DBAs Look To The Future PASS Survey On Trends in Database Administration

DBA’S LOOK TO THE
FUTURE: PASS SURVEY

ON TRENDS IN DATABASE
ADMINISTRATION
By Joseph McKendrick, Research Analyst

Produced by Unisphere Research,
a Division of Information Today, Inc.
January 2020
Sponsored by Produced by
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary ��3
The Data Landscape ��4
Data In The Cloud ��12
Performance Issues ��17
Demographics ��22
DBA’S LOOK TO THE FUTURE: PASS SURVEY ON TRENDS IN DATABASE ADMINISTRATION was produced by Unisphere Research in partnership with Professional Association
for SQL Server (PASS) and sponsored by Quest. Unisphere Research is the market research unit of Unisphere Media, a division of Information Today, Inc., publishers of Database Trends
and Applications magazine and the 5 Minute Briefing newsletters. To review abstracts of our past reports, visit www.unisphereresearch.com. Unisphere Media, 121 Chanlon Road, New
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Clearly, the momentum for Microsoft SQL Server The key findings of the study include the following:
environments is moving toward the cloud. Microsoft has
been actively promoting and supporting its Azure SQL data n SQL Server environments have a wide reach and, in one-
platform, for example, which is intended to help Microsoft-based third of cases, are supporting mission-critical enterprise
enterprises lift and shift their existing applications to create applications. Managing these environments is challenging,
modern cloud services. with growing data volumes and performance concerns
While these are still early days for cloud databases, a majority constrained by tight budgets.
of Microsoft SQL Server sites now employ at least some data
assets in the cloud, with more on the way in the future. Data n Cloud is rapidly becoming commonplace at SQL Server
managers moving data and database functions to the cloud environments—a majority now manage enterprise data,
are spending less time with administrative functions, such as with more coming onboard. Enterprise cloud is relatively
performance management and provisioning. immature—most data is still managed and stored on premise,
These are some of the findings from a new survey taken and most data managers have relatively little experience with
by 312 database managers, all members of PASS, the world’s cloud management. Many of the issues faced with on-premise
largest community of data professionals leveraging the Microsoft databases—particularly performance and maintenance
data plaform. The survey, conducted by Unisphere Research, a issues—are minimized when the move to cloud is made.
division of Information Today, Inc., in partnership with Quest
Software, captured the viewpoints of respondents from a range n When it comes down to what counts in database management,
of company sizes and industries, including IT services/system it’s performance, performance, performance. The challenge to
integrators, financial services, business services, government, and achieving this is the proliferation of data types, and the speed
healthcare organizations. at which data managers can bring about cloud solutions to
address increasingly complex data environments.
On the following pages are the results of this comprehensive

survey.
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
4
THE DATA LANDSCAPE
SQL Server environments have a wide reach and, in one-third of cases, are supporting mission-critical enterprise applications.
Managing these environments is challenging, with growing data volumes and performance concerns constrained by tight budgets.
Tight budgets and application issues are putting the squeeze four percent are overseeing at least two to three brands. Close
on databases, the survey shows. Close to half of the data to one-third, 31%, are running four or more different brands of
managers in the survey indicate that they are challenged with cost databases within their enterprises (see Figure 6).
and budgetary resources, as well as slow application performance. There are multiple reasons for using multiple database
Increasing data volumes also are creating headaches for data platforms within an organization, of course. Many enterprises
managers (see Figure 1). have a multitude of applications, either brought in by individual
Database managers in the survey report a wide range of departments, or the result of mergers and acquisitions. For
databases under management. More than one-fourth, 27%, example, an enterprise may have four to five separate ERP
oversee more than 100 databases, while at the lower end, 36% systems—or even more. More than three-fourths of data
manage a handful (see Figure 2). In one-third of the cases in managers cite their diverse application portfolios as the
this survey, a majority of the databases managed are considered justification for maintaining multiple database types in their
mission-critical to their enterprises (see Figure 3). organizations. Similarly, four in 10 need to support multiple
While there has been speculation that automation and cloud departments, which likely have adopted and grown their own
will be diminishing the roles or tasks of DBAs, the professionals separate environments (see Figure 7).
are not going away anytime soon. Three-fourths of respondents Data managers in this survey report a wide scope of relational
indicate that the number of DBAs in their organizations is either database instances running in their organizations. One in five
growing or holding steady (see Figure 4). (20%) have 100 or more instances onsite, and another 27%
As expected, the vast majority of enterprises represented in support between 25 and 100 (see Figure 8).
this survey are Microsoft SQL Server shops, cited by 93%. Oracle With all these database instances, DBAs are kept very busy.
also has a fairly significant presence as well, with 41% running an At least one in 10 DBAs is responsible for 100 or more database
Oracle version on-premise (see Figure 5). instances, the survey shows. Another 21% report a ratio of one
At the same time, the vast majority of data managers in this DBA to between 25 and 100 database instances (see Figure 9).
survey use multiple database brands, the survey shows. Eighty-
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
5
Figure 1: Database Management Challenges
Costs and budgetary resources 49%
Slow application performance 49%
Increasing volume and variety of data 47%
Integration between diverse platforms 44%
Skills requirements 44%
Historical analysis 39%
Integration between cloud

