The pros and cons of DBaaS-Database as a Service
DBaaS allows you to test various solutions and purchase only the licenses and hardware you need to be successful.
Almost all companies these days focus on data. Whether the data is for internal applications and systems, or for other services on offer, let’s face it …
Data management is the key to success.
Before listing the pros and cons of DBaaS, we need to explore some decisions that companies must make.
These include numerous quick data handling decisions that can put you on a path that, if wrong, is difficult and costly to correct. Those decisions are:
What kind of database to use, SQL or NoSQL?
What are the data storage and query needs? Transactional? Big Data?
What database system to use? Some SQL options can be Oracle, MySQL, MSSQL, and Sybase. Some options without SQL can be MongoDB or Cassandra.
· Do we have talent DBA (database administrator) or do we have to hire?
What type of server or resources are needed? What are my power, server, disk, compute, network, and IO requirements?
How do I maintain, backup, manage, and own the database framework?
What is my cost of ownership?
First, let’s explore what kind of database to use, SQL or NoSQL.
Traditional database types classified as SQL have an important place in business and are a mainstay for business decisions. However, as companies begin to build decision-driving applications based on meaningful database analysis of nearly fathomless large amounts of data, they migrate to NoSQL solutions such as MongoDB or Cassandra.
The NoSQL architecture makes it a good choice for big data solutions, while the built-in protections of a transaction-based system like Oracle make it a better choice for banking or similar solutions.
When it comes to choosing a specific system, companies tend to stick to what they know. In other words, if they already have Oracle and the talent of Oracle, when management asks those people which database system they should use in Project X, it should come as no surprise that they choose Oracle.
Matching a specific database system to a set of business requirements is an arduous task that must always be viewed from a fresh perspective. It should not be based solely on the talent that is already employed or the systems with which a company is comfortable.
Let’s face it, if a company chooses correctly, everything is fine. If they make the wrong choice, they have wasted a lot of resources, which equates to dollars. Enter DBaaS.
Where DBaaS excels is that it gives companies the ability to test the waters a bit, to test before investing a lot.
DBaaS acts as a stepping stone to total ownership, a cost-effective solution to help you determine your needs before making large investments.
DBaaS has pros and cons.
First, it is necessary to distinguish between “hosting database systems” and DBaaS.
There are many cloud-based solutions that “host” a database system, but do not provide significant help in setting up, tuning, consulting, and sourcing the talent needed to use those systems.
True DBaaS provides both the system and the talent to help you use the database and determine how to store, query, and analyze your data. The value of DBaaS goes beyond hosting.
The advantages of DBaaS include:
· No equipment or software licenses.
· Flexibility. There are several options available to test your applications and choose the right platform for your business requirements.
· Significantly lower staffing needs. The DBaaS provider handles installation, configuration, and in many cases development.
· External housing, which provides protection against power failures or local disasters. Many companies design their system with power redundancy in mind, but in reality, they rarely meet those goals.
SLA agreements that have redundancy, uptime, and backup protections. A DBaaS provider intends to focus on protecting your data.
Meanwhile, the downsides of DBaaS include:
Limited access to underlying servers. This can present as a feeling of lack of control.
Very little knowledge of how your data is protected from cybersecurity threats. This can be dangerous for sensitive data.
So how do you decide? Is there a transition from one to the other? Yes, almost always, but by following a few guidelines to get started, DBaaS can be used correctly.
Those who wish to use DBaaS must adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Perform all development using DBaaS. This is your chance to test different architectures and features.
2. Unless you have full disclosure of how your data is protected, managed and secured by DBaaS providers, it is suggested to consult with database architects to host sensitive data internally. Note that this is generally not big data. When we use the terms confidential data, we mean that. Data such as SSN, account details, finances, personal data, etc. Does this mean you can’t use DBaaS for this? No, it means that you have to find a DBaaS provider first that will show you everything from how your encrypted data gets into your system to storage, access, etc.
3. When you are not sure what your database needs really are, use DBaaS first. This allows you to test SQL or NoSQL. This allows you to explore the encryption capabilities of Oracle versus MySQL. Think of DBaaS like buying a car. Try driving sedans, trucks and SUVs, and try different manufacturers and features. You can decide to rent or buy.
4. Always monitor and evaluate the cost of ownership. As your system grows, operational costs may make sense to eliminate DBaaS and build an internal system. By then, however, you will have decided what you really need.
The goal of DBaaS is to test various solutions and buy only the licenses and hardware you need to be successful. Then you can hire the right talent to manage your system.