Query Store has been around since SQL Server 2016, but its full potential often goes untapped. Some companies were initially wary of it after some edge case problems arose during its initial rollout. However, since its initial release, Query Store has undergone numerous enhancements and is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most significant…
Read more
In banking, SQL Server isn’t just a piece of technology humming quietly in the background. It’s the backbone of customer trust, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day operations. Without it, transactions stall, reports can’t run, and auditors start asking uncomfortable questions. Yet in my conversations with CIOs and IT leaders, a common theme keeps coming up: many…
Read more
Last weekend, I hit the trails for a mountain bike ride. As I was packing my gear, it struck me how my pre-ride preparation is similar to managing our banking clients’ SQL Server environment. Both require the right tools, proper planning, and backup systems when things go wrong. The Essential Backpack: Your SQL Server Toolkit…
Read more
Updated: November 3, 2025: Missed the live event? You can now watch the full recording on our YouTube channel. Why SQL Server Maturity Matters In banking, SQL Server isn’t just a technology platform—it’s the backbone of customer trust, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience. But many institutions operate in reactive, risk-heavy environments that lead to outages,…
Read more
If you’re a new CIO at a bank or financial institution, chances are your organization relies heavily on Microsoft SQL Server. From core banking systems to regulatory data, SQL Server often holds your most critical and most targeted information. However, over time, many SQL Server environments quietly drift out of alignment with security best practices.…
Read more
SQL Server is mission-critical to your business. However, maintaining performance, reliability, security, and compliance demands ongoing attention and specialized expertise. SQL Server managed services can provide valuable support in these areas. Still, even if your technical team sees the need, it can be tough to make the business case to your CFO. Since managed services…
Read more
If disaster struck your data center right now, how quickly—and how cleanly—could your SQL Server environment recover? It’s a question too many teams avoid until it’s too late. But between rising cybersecurity threats, growing compliance expectations, and increasing reliance on real-time data, a solid SQL Server disaster recovery (DR) plan is no longer optional. Here’s…
Read more
“We’re upgrading Windows and SQL Server. Why can’t we just install the new version on top of the existing one? Why do we have to provision a new virtual machine and go through all that effort?” Whether you’re modernizing your SQL stack to meet compliance requirements, to maintain supportability, or because you want new features…
Read more
If you’re leading an IT team without a dedicated DBA, you’re not alone. Many small- to mid-sized organizations rely on a sysadmin or developer to “keep SQL Server running.” While that can work for a while, it often leaves teams blindsided when something breaks suddenly—or worse, when something breaks slowly. This is why it’s important…
Read more
Upgrading your core banking system that supports the core banking system is a major initiative that demands meticulous planning, cross-team coordination, and deep technical know-how. For banks and financial institutions, SQL Server is often the backbone of these systems. That’s why the role of a SQL Server partner during a core banking upgrade is critical.…
Read more
Recent Comments