Embarcadero announced it is providing SQL Server developers and DBAs with a toolset designed to simplify many common and complex tasks associated with developing, administering and optimizing SQL Server databases. The new toolset, dubbed DB PowerStudio for SQL Server, combines several of Embarcadero's most popular database tools into a lower-cost studio offering.
DB PowerStudio for SQL Server is available in two editions, a Developer Edition and a DBA Edition. Both editions include tools and capabilities including Rapid SQL, an integrated development environment that simplifies SQL scripting, query building, object management and version control in live databases or offline source code repositories.
The overlapping Developer and DBA Editions reflect the converging roles of DBAs and developers in the database space, Scott Walz, senior director of product management for Embarcadero, tells 5 Minute Briefing. "We are finding situations where the lines between developer and DBA are very blurred," he says. "We¹re seeing developers that are teaching themselves to be DBAs and administering SQL Server and its databases, as well as seasoned DBAs putting on the developer hat, often because they¹re faced with limited resources. The DBA Edition of DB PowerStudio is optimal for situations like these where there¹s an overlap in the DBA and developer roles. The DBA Edition provides a complete toolset that the developer or DBA will need to get their job done, including a development environment, administration tools and performance management tools."
Both releases include DB Change Manager, a tool intended to simplify tasks such as tracking and reporting on database changes, rolling out new releases and pinpointing the cause of performance problems stemming from changes in data, schema and database configuration. It also enables test data to be masked to comply with privacy mandates.
The DBA Edition also includes a DBArtisan Workbench tool, a database administration tool that enables DBAs to work with multiple SQL Server versions and databases from a single interface. DBArtisan provides graphical editors and wizards to streamline routine tasks and reduce errors so users can manage larger, more complex databases. It also helps identify performance, capacity and storage management issues before they become problems.
DB PowerStudio for SQL Server complements the basic capabilities within Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). The tools work across multiple versions of SQL Server from the same interface. In addition, DB PowerStudio comes with Embarcadero's ToolCloud technology, which enables users to access DB PowerStudio from any Windows desktop without prior installation. It also allows organizations to track and manage license usage to minimize licensing costs and deliver tools on demand to maximize team productivity.
DB PowerStudio for SQL Server can also be extended to support other major DBMS platforms. "Each RDBMS has its own characteristics and we don¹t see any issues specific to SQL Server," Walz says.. "SQL Server professionals are challenged to maintain an optimally configured and high-performing database. It was these very challenges that let us to create DB PowerStudio."
For more information and pricing, go to http://embarcadero.com/products/db-powerstudio-for-sql-server.