time and money. Collection and analysis that would take a DBA two hours to perform every day is generally accomplished by our software in five minutes;
  • DBA Dailies are truly preventative. They identify irregularities so that a DBA with client-specific knowledge can determine potential problems from normal fluctuations;
  • Find unpredicted results. Unlike other monitoring software which looks for results in certain ranges, DBA Dailies look for the lack of being in a predictable range;
  • Customizable to track specific items that are relevant to your system;
  • DBA Dailies produce daily diagnostic reports on the status of the system, automatically distributed to your pre-determined contact list; and
  • Included free of charge with our service.

 

Time Tracking

What You Need: Time Tracking By The Minute

You need to know your money is being well spent with nothing wasted on set fees, hourly billing or "rounding up". You want to pay for the time our DBAs spend actively working on your system and not a minute more.

Pythian's Solution

Sophisticated time tracking functionality is built into Support Track to document every minute of time our DBAs spend on your database. You know exactly how long an activity took and are billed by the minute accordingly.

Key Features and Benefits

  • You know exactly how much time was spent working on your environment, by which team member, on which tasks. You get the peace of mind of knowing exactly how your money is being spent;
  • Time Tracking automatically corresponds with our billing process so that every minute paid for is a minute worked;
  • Pinpoint-accurate data to use for your planning and budgeting;
  • The tools you need to answer management's questions; and
  • Our DBAs rigorously document their time as an integrated part their workflow, meaning there is minimal overhead associated with using the tool.