SQL Server Case Study

Established in 1972, the port’s primary business is offloading foreign crude oil from tankers, and storing and distributing the inventory to refineries throughout the Gulf Coast and Midwest. As the single largest point of entry for crude oil coming into the U.S., the client must serve its customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CHALLENGE

With significant SQL server infrastructure including a custom Oil Management System, internal SharePoint and various third-party applications, the client needed a strategic partner who could serve as an extension of its IT team to: Set up and review its disaster recovery solution, SQL Server maintenance plans, administrative auditing and basic SQL Server performance Develop centrally managed and automated backups and SQL Servers to address critical issues quickly and effectively Build consistent SQL database index maintenance plans and integrity checks for all staff  

SOLUTION

Using a checklist-based approach, Sparkhound met with senior staff to review all production SQL Servers and bring all systems up to SQL Server service pack level for long-term success. Built custom-developed SQL scripts that work alongside the enterprise backup software for backup redundancy and automated maintenance plans for the client’s Oil Management System Implemented auditing and custom-developed SQL Server Traces to fulfill government standards Trained system administrators and developers on SQL Server best practices  

IMPACT

By utilizing Sparkhound’s SQL Server consultant, the client received a Microsoft-certified expert who understood the complexity of the client’s mission-critical data, ensured all disaster recovery and security auditing requirements were met, and delivered a seamless knowledge transfer post-implementation.