Current setup
I learn which SQL Servers matter, who is responsible for them, and what has changed recently.
SQL Server / monthly DBA support
Monthly SQL Server DBA support
Regular senior SQL Server work for companies without full-time DBA coverage.
I check backups, restore testing, SQL Agent jobs, alerts, and recurring performance problems. I can also help prepare patches, upgrades, migrations, and availability changes.
When monthly DBA support is a good fit
This works best when SQL Server needs regular attention, but the company does not have enough database work for a full-time DBA.
01
SQL Server is important to the business. Database administration is only part of someone's job.
02
Backup checks, restore tests, SQL Agent jobs, alerts, or maintenance are being checked inconsistently.
03
The same performance problems or failed jobs keep returning after short-term fixes.
04
You have planned patches, upgrades, migrations, or availability changes and want senior DBA input before the work starts.
05
You need regular SQL Server attention. Daily database ownership stays inside the company.
What I check in the first month
The first month gives us a reliable starting point. I check the areas we agreed, deal with urgent problems that fit the scope, and set the next monthly priorities with you.
You can start with a short description of the servers and the problems you already know about.
Routine checks
I check the agreed backup history, restore testing, SQL Agent jobs, alerts, error logs, maintenance, and storage growth.
Current problems
I look at recurring failures, blocking, slow queries, recent incidents, and planned changes that need attention.
Monthly priorities
You get a short list of what I found, what I would fix first, and which larger jobs need separate planning.
What I can cover each month
The exact work changes with the priorities. Routine checks can sit beside troubleshooting and preparation for planned changes, as long as the work fits the agreed monthly scope.
Operational checks
Backups, SQL Agent jobs, error logs, storage growth, maintenance, integrity checks.
Performance work
waits, blocking, deadlocks, slow queries, query plans, indexes, statistics, tempdb.
Recovery and availability
restore testing, backup chain, RPO/RTO, Always On, failover notes, runbooks.
Planned changes
patches, CUs, upgrades, migrations, compatibility checks, rollback planning.
Communication
monthly summary, findings, decisions, what to fix first, work to plan separately.
How monthly support works
This is a custom monthly engagement. I base the scope on the SQL Servers involved, the work already handled internally, and the kind of help you expect to need.
The written agreement states pricing, response expectations, minimum commitment, and rollover. Formal 24/7 cover requires separate terms.
Scope
We agree which SQL Servers and responsibilities are included, along with the work that matters first.
Cadence
We set a practical rhythm for checks, troubleshooting, planned changes, and follow-up work.
Access
We use the least access needed for the task. Logs, monitoring data, screen sharing, or read-only access may be enough to start.
Availability
Response expectations, minimum commitment, and treatment of unused time are agreed for the engagement.
Monthly SQL Server support vs alternatives
Full-time DBA
SQL Server needs daily ownership inside the company.
Ad hoc consulting
There is one defined problem that can be handled as a contained project.
Monthly DBA support
SQL Server needs recurring senior attention while daily ownership stays inside the company.
Part-time SQL Server DBA
The company needs a defined number of DBA hours and regular involvement in ongoing work.
24/7 managed service
Formal incident response, on-call cover, and SLA-backed support are required.
What the monthly summary looks like
I keep it short. It records what I found and what I recommend doing next.
Backups
One restore test needed.
SQL Agent
Two recurring job failures.
Performance
Blocking during the reporting window.
Storage
Data file growth needs review.
Next step
Fix the job failure first, then review the backup and restore plan.
Scope and response boundaries
The monthly agreement covers the SQL Server work, communication, and response expectations we define together. You keep an internal owner for business priorities and access decisions.
24/7 incident response, guaranteed SLAs, and unlimited ticket queues require a different support agreement.
Large upgrades, migrations, recovery exercises, and other project work are estimated separately before they begin.
Infrastructure, application code, and cloud platform ownership stay with the client unless we explicitly add that work.
SQL Server checks behind the service
These guides show how I approach monitoring, maintenance jobs, backups, and restore planning. You can use them to check the current setup before contacting me.
Guide
SQL Server monitoring guide
How to check whether alerts, logs, job history, and monitoring data are useful during incidents.
Open guide
Guide
Maintenance jobs review
How to review SQL Agent jobs, CHECKDB, backup jobs, cleanup, index work, and schedules.
Open guide
Guide
SQL Server recovery guide
How to separate backup job success from restore testing, dependencies, and handback checks.
Open guide
Questions before contacting me
How much monthly SQL Server support do I need?
+
It depends on the number of SQL Servers, how often problems occur, upcoming changes, and how much database work someone already handles internally. I use the first conversation to narrow the workload before proposing a monthly scope.
What response time should I expect?
+
We agree availability and response expectations before the engagement starts. Monthly DBA support does not imply immediate or around-the-clock response.
Can unused time roll over?
+
The agreement states whether unused time rolls over and whether a minimum commitment applies. Both depend on the workload and expected availability.
Do you need production access?
+
You can contact me before arranging production access. Many checks can start with logs, monitoring data, backup history, job output, screen sharing, or read-only access. We decide what access is needed for each task.
Can monthly support start with a health audit?
+
Yes. A health audit is a useful starting point when nobody has reviewed the current setup recently or the monthly priorities are still unclear.
Is 24/7 SQL Server support included?
+
No. This service covers scheduled monthly work and the response expectations agreed for the engagement. Formal on-call cover and guaranteed SLAs require a separate agreement.
Other ways to start
Use general consulting for one defined problem, a health audit for a one-time review, or the small-company guide if you are still deciding how much DBA help you need.
SQL Server consulting
Start here when you have one defined SQL Server problem or are still deciding what kind of help you need.
Open page
Ongoing support for small companies
Read how small companies can divide routine checks, internal ownership, and outside DBA work.
Open page
Health audit
Choose a health audit when the current setup needs a defined one-time review before monthly work begins.
Open page
Book monthly DBA support
Start with a short message about what is going on and whether you are looking for regular support. I will reply with the details I need next. Credentials and sensitive system data can wait.