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Database-as-a-service? What is it's meaning and how can we benefit from it?!It sounds like a mouthful, but it's an easy concept to understand.
Database-as-a-service (or DBaaS) allows you to use a database without having to manage it yourself.
This can be great for companies who want the flexibility and scalability of cloud databases while not worrying about costly maintenance and server management.
In this blog post, we'll cover how DBaaS works, the benefits of DBaaS, and why you should consider using it.
When we talk about "using" databases without actually owning them, we're talking about renting - and that process starts with signing up on the platform.
The Database itself is hosted in the cloud, so you'll need an internet connection to access it.
Most providers will provide a web-based front end that allows you to manage your account and administer your databases.
This is the "as-a-service" part of Database as a Service. Like any other service, you'll pay for what you use and won't have to worry about long-term commitments or enormous upfront costs.
Because DB as a service has no extensive hardware requirements on your end, it's also very affordable.
Database-as-a-service is an excellent solution for small businesses. It has all the benefits of a cloud database without requiring you to handle infrastructure management and maintenance yourself.
This leaves more time for your employees to focus on other aspects that matter, like growing your business.
Using Database-as-a-service, small businesses won't have to hire an entire IT department to run their databases.
They can sign up for a service like Amazon RDS or Oracle Database and focus on growing their business instead of worrying about managing servers, updating software, patching security vulnerabilities, etc.
There are some key points you need to know when choosing Database as a Service Provider.
Here are some of our top tips:
There are many different Database-as-a-service platforms available. Some of the most popular are:
Database-as-a-service has many benefits, but we'll cover a few of the most compelling:
You don't need to pay for more than you're using. If data storage and traffic increase, your monthly bill will go up too (and it will be clear how much).
This makes DBaaS ideal for companies growing rapidly or whose use varies greatly depending on what projects they're working on at any given time.
Cloud databases can cache frequently used data, meaning that your application can access information quickly.
Cloud databases are also helpful for applications that make heavy use of search functions.
Because cloud developers control the way their data is indexed, they can optimize it to speed up queries and return results.
Using a third party means you don't need to worry about maintaining complex infrastructure or having someone with extensive database expertise in-house (which could be costly).
Cloud services provide network isolation, automated backups, regular snapshots, etc., which all contribute towards making sure your valuable company data stays safe. Moreover, most providers offer encryption-at-rest as standard - so there's no risk of data loss if servers are stolen or lost by accident.
Many companies can benefit from the cost-effectiveness of cloud databases.
Not only is there no need to make a significant initial investment, but you'll also pay for what you use - and won't be tied into long-term contracts or support agreements.
First, you'll need to choose a provider and a plan. This will be a monthly subscription where you pay for what you use - there are no upfront costs or committed periods.
Once your account is set up, create users with their own login details to access the Database from remote locations over an internet connection.
You should also check that your app has been configured correctly. If not, this could cause data loss or downtime.
Finally, try using some of the providers' other available features - backups/replication, compression, etc.
These may come in handy down the line, so it's worth taking advantage of them as soon as possible.
There's no doubt that there will be more growth in the cloud database space.
Although they've been around for a little while now, most providers are still working on improving their services and expanding into new tech areas - like machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI).
Since these are still relatively new technologies, their full capabilities are not yet fully understood.
Machine learning allows for data to be analyzed using complex algorithms that can adapt over time - this will likely have a massive impact on how databases are created and managed in the future.
It's possible that AI and machine learning could lead to more personalized service (where each user has access to their own dedicated Database) or completely new databases with a different architecture.
This has made some companies hesitant to use them so far, but as data repositories become less expensive and easier to use, we expect this trend to change.
In the future, every company will be online - and they'll all need databases to store their data.
DB as a service is a huge growth area at the moment. Although it's still relatively new, more and more companies are adopting cloud databases every day - or planning to do so soon!
It can offer significant benefits in price, functionality, and reliability over traditional data storage methods.
If you're thinking about moving away from on-premise solutions, then DBaaS might be right for you too.
DBaaS is ideal for companies that are growing rapidly or have a large number of remote workers.
It's essential to do your research and have a clear idea of what you need from the service before committing.
For more information on Database-as-a-Service, click here to contact us; we'd be glad to help you out!
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