There are many aspects of a business which can have an impact on its success, and keeping all of these in check is undoubtedly a bit of a balancing act.
As such it makes sense to get your priorities right and focus on the areas in which you can see the biggest gains for relatively minimal input.
This is where paying attention to database performance comes into play, as there are a host of advantages that a finely tuned information storage infrastructure can bring to the table. Here is an overview of the main ways in which being aware of the importance of database performance can benefit your entire organization.
Common issues can hamper productivity if they are ignored
There are a large number of different dilemmas facing database admins and the businesses they work for, from index fragmentation in SQL Server crippling performance to poorly composed queries causing excessive locking and even deadlocks.
The motivation to make amendments, carry out regular maintenance and improve performance should necessarily be tied to the idea that failing to do so will create productivity problems for employees.
For example, if team members need to use an app or service which is reliant on an underlying database to deliver the information required smoothly, slowdown will hinder their ability to get daily tasks done on time. This can generate a backlog that has a knock-on effect throughout the organization, bringing projects to a standstill, meaning deadlines are missed and generally throwing a spanner in the works.
On the other hand, if you are in tune with the advantages of monitoring and enhancing performance, your database can be a catalyst that drives your business forwards and ensures productivity continues to increase.
Customer relationships & business reputation can be strengthened
Efficient, effective data management in a well optimized database will have implications in other areas of your operations, such as the way you foster new and existing relationships with customers and also how your brand is perceived in the wider market.
When it comes to customer relationship management, it pays to be able to store information with ease and also make it available to employees on the fly so that they can respond successfully to future interactions. Solid database performance clearly has implications here, and any inconsistencies could compromise the loyalty of customers who might otherwise be compelled to stick with your business rather than looking elsewhere.
Likewise your business may supply customer-facing services, such as apps or websites, which need quick, consistent database access to perform in line with expectations. Sluggishness is unlikely to be tolerated in this tech-savvy age, and so your brand itself may suffer reputational damage due to database performance problems that remain unresolved.
Because of this you should see database performance as intrinsically tied to proactive CRM and brand reputation strategies, and also appreciate that this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the sphere of influence that your data management possesses.
Money management can improve
Lots of organizations are reliant on databases to steward their financial affairs, and also provide the infrastructure to support vital HR and payroll services.
It should be obvious by now that if performance is imperfect, then your ability to deal with both your budget and your human employees will suffer.
If you want to make your organization an attractive place to work, and you also want to avoid the complications that come with inefficient money management, then database performance should be a priority. There are lots of other advantages to this, but hopefully you now understand enough to get started.
