by noah | Dec 16, 2021 | Database
Have you recently implemented an online database or are in the process of implementing one? Online databases like Azure SQL will bring you to a transition point where you have to manage your database application on your own for the first time. This can be difficult, especially if you don’t have much experience managing these types of applications.
Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks that will get you started on the right path. And if you run into problems, contact your database programming expert. Arkware is always happy to address our customers’ questions and concerns!
Here are five tips and tricks that will help you manage your online database more effectively.
1. Set Up Your Database to Reflect Your Business
Whether you or a database programming company is setting up your database, make sure it reflects the needs of your business. Not only will this ensure data quality, but also your database will more easily grow with your business. Some topics to address are:
- What information will you collect?
- How will the data be structured?
- What metrics will you use to track your success?
- Is the database scalable?
- What policies and procedures will you follow?
2. Collect Only the Information You Need
Simple is better, so gather only the information you need. This will make it easier to keep your database compliant while also being responsible only for the data you need. You can always collect more information down the road, especially if you’re using your database for marketing purposes. As customers move through the funnel, you can gather more information from them.
3. Standardize Data Entry Procedures
Data entry procedures are necessary in an online database application. Having basic procedures in place will help you find the information you need quickly and efficiently. And, if your database ends up having thousands of records, you can implement new standard procedures. Also, consider how you will handle missing information.
4. Schedule Regular Reviews of Data
At least once or twice a year, you should give your database a ‘spring clean.’ This gives you a chance to identify problems with the data such as duplicate entries and missing records. These issues can cost you time and money so it’s best to stay on top of them so they don’t interfere with the quality of your data.
5. Be Smart About Database Security
Database security requires specialized security measures to keep information safe from cyberattackers. But it doesn’t start after you build your database – it starts before. Talk to your database programmer about what security practices to implement such as installing firewalls, backing up your files and keeping your database updated.
These five tips will help you transition to using an online database with ease. For help creating, implementing or managing a database like Azure SQL, contact the database experts at Arkware today.
by noah | Dec 6, 2021 | Database, Uncategorized
Azure SQL database is a relational, managed cloud database provided as part of Microsoft Azure. It is fully managed by Microsoft so all you need to do is provide the data. Everything else – the infrastructure, security, services and maintenance – are managed by Microsoft. Also included with Azure SQL are frequent and timely updates.
Thinking about migrating your objects and data from Access to Azure SQL? Below are the top five benefits to expect by making this transition.
1. No Physical Hardware
Since Microsoft hosts Azure SQL, you don’t have to worry about infrastructure costs or maintaining the server. All of this is managed on your behalf so that all you need to do is provide the data. And, as your database grows, you can upgrade your plans or add new applications without the need for additional hardware.
2. Scalable and Cost Effective
Speaking of growing your database, Azure SQL is a scalable database that can fit the needs of small and large businesses. Thanks to a flexible pricing structure, businesses can save up to 80 percent by migrating to Azure SQL. And if you start today, Microsoft is offering 12 months of free services.
3. High Speed and Minimal Downtime
When your technology can’t keep up with your business needs, you’re going to suffer downtime. But this doesn’t have to be the case when you have a database like Azure SQL. With high-availability architecture, you get high-speed connectivity and data retrieval, along with less downtime.
4. Improved Usability
If you don’t have a strong background in coding, that’s okay! Azure SQL database is easy to learn and use. Using standard SQL, you can manage your database system without having to write or update a lot of code. And, if you do end up needing a bit of help, working on Azure SQL is the same as SQL Server and will be familiar to any SQL developer.
5. Reliable and Available
Azure SQL database is managed by Microsoft and your data is spread across data centers. In fact, Microsoft’s Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for Azure services guarantee 99 percent availability. You can learn more about Microsoft’s SLAs here. Also, if you end up running into trouble, rest assured that Microsoft has 24/7 customer service.
