Download s can improve data access in the enterprise.

How DBA’s can improve data access in the
enterprise, unlock value and boost
productivity.
Overview
Improving access to enterprise data can unlock value and boost productivity in IT
organizations. Current desktop based database client applications are not designed for
today’s agile and distributed IT teams.
This white paper looks at one way DBAs can roll out significantly more powerful data
access functionality at an affordable cost.
Access to data is critical for a wide variety of users within the enterprise with different
skill sets. Developers need access with advanced SQL capabilities. Quality Analysts need
to verify data validity in non-production data sources. Business teams need access to
timely reports to control and fine tune business operations. Customer support staff need
simplified and speedy access to data as they rush to meet client demands.
Table of Contents
Overview ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Legacy Desktop Database Client ...................................................................................................... 3
Basic Row Based Record Retrieval .................................................................................................... 3
Sharing: Designed for yesterday ....................................................................................................... 3
SQL Knowledge Required ................................................................................................................. 3
Security .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Key Features to meet today’s needs...................................................................................................... 4
1.
Web Based Database Portal ...................................................................................................... 5
2.
One Enterprise Wide Setup....................................................................................................... 6
3.
Holistic View .............................................................................................................................. 7
4.
Holistic View Example............................................................................................................... 8
5.
Collaboration ............................................................................................................................. 9
6.
Natural Search ..........................................................................................................................10
7.
Data Visualization .................................................................................................................... 11
8.
Schema Browser ........................................................................................................................ 12
9.
Added Security .......................................................................................................................... 13
Summary............................................................................................................................................... 14
The Limitations of Traditional Tools
Legacy Desktop Database Client
•
Current Database clients are desktop products that need to be installed for each user
in the enterprise.
•
Database credentials have to be shared with every user needing access to the database.
•
DBAs end up spending considerable effort to keep the entire user base in sync with
database additions and updates.
Basic Row Based Record Retrieval
•
Current Database clients support basic row based retrieval of records.
•
Simple row based retrieval is no long sufficient to handle complex databases with
hundreds of tables.
•
Users end up spending considerable time writing and executing multiple SQL queries
before that can get to the data they need.
Sharing: Designed for yesterday
•
Current Database clients do not support easy sharing of queries or results.
•
Users have to manually share SQLs with no way to share a single record and results
directly.
•
Knowledge sharing within the enterprise is restricted.
SQL Knowledge Required
•
Legacy database clients require SQL knowledge to query the database.
•
No intuitive ability to search the schema for tables and columns.
Security

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DBAs cannot restrict user level database access as credentials can get passed around
the enterprise.
DBAs end up creating read-only credentials for user desktop access.
Any database credential changes have to propagated to hundreds of dependent client
applications.
Key Features to meet today’s needs.
 One unified data view across the enterprise so everyone is talking the same
language.
 As databases get more complex, users need efficient access to the data.
 Support easy collaboration for fast paced teams distributed across the globe.
 Support data access to users with different skill and frequency of usage.
 Support Non SQL access to the data to increase the data usage.
 Easy data visualization to extract and share business value.
 Enhanced security and monitoring support.
1. Web Based Database Portal

