If you have a business, and that business has a computer, chances are you have a database. Databases are what computers are good at. Word documents, spreadsheets, web pages are all very good, but they are all glorified versions of something that can be done on paper. Replicating the functionality of a relational database in paper simply cannot be done.
The success of a company can also be measured by the size of its database. (Notice we use the singular 'database' here - the rule of thumb with databases is the fewer the better) As a company grows it accrues data at an exponential rate. More sales, more transactions, more clients, more suppliers, more employees - all generate data. Where SQL server comes in is the ability to combine, hold and analyse all of this data easily, efficiently, and securely.
We mentioned above the need to keep the number of databases down to a minimum. How many companies have loads of Access databases, some in accounts, some in sales, others in shipping - that all contain useful information, but can't exchange information? With SQL server, and some database expertise from Citric, it is possible to combine all the information from those Access databases (and other data sources of course - Excel Spreadsheets, Paradox, FoxPro, DBase etc) and hold them as one relational database. So, when the sales manager needs to know whether his best customer's order has been shipped, he can look up the customer's record and find out because it's now related to information from shipping.
This ability to have cross-business information delivered to every employee is called Business Intelligence. SQL Server forms the basis of Citric's recommended business intelligence platform - as expert database designers with a range of experience in tranforming and upsizing a range of data sources, we can develop a business intelligence solution that's right for you and your business. Because business intelligence doesn't end with the database - that's just where it starts.
We can develop web and Windows based client applications, reporting applications, OLAP (OnLine Analytical Processing) cubes and XML web services. You tell us what you'd like to know from your business, and we'll give the tools to find it.
Expert Knowledge
SQL Server forms a critical part of an organisation's IT infrastructure. Its performance and availability can directly affect the bottom line. Being both database developers and infrastructure specialists, Citric Technology understand all aspects of SQL server, giving us a 360 degree view of how SQL servers should perform.
Available Services
Platform Design & Installation
If you are considering a SQL server installation, call us for expert SQL consultancy services, to ensure you maximise the solution's capabilities.
- Complete service, from planning and sizing to commission and data migration.
- We can advise on hardware configuration and acquisition.
- We use load-simulation tools to baseline and optimise hardware performance prior to SQL installation.
- We aim to maximise the 4 critical factors: performance, availability, recovery and growth.
Performance Report
This is a one-day on-site service with a follow-up report, for companies experiencing problems with SQL server performance, or who are considering changes to the SQL infrastructure.
- Investigates every aspect of the SQL infrastructure including:
- Network environment
- Hardware performance and configuration
- Server configuration
- SQL configuration
- Database design
- Client access and design
- Performance monitoring of database and server over the day, and longer periods if required.
- Performance results presented and explained.
- Recommendations presented, along with explanations, benefits, and implementation plans.
- Report presented in format suitable for management, but contains full technical details.
The above is available for £1000 for up to three SQL instances on a single server or cluster, excluding VAT and travel costs. More complex installation may require additional hours/days - please call us for further details.
Mirroring/Clustering (advanced installations)
If you looking to implement advanced SQL functionality, such as mirroring and clustering, but don't fancy going it alone, call us in for expert assistance. We are used to performing the required steps of extending the database platform, and can ensure you avoid the pitfalls of a major infrastructure change without risking the company data. We can also use our expertise in virtual server to build affordable standby servers.
Backup and Recovery Solutions
In addition to the availability solutions above, good backup and recovery solutions for SQL server are essential, particularly as the size of your data grows. We can implement backup plans for traditional tape backup systems and autoloaders, and backup to online systems, such as disk-based backup or remote backup services to ensure you always have a backup file close at hand.
We can also offer assitance in recovery scenarios, by providing anything rapid-build service where a whole new SQL server is required, to side-by side data recovery where individual rows need recovering.
Reporting Services
Reporting services is a powerful feature of SQL Server that is often overlooked for alternatives such as client-side reports, Crystal Reports, and even Excel. However, we think Reporting Services represents the most extensible reporting solution available on SQL server if you know how to get the most out of it. If you require a reporting solution, or your current reports aren't up to scratch, talk to us about SQL Server Reporting Services today.
Features of Reporting Services:
- On demand and scheduled subscription based delivery of reports.
- Export to a variety of formats, including Acrobat PDF, Excel and Word.
- View reports in a web browser.
- Active directory integrated security.
- Edit report definitions in Visual Studio, or give users the ability to create their own reports in a controlled environment using a simple web-based editor.
- Reports can include datasets from other sources, including DotNet classes.
- Licensed with SQL Server (depending on version).
- Full integration with SharePoint
- NEW - Extend SharePoint and SQL Reporting with Microsoft Performance Point - free to Enterprise Licence holders!
Data Migration Services
If you are moving from a legacy or proprietary system, or merging data from other sources, we can offer you design and support services for data migration and transformation packages. We can design these for one-off scenarios, or as part of a regular import/export routine, putting in place the necessary security and transfer protocols for moving data between systems. This is an area where our SQL development crosses with our consultancy and infrastructure roles.