Databases as a Service: MSPs Like FNTS Step Up

The advent and expansion of Database as a Service (DBaaS) is changing the roles of some IT professionals. MSPs are being pulled into the DBaaS business as more companies seek to offload their work to the cloud rather than expensive on-premises infrastructure. This means roles like database administrators (DBAs) are being forced to adapt.

Take, for example, First National Technology Solutions (FNTS) of Omaha, Nebraska. The cloud-centric MSP is now offering Database as a Service (DBaaS) cloud computing and managed services.

The company said the decision comes after requests from businesses who want to deploy new databases more quickly and securely while avoiding the costs associated with big infrastructure projects.

The privately-owned company says its DBaaS solutions will provide customers with 24/7 connectivity, monitoring, alerting, and technical support during routine database processes or in case of operational errors or failure. FNTS says companies will also be able to rent services, rather than investing in their own on-site hardware.

Shifting Roles

As cloud technology and the managed services that accompany it change, the role of database administrators (DBA) is evolving. Many of the tasks traditionally performed by these administrators are being eliminated by the DBaaS model, so DBA’s roles are expanding to include things like network connectivity and security.

FNTS says that by providing DBaaS solutions, it can help mitigate skill gaps that arise from these transitions.

Most major database and cloud providers are riding the DBaaS trend as well. From Microsoft Azure SQL Database to Amazon Aurora, the race is on to offer cloud-centric alternatives to traditional on-premises options lie Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server and IBM DB2. Amazon Aurora has been particularly popular as an Oracle alternative, though Oracle itself has growing DBaaS momentum.

As more customers move  those workloads to the cloud, they'll need MSPs to keep those off-premises databases humming along.