37%
platforms/services
Lack of visibility into database health 36%
Increasing volumes and variety of data 32%
Increasing number of platforms 30%
Other 1%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
6
Figure 2: Number of Databases Managed
Don’t know/unsure 4%
100 or more 27%

Fewer than
10 37%
50–99 7%
May not add up to 100%

due to rounding
10–49 26%
Figure 3: Percent of Databases Considered Mission-Critical to Enterprises
More than 50% 32%
26–50% 25%
10–25% 19%
Fewer than 10% 18%
0 20 40 60 80 100
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7
Figure 4: Changes in DBA or Equivalent Staffing
Don’t know 8%
Increasing 18%
Decreasing 16%

due to rounding Steady 57%
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
8
Figure 5: Relational Database Management System

Platforms/Brands Running on Premise
Microsoft SQL Server 93%
Oracle 41%
MySQL 36%
IBM DB2 14%
MariaDB 12%
PostgreSQL 23%
SAP Sybase ASE 11%
Teradata 4%
Other 7%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
9
Figure 6: Number of Database Management Brands Supported
1 16%
2–3 53%
More than
5 15%

due to rounding 4–5 16%
Figure 7: Most Important Reasons for Using Multiple Database Platforms
Supporting multiple applications 77%
Supporting multiple departments 41%
Supporting multiple workloads 34%
Supporting unstructured data growth 31%
Managing database licensing 29%

and support costs
Supporting increasing data volumes 27%
Avoiding vendor lock-in 17%
Not Applicable 8%
0 20 40 60 80 100
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Figure 8: Number of Relational Database Instances Running in Organizations
More than 500 12%
101–500 8%
26–100 27%
11–25 14%
2–10 28%
1 1%
Don’t know 11%
0 20 40 60 80 100
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Figure 9: Number of Database Instances Per DBA
More than 500 3%
101–500 8%
26–100 21%
11–25 16%
2–10 34%
1 1%
Don’t know 18%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
12
DATA IN THE CLOUD
Cloud is rapidly becoming commonplace at SQL Server environments—a majority now manage enterprise data, with more
coming onboard. Enterprise cloud is relatively immature—most data is still managed and stored on-premise, and most data
managers have relatively little experience with cloud management. Many of the issues faced with on-premise databases—
particularly, performance and maintenance issues—are minimized when the move to cloud is made.
Microsoft’s Azure SQL platform is intended to work both as data volumes will grow significantly, meaning greater than
a full-fledged alternative, or as an adjunct to on-premise SQL 25%. For 27%, this growth will be extremely high, exceeding
Server databases, supporting physical on-premise machines, 50% of their total data assets. There has been plenty of focus on
private cloud environments, third-party hosted private cloud cloud computing, and the growth rates seen in enterprise cloud
environments, and the public cloud. Many Microsoft enterprises adoption. As shown in this survey report, the vast majority of
are embracing this hybrid approach as they begin their Microsoft enterprises is embracing cloud in some capacity and
cloud journeys. will continue to accelerate their adoption. However, that doesn’t
Currently, a majority of data managers, 51%, manage data in necessarily mean on-premise environments are shrinking. On
the cloud, the survey finds, with more intending to move in this the contrary, close to half of on-premise databases, 44%, will
direction (see Figure 10). Among those not yet in the cloud, one- keep growing significantly—growing at a rate greater than 25%.
third indicate they will be moving to the cloud within the coming For 15% of respondents, the growth rate for their on-premise
year (see Figure 11). environments will exceed 50% over the next 3 years—keeping
At the same time, enterprise data in the cloud is still a relatively pace with the growth rate for cloud computing deployments
new phenomenon. Seven in 10 data managers, 70%, say they have (see Figure 14).
2 years or less experience with managing enterprise data in the Why move data to the cloud? Reasons vary. Flexibility tops the
cloud (see Figure 12). list as a primary motivation to manage at least some enterprise
While a majority report having at least some enterprise data data in the cloud, as cited by respondents (see Figure 15).
in the cloud, these are still relatively early days for cloud data. By Many of the issues faced with on-premise databases are
a wide margin, most data remains in on-premise systems. At this minimized when the move to cloud is made. Only 15% of cloud
time, only 15% manage majority of their data in the cloud. The database users worry about maintenance issues, compared to
majority of respondents, 59%, say that less than one-fourth of 37% for on-premise database users. Likewise, only 24% of cloud
their data assets are cloud-based (see Figure 13). database users worry about performance, compared to 41% for
How fast do data managers anticipate the volume of enterprise on-premise database users (see Figure 16).
data under management in the cloud growing over the next
3 years? More than half, 52%, estimate that their cloud-based
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13
Figure 10: Organization Currently Manage Enterprise Data in the Cloud?
No 49%
Yes 51%
Figure 11: Organization Have Plans to Manage Enterprise Data in the Cloud?
(Among organizations with no cloud implementations)
Don’t know/ Yes, within the

