DBaaS allows you to try multiple solutions and buy only the licenses and hardware you need to be successful.

Almost every business these days is data-centric. Whether the data is for internal applications and systems, or for other services offered, let’s face it…

Data management is the key to success.

Before we list the pros and cons of DBaaS, we need to explore some decisions that businesses need to make.

These include numerous quick data handling decisions that can set you down a path that, if wrong, is difficult and costly to correct. Those decisions are:

What type 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 DBA (database administrator) talent or do we have to hire?

· What kind of server or resources are needed? What are my power, server, disk, compute, network, and I/O requirements?

How do I maintain, backup, manage and own the database framework?

What is my cost of ownership?

Let’s first explore what type 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 options. However, as companies begin to build applications that make decisions based on meaningful database analysis of vast, almost unfathomable amounts of data, they migrate to NoSQL solutions like MongoDB or Cassandra.

NoSQL’s 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 with what they know. In other words, if they already have Oracle and Oracle talent, then when management asks them 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 should always be viewed from a fresh perspective. It should not be based only on the talent that is already employed or the systems that a company is comfortable with.

Let’s face it, if a company chooses correctly, all is well. If they choose incorrectly, they have wasted a lot of resources equivalent to dollars. Enter DBaaS.

Where DBaaS excels is that it gives companies the ability to test the waters a bit, to test before investing heavily.

DBaaS acts as a stepping stone to full ownership, a cost-effective solution to help you determine your needs before making a large investment.

DBaaS has pros and cons.

First of all, it is necessary to distinguish between “hosted database systems” and DBaaS.

There are plenty of cloud-based solutions that “host” a database system, but don’t provide significant help with the configuration, tuning, consulting, and 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 far beyond hosting.

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 requirements. The DBaaS provider handles installation, configuration, and in many cases, development.

· External hosting, providing protection against local power outages or 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 disadvantages 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 successfully.

Those who wish to use DBaaS must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Do all development using DBaaS. This is your chance to try out different architectures and features.

2. Unless you have a full disclosure of how DBaaS vendors protect, manage, and secure your data, it is suggested to consult with database architects to host sensitive data internally. Note that this is not usually big data. When we use the terms sensitive data, we mean just that. Data like SSN, account details, finances, personal details, etc. Does this mean you can’t use DBaaS for this? No, it means that you first need to find a DBaaS provider that will show you everything from how your encrypted data enters your system to storage, access and so on.

3. When you’re 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. You test drive sedans, trucks, and SUVs, testing different manufacturers and features. You can decide to lease or buy.

4. Always monitor and evaluate the cost of ownership. As your system grows, the operational costs may make sense to abandon DBaaS and build an in-house system. By then, however, you will have already decided what you really need.

The goal with DBaaS is to try multiple solutions and buy only the licenses and hardware you need to be successful. You can then hire the right talent to manage your system.