These are just some of the benefits to expect by migrating to Azure SQL database. When you schedule a consultation with Arkware, we’ll be happy to go into more detail regarding the advantages to Azure SQL such as data loss prevention, multiple layers of security and data syncing. Contact us today to find out if Azure SQL is right for you.
by noah | Nov 19, 2021 | Database
Microsoft Access is an excellent “step up” from a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. It provides users with software tools to create and manage their business tasks, such as tracking inventory, payroll and customer transactions.
However, there are limits to Access. As your database grows and more people use it, Access may no longer be able to support your needs. For example, an Access database has a size limit of 2 GB and can’t support more than 255 concurrent users.
When it’s time for your database to move to the next solution, you can migrate to SQL Server. SQL Server supports larger amounts of data, more concurrent users and has greater capacity than the JET/ACE database engine.
Let’s learn more about SQL Server and why this may be another “next step” for your business.
What is SQL Server? What are the Benefits?
SQL Server is a relational database management system from Microsoft that was built to manage and store information. If you plan to migrate Access to SQL Server, you can still maintain the front-end Access database, giving users the same look and feel they’re used to.
The difference is that the front-end database will link to SQL Server tables on the back-end, allowing you to have a larger, more complex database with more concurrent users. The benefits to migrating to SQL Server are:
- Higher performance. SQL Server performs better than Access, especially when it comes to large databases. Also, SQL Server processes queries much faster and more efficiently, handling user requests without hesitation.
- Better security. With SQL Server, you essentially get two security systems. This is the case because SQL Server integrates with Windows system security.
- Increased availability. Having SQL Server allows you to back up the database while it’s in use. You do not have to force users to leave the database during these periods.
- More concurrent users. If you have more than 255 users using your database at a single time, you’ll need to upgrade. SQL Server can handle many more users than Access and uses far less memory when users are added.
SQL Server Options to Choose From
If you are migrating to SQL Server, you have several options to choose from: Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure VMs and SQL Server 2019. The latter is a great option for on-premise servers, and the Express edition is free. This link compares options so you can determine what features you need.
Regardless of the option you select, you can expect many useful features such as automatic updates and patches, disaster recovery, high availability and performance tuning. Azure also constantly monitors your data for threats and has multi-layered protection with built-in security controls.
If you’re ready to upgrade your Access database, contact Arkware for a consultation. We are experts in both Microsoft Access and SQL Server and can make this transition seamless for you!
by noah | Nov 17, 2021 | Database
When you split a database, it means that you reorganize it into two files. One file is the back-end database that contains the data and tables. The other file is the front-end database that contains the queries, forms and reports. Users interact with the data by using a local copy of the front-end database.
In Microsoft Access, you can split a database using the Database Splitter Wizard. This is one of the many reasons why we love Access – it makes completing tasks like these quick and easy! Once you split the database, you’ll have to distribute the front-end database to your users.
Let’s learn more about why you might want to split your database and the benefits to doing so.
Why Should I Consider Splitting My Database?
Not all databases need to be split, but it’s something to consider from an architectural point of view. By splitting your database into a front- and back-end, you can improve database performance, reduce the risk of corruption and even save money.
When you split an Access database, you create two files. The back-end database contains just the tables, while the front-end has everything else: queries, forms, macros, reports and modules. All of this can be distributed to users without giving them access to your tables.
And, with the Database Splitter Wizard, splitting a database is generally very simple. However, if you plan to split a large or more complex database, we recommend speaking with a database expert like Arkware first.
What are the Benefits of Splitting an Access Database?
There are a number of advantages to splitting your database:
- Improved performance. Split databases have significantly improved performance because only the data is sent across the network. In a database that’s not split, all of the database objects have to be sent across the network as well, not just the data.
- Greater security. Since users don’t have direct access to the tables, there’s less risk of them accidentally deleting tables or stealing data. You can also restrict front-end users from making changes to the application.
- Better reliability. Splitting your Access database reduces the risk of database corruption. If there is an issue for an individual user, it’s usually related to that user and not the database as a whole.
- Enhanced flexibility. Because each user works with a local copy of the front-end database, users can create queries, forms and other database objects without affecting other users.
