Author: Steve Stedman

Podcast: Tackling Schema Drift with Schema Drift from Stedman Solutions Alright, folks, let’s set the stage. Schema Drift is what happens when the structure of your databases—like tables, columns, indexes—starts to differ between environments that should be identical. Maybe a developer tweaks a table in dev but forgets to push it to production, or a hotfix in prod doesn’t make it back to test. Before you know it, your app’s querying a column that doesn’t exist, and chaos ensues. I’ve …

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This is just one of the many checks that our Daily Checkup and Quickscan Report from Stedman Solutions will report on. It is not recommended to place user or DBA type tables into the Master Database. Understanding the Risks: User Tables in the Master Database and Disaster Recovery When it comes to managing SQL Server, the master database stands out as one of the most critical system databases. It holds essential system-level data, including server-wide configurations and the existence of …

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This is just one of the many checks that our Daily Checkup and Quickscan Report from Stedman Solutions will report on. Security Risks of SQL Server Agent Jobs at Startup Configuring SQL Server Agent jobs to execute automatically at startup introduces a range of security vulnerabilities and operational challenges that can compromise the integrity, availability, and performance of a SQL Server environment. While certain scenarios—such as replication setups or critical system maintenance tasks—may justify the use of startup jobs, it’s …

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SchemaDrift from Stedman Solutions is a specialized tool designed to track and monitor changes in your SQL Server database schemas over time. Whether it’s a table being altered, a stored procedure being modified, or an index being added or removed—SchemaDrift captures those changes and provides a clear, chronological log of what changed, when it changed, and who changed it (if available). This is critical for maintaining database integrity, auditing, troubleshooting, and ensuring your development, test, and production environments stay in …

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The Critical Importance of Good BACKUPs in SQL Server In the ever-evolving landscape of database management, the significance of maintaining robust, reliable, and well-tested backups cannot be overstated. Whether you’re a seasoned database administrator, a software developer, or a business owner overseeing critical systems, understanding and implementing a comprehensive backup strategy for your SQL Server environment is not merely a recommended best practice—it’s an absolute necessity. Backups serve as the cornerstone of data protection, ensuring your organization can weather unexpected …

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Emergency Table-Level Restore: How Stedman Solutions’ Managed Services Can Save Your SQL Server This post was inspired by a text message from one of our managed services clients at 5am this morning. 26 minutes later we had their table fully restored, most of that time was running the actual restore. Just part of the support we provide to our managed services customers. Imagine it’s a busy day at the office, and suddenly, you’re notified that an essential table in your …

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Are you ready to supercharge your SQL Server’s Performance? If so, you’re in luck! We’re thrilled to announce an exclusive limited-time offer on our comprehensive SQL Server Performance Tuning course, designed to equip database professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to optimize SQL Server Performance effectively. 11% OFF – Enroll Now at 11% off With Coupon Code PERF11 Enroll Now Why Performance Tuning Matters In the fast-paced, data-driven landscape of modern business, performance tuning has evolved from a mere …

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Understanding Merge Replication in SQL Server In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, businesses rely on data that’s both current and accessible, no matter where their teams or systems are located. Whether it’s a sales rep updating customer records in the field, a branch office managing local inventory, or a global enterprise syncing data across continents, keeping databases aligned is a critical challenge. SQL Server’s merge replication rises to this challenge, offering a robust and flexible solution for synchronizing data across distributed …

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