For many businesses in Kenya, keeping tabs on their databases is a full-time job.
They might have dozens of different databases for internal use, and they might also maintain separate databases for different customers or different industries.
These databases need to be connected to one another so that the data can easily flow from one system to the next.
If you are a software developer or an entrepreneur looking to grow your business, then this article is for you!
In this article, we will discuss what managed database is and whether you should outsource the management of your database.
What is a Managed Database?
Simply put, a managed database in Kenya is a database that is managed by a third party.
A managed database provider in Kenya is a database administrator who can manage your databases and help you move data between systems efficiently and securely.
This provider works for you, not against you.
If you have an internal database and you need help moving data between systems, a managed database provider can help by creating an automated data move workflow.
In fact, some managed database providers even allow you to manage your data from the cloud, which makes your data access and security the responsibility of a third party.
Why Outsource the Management of Your Database?
There are a number of advantages to outsourcing the management of your data.
The most obvious is cost, but there are a number of other benefits as well.
By outsourcing the management of your data, you can save money by not having to set up and maintain a data warehouse.
Additionally, outsourcing the management of your data allows you to focus on what you do best — data analytics — rather than managing a warehouse full of data.
And then there is the benefit of better security.
Managed service providers have security measures in place that allow you to focus on what matters — your business — instead of worrying about securing your data warehouse.
What’s the Difference between an Internal and External Managed Database?
There are two types of managed database providers: internal and external.
Internally managed database providers manage your database from within your organization. This means that they are responsible for the management, maintenance, and security of your data.
External managed database providers manage your data from a third-party location and give you access to the data via an API or other interface.
What are the Benefits of an Internal Managed Database?
There are a number of benefits to an internally managed database.
The most obvious benefit is that you can keep your data in-house. This means that you can avoid the costs associated with moving your data to another location.
Additionally, an internally managed database allows you to maintain control over your data, which is important for companies that are subject to regulatory compliance requirements.
Finally, if you choose an internally managed provider, you will have access to a number of additional services such as training and consulting services that can help improve the performance of your database.
What are the Benefits of an External Managed Database?
There are a number of benefits to using an external managed database provider. The most obvious benefit is cost savings.
External providers charge significantly less than internal providers because they do not have the overhead associated with maintaining and securing your data warehouse.
Additionally, external providers allow you to focus on what you do best — data analytics — rather than managing a warehouse full of data.
Finally, external providers offer a wide range of additional services such as training and consulting that can help improve the performance and security of your database.
Cons of Outsourcing Management of Your Database
There are some cons to outsourcing your database management, and we’ll discuss them below.
If you are not comfortable outsourcing your data, or you are not sure how much control you want over the data, then local management may be a better option for you.
- No control over data: If you outsource your data, then you don’t have control over the data itself. Any errors or inaccuracies can potentially expose your business to significant legal risk, so it is crucial that you take charge of your data. With an externally managed database, you can only ensure that the data is properly stored, but you can’t ensure that it’s safely stored.
- Limited efficiency: The biggest downside to outsourcing your database management is that you actually reduce the efficiency of your business. With an externally managed database, you are outsourcing tasks that could be done more effectively by a third party.
What Are Some Of The Use Cases Of A Managed Database?
There are a variety of use cases for managed database solutions. Some of the most popular include:
a). CRM systems
CRM systems are one of the most popular uses of managed database solutions. CRM systems are used to manage customer data and interactions. They’re used by businesses to collect information about customers, manage customer relationships, and identify potential sales leads.
b). E-commerce
E-commerce is another common use case for managed database solutions. Companies that sell products online need a way to store their customers’ information, so they can continue to provide personalized services and offers.
c). ERP systems
ERP systems are commonly used in manufacturing companies to manage inventory, production, and other business functions. These databases are often large enough that they require an external solution for management and maintenance.
d). Online gaming
Online gaming is a huge industry that relies on effective data management solutions. Gaming companies need a way to store massive amounts of player information in an efficient way so that they can easily retrieve it when necessary (for example, when players want to retrieve their login credentials).
e). Healthcare
Healthcare organizations have strict regulations around patient data privacy and security, which makes it difficult for them to store patient data locally on their own servers or computers. This is why many healthcare organizations outsource their database management needs to third parties who specialize in this type of work
What are the 4 types of databases?
There are four main types of databases:
- Relational Databases: Relational databases store data in tables and use a relational model to organize the data. The relational model consists of three tables: the “schema”, which defines the data structure, “tables”, which contain the actual data, and “relationships” that link the tables together.
- Hierarchical Database: Hierarchical databases store data in a tree-like structure and use a hierarchical model to organize the data.
- Object-oriented Databases: Object-oriented databases store data as objects and use an object-oriented model to organize the data.
- Network Databases: Network databases store information in a networked environment (such as a LAN or WAN) and use a network model to organize the data.
Wrap-Up
The best way to decide whether or not you should outsource your database management in Kenya is to carefully evaluate your requirements.
If you want to outsource your database management to save time and money, then a managed database in Kenya is the perfect solution for you.
