Being a DBA for an SQL Server implementation is no trivial exercise. In many cases, mission-critical business systems rely on the performance and availability of SQL Server databases. The database team is responsible for ensuring that the systems can be accessed by all who need them and that they deliver timely results. They may spend a large portion of their time on optimization efforts designed to improve the utility of their databases.
While a good deal of time may be spent in efforts to increase database performance, many more mundane functions are required to keep the systems running and at the same time maintain the integrity and safety of the data they contain. SQL Server agent offers DBAs a facility with which to streamline repetitive activities that are required to keep their databases operating efficiently.
SQL agent is a Windows service that enables many different aspects of the database and its server to be addressed by creating jobs to perform them. The jobs that are produced can make use of operating system capabilities as well as those of SQL Server itself. Using the agent is a great way to handle things like scheduling backup jobs and performing post-processing on the generated files. Very complex jobs can be built to run on-demand or scheduled to execute at regular intervals.
SQL Server jobs undoubtedly make a positive impact on the amount of daily manual intervention required of the database team. When only one or two systems are in scope, it is relatively easy for a DBA to keep track of the jobs that are running and what they are doing. As the number of SQL Server instances grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to verify that jobs are executing successfully.
The Right Tool Makes All the Difference
SQL Enterprise Job Manager can alleviate much of the complexity involved with performing maintenance tasks that use the SQL Agent, especially when multiple instances are involved. The tool supports SQL Server 2005 SP1+ through 2017 running on physical hardware as well as those living on cloud virtual machines. Its web-based architecture lets users manage SQL Server jobs from a browser on any Internet-connected computer.
There are many features built into SQL Enterprise Job Manager that make it the perfect solution for managing SQL agent jobs across the complete computing environment. Here are some of the highlights that will enhance the productivity and effectiveness of your database administrators.
Enterprise job monitoring is centralized in a single console that can be used to create, modify or delete jobs with a few clicks. The job summary presents an overview of the job schedules and their status and allows the team to drill down into specific instances by pointing and clicking. A calendar view makes it easy to view daily, weekly or monthly schedules. Jobs can be rescheduled simply by dragging and dropping in the calendar.
Managing and analyzing jobs is at the heart of this valuable database tool. A wizard facilitates job creation and makes it easy to add steps or change schedules and alerts. Custom alert thresholds can be set and email notification enables the team to be kept abreast of any issues that crop up. Trends can be analyzed to identify things like top failed, longest-running, and most frequently run jobs. Conflict resolution that takes into account factors such as available CPU cycles results in more efficient scheduling.
All told, SQL Server DBAs will enjoy the way that SQL Enterprise Job Manager makes it easier to handle the complexities of jobs running on multiple database instances. It frees up time for other pressing issues like improving response time or ensuring the systems are compliant with security standards. That’s a winning recipe for the database team and the whole IT department.