Database archiving software and database archiving solutions are created by some of the biggest companies in the IT world. But there has been a resonating hesitance on the part of the companies to adopt the software although news has been wild that the software can trim the fat and protect historical data present in the enterprise databases. There are some reasons mentioned for this, by analysts. The prime reasons are:
1) The benefits of database archiving have always been difficult to quantify. Those database archiving softwares which are introduced by companies are catered to large database. Burgeoning database owners can always look to shell money on hardware for backup.
2) Databases contain critical data related to the company and hence database owners are averse to exposing it to relatively unknown products.
3) Some database archiving solutions providers are unable to point out the benefits of database archiving in an effective manner. Also, they are unable to address the direct pains of different companies related to data management. Compliance issues and their future monstrous consequences if not heeded to, are not explained in detail by the vendors.
4) Firms are not usually proactive to search for characteristics they actually need from a database archiving software.
5) Storage administrators and DBAs need to understand more about the intricacies of query building and other stuff rather than just the plain benefits of database archiving software. Awareness of recalling and modifying the data along with its purging technology is needed.
6) Some database administrators and users equate database archiving to deleting data. Hence awareness should be built up at first that archiving basically relates to data being moved from production database to the archive.
7) Before database archiving solutions to be implemented in any environment, it is essential to understand the data retention policies applicable to the industry. Many vendors do not attach much importance to it, but it is essential to pinpoint the advantage of archiving for retention as it is one of the most pivotal reasons why any company will opt for database archiving.
8) It is important to note that service-level agreements (SLAs) associated with data which is archived are not like those applicable for production databases. The number of users who will have archive access should also be predetermined. Backup plans for database archives should be considered too. Because the DBAs are not well prepared or the management of the company is hesitant, the archiving process can undergo lot of difficulties.
It is vital for database archiving software vendors to address the pains and misapprehensions of database administrators and storage managers about the concept. It is only then that database archiving can be a success.