On Being a Database Facilitator
Chris Shaw wrote in with thoughts on the posting Monday about being a Database Facilitator –
"30 years ago we were just afforded the technology to watch a movie at home. If I wanted to see Star Wars more than once, my only option was to return to the theaters.
15 years ago if I wanted to listen to my choice of music I had to lug around a bunch of CD’s or even tapes if you go back another few years. 5 years ago working on a database that was not stored on a server somewhere was unheard of.
My point? The technology is moving and changing with the driving force being that of the consumer and business wanting to meet those needs or desires of the consumers. Businesses now are starting to understand that the golden age of the putting something for sale on the internet does not mean you are going to make a few million dollars. So, everyone is looking at how to save money, without impacting service. Companies are wanting to make sure that the cost per transaction is a low as it can be.
With that being said my opinion is that if you are in technology today, especially with SQL Server, you need to start making sure you understand SQL Azure. You need to understand how the cloud or cloud based technologies are going to change our careers. I am sure there will be Local SQL Server installs for many years to come. But, if you can keep your skills tied in with where the businesses are going you are sure to have a much easier time finding work for years to come. Who would have ever thought that a AS400 skilled employee would have only a few positions to choose from? The first server that I had input on, during the purchase process was a DEC Alpha chipset. Many people don’t even know what those are. If you want to look at how to keep yourself in the game, you need to make sure you stay current on how to cut costs, improve redundancy and be willing to learn something new."
While I do think it has a lot to do with technology moving forward, I think it’s a good thing. You simply MUST keep on top of technology though in terms of applying what you know as an Admin. Even in the cloud, you need to be able to understand backups, understand architecture of the systems and know how to apply technology to the new environment. I’ve talked with a number of people that moved things to the cloud so someone else could worry about it, only to find out that they still needed to administer, protect and manage that hosting environment.
You, as a DBA, bring a lot of leverage and knowledge to this.
The new stuff, the facilitator side of things, is important because users expect more, and you’re in a perfect position to deliver it with these technologies. You know how information is summarized, stored, delivered. You can provide big leverage there as well. It’s a great thing. 🙂
What do you think? Let me know…