unsure 27% next 6 months 13%
Yes, within the

next year 20%
No 16%
Yes, but not within

the next year 24%
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
14
Figure 12: Length of Time Managing Enterprise Data in the Cloud
More than 4 years 9%

Less than 1year 25%
2–4 years 21%
1–2 years 45%
Figure 13: Percentage of Data Managed in the Cloud
More than 75% 8%
50%–75% 7%
25%–50% 18%
10%–25% 17%
0–10% 42%
0 20 40 60 80 100
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15
Figure 14: Data Growth Over Next 3 Years
More than 100% 7% 5%
51%–100% 20% 10%
26%–50% 25% 29%
11%–25% 21% 28%
Less than 10% 15% 10%
Don’t know/unsure 12% 18%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Cloud On-Premise
Figure 15: Primary Reason for Managing Enterprise Data in the Cloud
Support a new use case 38%
Better manage data growth 48%
Increase flexibility 70%
Reduce licensing costs 38%
Reduce support costs 32%
Other 8%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
16
Figure 16: Where DBAs Spend the Most Time

(Reporting spending >25% of their day)
Database development (data modeling, 33% 35%

programming, deploying code to production, etc.)
Data quality 24% 24%
Configuration (i.e., adding features,

patching, upgrading, etc.)
16% 24%
Performance (system and data availability,

diagnostics, optimizing and tuning, etc.)
24% 41%
Change Management (deploying 22% 27%

schema changes, etc.)
Education (training data analysts,

modelers, coders etc.)
18% 11%
Maintenance (backup, alerts, integrity

15% 37%
checks, defragmentation, etc.)
0 20 40 60 80 100
Cloud On-Premise
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
17
PERFORMANCE ISSUES
When it comes down to what counts in database management, it’s performance, performance, performance. The challenge to
achieving this is the proliferation of data types, and the speed in which data managers can bring about cloud solutions to address
increasingly complex data environments.
What are the most important metrics by which data managers System performance is another significant issue – ranking third
measure the performance of their databases? System performance among the list of concerns in the near-future (see Figure 19).
ranks as the top metric, cited by seven in 10 managers. A related The growth of data environments through initiatives such
metric— system uptime—is another important measurement of as IoT and AI—and its increasing importance to organizational
the performance of their data environments, according to 48% of strategies—means managing a greater variety of data types
respondents (see Figure 17). behind the relational database management system seen with SQL
What are the most important metrics by which respondents’ Server. The variety of database types now in enterprises is the top
own work is measured? Their ability to maintain system challenge, cited by close to one-third of data managers. Skills and
performance tops the list, cited by more than half (56%) of data staffing is the second-ranked issue in today’s data environments,
managers, followed by their ability to quickly resolve issues (see experienced by 29%. The expanding roles of DBAs and data
Figure 18). managers are also expected to pose challenges. There is a need
When it comes to infrastructure, cloud and automation are to deliver more services despite shrinking budgets and DBAs are
top of mind for the future. Close to half of the data managers in being pressed to expand their database portfolios (see Figure 20).
the survey, 45%, say they will be focusing in incorporating cloud What are the top three technology trends that data managers
technologies during the next 3 years. Automation is seen as a think will have the most impact on database administration
key imitative as well, with one-third seeking to concentrate on over the next 3 years? Cloud, big data, and AI are the key issues
automating more tasks associated with database management. shaping administration (see Figure 21).
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
18
Figure 17: How Database Performance is Measured
System performance 70%
System uptime 48%
Efficiency measured in 30%

response time
Efficiency in resolving pre-production
issues such as identifying and fixing bugs 15%
Efficiency in resolving postproduction
issues such as configuration problems 15%
Project delivery time 14%

0 20 40 60 80 100
Figure 18: How DBA Performance is Measured
System performance 56%
Speed of issue resolution 48%
System uptime 43%
Adherence to Service 26%

Level Agreements
Capacity management 19%
Other 1%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
19
Figure 19: Top Data Management Infrastructure Challenges
Incorporating cloud technologies 45%
Automating more tasks associated

with database management 33%
Improving overall system performance 22%
Incorporating non-relational data