Contact Arkware to Split Your Database
Think database splitting is right for your database? Contact Arkware for a consultation. If you have a small and streamlined database, you can likely split your database on your own using the Database Splitter Wizard. More complex databases can benefit from our help!
by noah | Oct 15, 2021 | Database
It can be tempting to give all employees full access to your database, but this is definitely something to avoid. The more people who have access to your data, the more at risk your data is. Just one mistake can cause you to give access to unauthorized users or those who have already left the company.
Today we are going to talk about the importance of restricting user access and privileges in order to maintain data integrity and security.
Your Role as a Database Admin: Managing User Permissions
Managing a database is more than entering in data and running queries. It also involves taking the appropriate security precautions and managing users who have access to your data. Whether your business is small or large, you likely have multiple people who will be regularly working with your data.
To protect your data, avoid giving users full access to your database. Instead, reserve root access to a few select people and then give the rest of the users their own unique permissions. One way you can do this is by creating a security architecture with a tiered and granular permission graph.
With this type of hierarchy, you’re able to give the necessary permissions to each user based on what they need to do their jobs. Even database administrators should be given varying levels of permissions. For example, you might want to give one admin full access to your database, while another admin will only have access to specific tables.
Again, users should only have access to the data they need to do their jobs. Otherwise, the integrity of your data is at risk.
What Can Happen if You Don’t Restrict Data?
Even if your data doesn’t seem to be sensitive, you should still protect it. Hackers only need a small amount of information to create havoc. Also, your business has to stay in compliance with the state and federal privacy laws. If you don’t, you could face hefty fines and a ding in your reputation.
Here are some of the things that can go wrong if you don’t limit user access:
- Accidental data exposure
- Data breaches due to negligence
- Users may see data they’re not supposed to
- Human error that can lead to database corruption
- Violation of privacy laws
Bottom line: Make sure you’re limiting and restricting user access to minimize potential misuse. Your employees only need enough privileges to do their jobs effectively.
If you need help setting up appropriate user limitations for your database, contact Arkware today. Part of being a database expert is making sure our clients’ databases are safe and secure!
by noah | Oct 5, 2021 | Database
If you’re just getting started with databases, the process of creating and managing databases can feel overwhelming. By learning a few database tips and tricks, you can improve efficiency and make your life easier.
You may also find it helpful to hire a database developer who can create and implement a database for you. This way, your database will have everything you need to be productive, and you can start working in it right away.
Below are five of our best database tips for beginners. Don’t worry – you’ll be an expert in no time!
1. SQL is the core of all relational databases.
The Structured Query Language (SQL) forms the core of all relational databases. It provides a uniform interface to SQL Server, Microsoft Access and others. All aspiring database users must learn SQL if they want to have a solid foundation in the world of databases.
So how can you learn SQL? We recommend taking an introductory course. Thankfully, it’s very easy to learn SQL, and most people pick up the basics in a few weeks or so. It will take longer to become fluent, but you’ll have the basic concepts down quickly.
2. Selecting primary keys is a big decision.
The selection of a primary key is one of the most important factors in database design. A primary key is a table column that serves a specific purpose. Each database table needs a primary key, which can have one or many columns. Number data types are the best choices for primary keys.
3. Save time by converting spreadsheets into databases.
Being new to databases, you’ve probably been using something like Microsoft Excel to store your data. Fortunately, you can convert these spreadsheets into databases and save yourself a great deal of time. All you need to do is import your spreadsheet and set up your database. If you need help, contact Arkware.
4. Not all database platforms are the same.
It’s important to know that not all database platforms are the same. There are many different platforms out there, and they all offer unique benefits. Microsoft Access, for instance, works only on Windows, while MySQL works on almost all platforms. But MySQL is just the database, whereas Access also provides tools for macros, reports and forms.
5. NULL does not mean ‘zero.’
NULL is something that often confuses users because they think it means ‘zero.’ In reality, it means ‘unknown.’ For instance, if you’re unsure of what one of your customer’s birthdates is, you could enter in NULL as the placeholder. Obviously, the customer has a birthday, you just don’t know what it is.
These five tips will help you grow more comfortable using databases. And Arkware is here to help along the way! We can create, manage and optimize your databases for the best performance. Contact us today to learn more!
