PowerDB has upgraded its data hosting service to provide a high level of security and backup protection. Data hosting is a service that has been offered by PowerDB for several years to all users of PowerDB Pro software.

There are several reasons why a user of PowerDB software might decide to subscribe to PowerDB’s data hosting services:

1. Reduce the computer hardware requirements for storing data – All test results and maintenance data captured into PowerDB are stored in a single master database file. Typically a secure network is used to store the database file and provide avenues for connection and synchronizing new results into the master database. PowerDB will provide the network and computer storage space necessary for a user’s database and all backups.

2. Eliminate the cost of upgrading to SQL Server – Depending on the amount of testing performed and other content that can be brought into the database (external documents, images, etc.) a master database may eventually become large. The maximum size of a SQL Server database can be millions of times larger than the standard Microsoft Access database, which has a maximum size of 2 gigabytes. PowerDB maintains the user’s data in a SQL Server database.

3. Minimize the level of internal IT network support – Computer hardware and SQL Server can occasionally require professional attention for both maintenance and updating. Having this expertise on staff can be costly. PowerDB has an abundance of expertise on staff to maintain its onsite hardware and software at the highest level.

4. No worrying about having adequate data backups – Frequent backups are necessary to prevent the loss of valuable data due to hardware failure or other problems. Having someone making consistent and secure backups can be a challenge depending on availability of staff due to vacations, sickness or turnover. PowerDB makes automated backups of all SQL Server databases.

5. Eliminate the cost of one PowerDB license – The PowerDB synchronization server is used for remote connection of field users to the master database when uploading their results over the Internet. A license for one copy of PowerDB must be set aside for running the sync server on the user’s network. PowerDB supplies the sync server for all hosted databases.

Server Upgrade

Databases hosted by PowerDB are now located on servers at a secure data center located in Bryan, Texas, with a redundant system located 200 miles away in the unlikely event of a local disaster. The data center provides two stages of backup power (UPS and diesel generation) to insure a high level of uptime. Internet communication to the data center is through multiple carriers and multiple fiber circuits giving PowerDB users reliable access for synchronization to their master database.

Backups of all SQL Server databases at the datacenter are made each night, along with transaction log backups which are made every 30 minutes. All backups are automatically transferred from the datacenter in Bryan to the remote backup system via secure link. In the event of a complete data loss on the primary system, data will be restored to the state at the last transaction log backup.

A major advantage of having PowerDB manage a user’s database is the quick access that PowerDB personnel will have to the database. This will allow for a fast response whenever a user reports a problem related to communication, data or test forms.

The PowerDB server for hosted databases undergoes routine maintenance every fourth Sunday of the month between the hours of 6pm and midnight.