Effective Maintenance and Practical Solutions

The databases SQL Server are essential for many companies, managing key information in a structured and efficient way. However, they require constant maintenance to avoid serious problems such as downtimes, data corruption and underperformanceIn this article, we will explore best practices, common mistakes, and solutions to keep your stability of your operations and the integrity of your data.

The risks of a poorly maintained database

Neglecting to maintain SQL Server databases can increase the risks of serious errors and downtime.

Example:
A client of ITCS VIP experienced disruptions in its billing system due to fragmented indices that had not been verified for more than six months. This resulted in two hours of downtime, financial losses and operational delays.

The fragmented indexes can slow down queries by up to 70%, directly affecting productivity.

Key elements of preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance includes essential activities such as:

• Rebuilding indexes: Improves query performance.
• Statistics Update: Maintains the accuracy of the query optimizer.
• Integrity Check: Detects and corrects structural problems.
• Cleaning up transaction logs: Free up space and optimize performance.

Case study:
An online store managed by ITCS was facing excessive resource usage due to fragmented indexes and outdated statistics. With a maintenance plan, the loading speed and transaction processing improved significantly.

Efficient query design

Poorly structured queries, such as those that do not use indexes or query entire tables, can bog down the system.

Example:
ITCS helped optimize a query that was taking over a minute to execute. The solution included:

• Create a Composite Index.
• Rewrite the query to reduce its execution time to less than three seconds.

Solutions to common errors

Filling out the Transaction Log

This problem occurs when proper maintenance is not performed and can leave the database inoperative.

• Solution: Set up automatic truncation tasks and choose the appropriate recovery model.
• Case: A historical data company implemented a simple recovery model to quickly free up space.

Data corruption

Corruption can be detected and corrected with DBCC CHECKDB, a critical tool in SQL Server.

• Example: A healthcare company prevented the loss of critical data by integrating this tool into its weekly maintenance routine.

Tools and strategies to facilitate maintenance

• SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): Ideal for monitoring performance and scheduling automatic tasks.
• Azure Data Studio: Excellent for companies that integrate cloud solutions.
• PowerShell: Automate tasks such as backups and index rebuilds, reducing the risk of manual errors.

Success stories and lessons learned

Case 1: Logistics company

With slow response times due to index fragmentation, ITCS implemented an automated maintenance plan.

• Results: Reducing response time by one 60%, better user experience and increased productivity.

Case 2: Financial institution

Following a ransomware attack, ITCS restored the database thanks to a solid backup system.

• Lesson: A well-structured backup plan is essential to protect business data.

Database maintenance SQL Server guarantees the performance, stability and security of your systems. A proactive approach prevents errors and improves operational efficiency.

In ITCS VIP We offer customized solutions to keep your systems in optimal condition.
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