20%
management technologies
Making data available to more
17%
stakeholders
Increased complexity 17%
(heterogeneity)
Reducing costs or improving ROI 15%
Increasing overall system capacity 14%
Platform of version 13%

obsolescence/migration
Other 1%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
20
Figure 20: Top Database Administration Challenges
The need to manage new,

32%
non-relational technologies
The lack of trained personnel 29%
Shrinking IT budgets 25%
The need to manage more

25%
databases per DBA
The need to get involved in
22%
other areas of IT
Reducing costs or improving ROI 23%
Shrinking IT staffs 16%
Not having the proper database

11%
management tools
The need to train more users 9%
Other 1%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
21
Figure 21: Top Technology Trends Impacting Database Administration
Cloud 52%
Big data 41%
Artificial intelligence/
39%
machine learning
DevOps 32%
Agile development 25%
DaaS (Database as a Service) 25%
APIs 21%
NoSQL 14%
Consolidation 11%
PaaS (Platform as a Service) 10%
DataOps 8%
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) 5%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
22
DEMOGRAPHICS
Figure 22: Respondents’ Titles
Database Administrator (DBA) 24%
Programmer/Developer 16%
Data Architect 12%
Chief Information Officer/CTO/

Vice President of IT 3%
Chief Data Officer 1%
Director/Manager of IS/IT or 6%
computer-related function
Director/Manager Application Development 1%
Director/Manager Analytics 4%
Data Scientist 3%
IT Operations Manager 3%
Systems Administrator 2%
Analyst/Systems Analyst 8%
Project Manager 1%
IT Consultant 9%
Manager of a business unit 2%

(other than computer-related)
Executive management level for the business 1%
Other 4%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
23
Figure 23: Respondents’ Organizations—by Company Size
More than 10,000 employees 15%
5,001–10,000 employees 6%
1,001–5,000 employees 20%
501–1,000 employees 17%
Less than 500 employees 36%
NA 3%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.
24
Figure 24: Respondents’ Primary Industries
IT services/Consulting/
18%
System Integration
Financial Services 12%
Business Services 8%
Government (all levels) 8%
Healthcare/Medical 8%
Retail/Distribution 7%
Insurance 6%
Manufacturing 6%
Software/Application Development 6%
Utility/Telecommunications/
6%
Transportation
Education (all levels) 5%
Consumer Services 2%
Media/Entertainment 1%
Other 7%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Providence, NJ 07974; 908-795-3702.

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DBA’S LOOK TO THE

FUTURE: PASS SURVEY

By Joseph McKendrick, Research Analyst

On the following pages are the results of this comprehensive

THE DATA LANDSCAPE

Figure 1: Database Management Challenges

Costs and budgetary resources 49%

Slow application performance 49%

Increasing volume and variety of data 47%

Integration between diverse platforms 44%

Skills requirements 44%

Historical analysis 39%

Integration between cloud

Lack of visibility into database health 36%

Increasing volumes and variety of data 32%

Increasing number of platforms 30%

Figure 2: Number of Databases Managed

100 or more 27%

May not add up to 100%

Figure 3: Percent of Databases Considered Mission-Critical to Enterprises

More than 50% 32%

Fewer than 10% 18%

Figure 4: Changes in DBA or Equivalent Staffing

May not add up to 100%

Figure 5: Relational Database Management System

Microsoft SQL Server 93%

IBM DB2 14%

SAP Sybase ASE 11%

Figure 6: Number of Database Management Brands Supported

May not add up to 100%

Figure 7: Most Important Reasons for Using Multiple Database Platforms

Supporting multiple applications 77%

Supporting multiple departments 41%

Supporting multiple workloads 34%

Supporting unstructured data growth 31%

Managing database licensing 29%

Supporting increasing data volumes 27%

Avoiding vendor lock-in 17%

Figure 8: Number of Relational Database Instances Running in Organizations

More than 500 12%

Don’t know 11%

Figure 9: Number of Database Instances Per DBA

More than 500 3%

Don’t know 18%

DATA IN THE CLOUD

Figure 10: Organization Currently Manage Enterprise Data in the Cloud?

Don’t know/ Yes, within the

Yes, within the

Yes, but not within

Figure 12: Length of Time Managing Enterprise Data in the Cloud

More than 4 years 9%

2–4 years 21%

1–2 years 45%

Figure 13: Percentage of Data Managed in the Cloud

More than 75% 8%

Figure 14: Data Growth Over Next 3 Years

More than 100% 7% 5%

51%–100% 20% 10%

26%–50% 25% 29%

11%–25% 21% 28%

Less than 10% 15% 10%

Don’t know/unsure 12% 18%

Support a new use case 38%