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Distributed IT staff in different facilities and even different countries need one unified
portal to query, view and share the database data.
See a boost in productivity as the typical IT Team can research and find solutions at
least 50% faster than traditional desktop Database client applications.
Home screen access to SQL Query, Natural Search, Recent Queries, Schema Browser,
etc..
We at DBrow, have decades of IT experience at Startups and all the way to Fortune
10 companies. We decided to develop this solution at our own frustration with
existing database tools that are so cumbersome and rudimentary.
We set out to build a simple and smart solution that understands the underlying
database schema to deliver functionality that will make data access as painless as
possible. Our tool is designed to make data accessible to users of different skill and
usage levels.
Please give it a try and please share your feedback (more valuable than you can ever
imagine.).
2. One Enterprise Wide Setup
 You just need one single setup to allow read-only database access across the
enterprise.
 Simple zip file installation on any Linux/Windows server with Java installed.
 Database connections and user access can be setup from the admin screens.
 Supported Databases: Oracle, SQLServer, MySQL(Variants including AWS
Aurora), postgreSQL.
 Note: This is not a replacement for Database Administration applications
with advanced functions like: Updating schema, Creating databases,
Replication, Backups etc.
 If you are on AWS, you can use the one-click installation from the AWS
marketplace.
3. Holistic View
 Holistic view is about showing the entire information about a record not
just one single row.
 The view noted above is an expanded single record view.
 Use the Related Records icons to jump to parent, child and other related
records.
 Enumeration tables directly show the value, No additional queries needed.
 Easy links to view the schema of the table.
 Quick pop ups show the first 5 columns of a related record.
 SQL queries generated behind the scene, so you can focus on the business at
hand.
 Simplifies complex data structures, understanding and solving issues
becomes much easier.
 Get comfortable, finding your data does not have to be a pain.
4. Holistic View Example
•
For example in an ecommerce Application like Magneto, there are over 350
tables and 5000 relations.
•
To understand the price on a quote, the user has to join over 6 tables to get
to the data...
•
Database schemas are becoming more complex with additional columns and
tables with each release. We need tools that can keep up and reduce data
access complexity…
Click away...
•
With DBrow, A simple natural search like “quote=73” and then click away to
get to the data.
•
SQL queries are generated behind the scenes.
•
This opens up the data to all users who need it, No need to always depend
on advanced SQL users.
5. Collaboration
•
Busy IT Teams need tools that promote teamwork and collaboration to get the job
done.
•
Database records can be shared via friendly URLs. Sent by email, attached to a
ticket etc.
•
Common enterprise SQLs can be saved and used by all users. This helps the
enterprise preserve and share knowledge.
•
URLs can be directly manipulated to get a different record, for example a different
order.
•
For example a DBA can save a complex query to find all stuck orders for the last
24hrs. The customer support staff can access that data via a direct URL and take
the required actions.
6. Natural Search
•
Natural search like ’order=1234 ’or ’sku like m6789’, SQL queries are built for you
on the fly.
•
The system identifies the most critical tables and columns, to build the most
efficient queries.
•
Data will be accessible to users with different skill sets.
•
This search can also be used to find columns and tables in the schema.
•
For example a search for ‘email’ will find all the columns that have ‘email’ as
part of the name. That could entries in the customer, employee, billing tables…
7. Data Visualization
Super easy data visualization: your favorite queries can be viewed and shared as
graphs.
Data Visualization in 3 easy steps.
1. Create and run your SQL query.
2. Save the query for sharing.
3. View the shared query as a pie/line/bar graph.
The graph URL can be easily shared and viewed with ease...
Today’s data driven companies need access to trends and
insights faster than ever before…
8. Schema Browser
Easy to use Schema browser, understanding and solving issues becomes
much easier.
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List of tables for the connected database.
List of columns and types for a table.
List of keys and indexes for each table.
Number of records and related tables for each table.
Easy way to search for a specific table or column across the entire schema.
Jump to parent and child table schema with ease.
9. Added Security
 Administrators will love only having to setup one application for readonly database access across the enterprise.
 Security trace: Administrator can view logs to trace query activity, every query
and result size is logged.
 Fine grained user access control to their specific department and environment
databases etc.
 One place to define all Database Connections and Users.
 And optional setup of Roles, Groups and Privileges for more fine grained
control.
 Database credentials do not have to be shared with every user needing access to
the database.
 Just one place to sync when new database get added or modified.
Summary
Give your IT colleagues a web based database portal to query, view, and share data
in your relational databases. It works great with SQL Server, MySQL, Aurora,
Oracle and postgreSQL databases. Developers will love the holistic data display
with easy access to parent, child and related records. This simplifies complex data
structures, understanding and solving issues becomes much easier. Business users
will enjoy the natural language search to find records, tables and columns without
any SQL knowledge. IT administrators will appreciate the added security and
simplified database server and credential maintenance, without having to update
hundreds of dependent desktop browser applications. All users can save and share
their favorite queries; enterprise knowledge is shared and preserved. Create and
share graphs for super easy data visualization.
Please visit http://www.dbrow.com.
DBrow on the AWS Marketplace:
https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/B013UOPY4Y/ref=_ptnr_web_wpdba_