• Database Services

  BestIT's Oracle Database and DBA Services can assist you whether you're implementing the latest in technology or proven technology that is simply new to your company's environment. Some of the general areas that we service are:

  Architecture and design is truly at the center of BestIT's Oracle Database and DBA Services offering. Whether it's for a self-contained business function-level application or an enterprisewide system, everyone knows it's extremely difficult to recover from poor or inappropriate design. BestIT can ensure that the most critical phase of systems development is done right.

  Time-critical troubleshooting is often handled through our Managed Services group, which in that respect can be viewed as somewhat of an insurance policy -- ensuring that skilled Oracle DBAs, who are knowledgeable with your system, are readily available to put out a fire if it occurs. However, we have been known to take on firefighting assignments outside of our Managed Services group -- our instinctive response is wanting to help.

  High availability and scalability through Oracle 10g Real Application Clusters (RAC) is a cost-effective technology to ensure maximum uptime for a company's mission-critical systems, while also ensuring they can easily scale to handle increased future workload. When correctly architected and implemented, this technology is solid and reliable -- BestIT's expert Oracle DBAs have the experience necessary to ensure success.

  Performance and application tuning is where our reputation began. BestIT's expert Oracle DBAs routinely perform miracles, or what is perceived as miracles. Whether it's a quick fix (instance hero) or complex brainteaser, our DBAs thrive on the feeling of accomplishment when finding the problem and then creating a finely tuned environment.

  Supplemental expert support can be handled by our implementations services group for longer-term engagements. For shorter-term engagements (occasional spikes in workload) that require "just-in-time" resources, our Managed Services group is your best option.

  Database and application migrations are best handled by experts on the platform being "migrated to." Whether companies are dealing with inherited systems (through mergers or acquisitions), old legacy systems or a consolidation of multiple platforms, they often do not have the skilled resources available to properly architect a new environment. BestIT brings those skills to the table -- not only with Oracle Database expertise, but also with working knowledge of many of the most common source database and file systems. In addition to these skills, BestIT also provides tools to simplify the process.

  Data integration within heterogeneous environments -- that's a mouthful. What does it mean? It's the ability, through the use of a proprietary tool, to easily access non-Oracle data transparently -- making the data appear as though it is coming from an Oracle data source. The net effect is the saving of money, time and effort. (Periscope white paper -- 1.1MB PDF.)

• Remote Applications Support

  BestIT Managed Services enables companies to maintain complex Oracle-based environments on a reduced budget and focus on strategic projects by offering the expertise and depth of BestIT through a remote delivery model. Managed Services provides sleep-at-night security through 24x7 monitoring and proactive administration, as well as enables companies to invest in their current staff through mentoring.

  Reduced Oracle Support Costs are derived from efficiencies built into our support model. Allow us to show you customer case studies that illustrate and quantify substantial savings.

  Instant Access to Expertise is at the heart of this service. Difficult problems come in many different shapes and sizes, potentially requiring unique expertise. Our flexible pricing models allow our clients to support workload peaks and complex problems with subject matter experts, as they are needed. For all but the most sophisticated large shops, BestIT's level of expertise is virtually impossible to duplicate.

  Peace of Mind is derived from knowing that 24x7x365 monitoring and emergency response is available to handle those events that threaten the availability of the database environment and require immediate action. Our Remote Monitor software allows BestIT to collect and provide automated 24x7x365 analysis of all Oracle Database statistics on a predetermined schedule or as-needed basis. All statistics are stored in our Operational Data Store and are available via customized reports on the BestIT Internet Client Center Web site. This data also feeds our Alert Notification Engine, which provides real-time alerts on current or potential problems.

  Mentoring - sharing the knowledge - has always been a core belief of BestIT. Outside of our user group participation, this belief is illustrated best through our Managed Services practice. This sharing can take on two basic forms: letting people know exactly how and why we solve problems and simply answering difficult technology questions. We are often used as an expert sounding board - where client staff can test a theory or fill in a small (but critical) gap in their understanding.

  A Dedicated Senior DBA (within a team support structure) ensures that the proactive support you receive is based on firsthand knowledge of your systems, coupled with solid best practices. As your primary consistent point of contact, your assigned DBA is on call 24x7 to proactively respond to problems detected by our alert-based monitoring system, as well as issues discovered in-house. Issues are often resolved before you are even aware there was a problem or before it becomes one.

  Flexibility for your IT organization. Whether it is fully staffed, hiring, open to outside help or opposed to outsourcing, BestIT Managed Services can fill the gaps that exist in any team. Our clients range from large companies with 25 Oracle DBAs to smaller shops with no budget to hire the senior-level expertise that complex Oracle environments require.

Custom Development and Implementation Support

Custom-developed applications cover a broad range of needs and implementation approaches: from back-end data handling and crunching to customer or employee interfaces; from small, quick-hit add-ons for existing applications to new approaches for providing better customer-related services. BestIT provides successful implementations though the use of a proven methodology, coupled with the most experienced Oracle professionals in the industry.

Project Management is vital to risk management. In addition to the years of project management experience on the BestIT team, we equip our project managers with a proprietary time reporting tool that provides excellent visibility into work performed and effort still remaining (to augment the standard project management tools).

Architecture and Design must be based on a solid understanding of the technology. The experts at BestIT cover both development tools and the underlying database features. Toe-to-toe, our competition cannot compete with our extensive expertise in the realm of Oracle Technology.

Technical Development Support must be solid. In today's ever-changing technology landscape, we all know how difficult (if not impossible) it is for any one individual to know all of the answers. Fortunately for our clients, BestIT's expert team routinely encounters problems (opportunities!) that most systems professionals only encounter occasionally in their careers. It is this collective experience that can ensure the optimal use of technology.

Business Analysis is not just for large departmental or enterprisewide development efforts. For smaller efforts, the development resources must understand both the technology and business -- a requirement for all of our senior consultants. For larger efforts, our senior management consultants will perform in-depth business analysis and requirement definition.

Remote DBA and Database Support BestIT Managed Services enables companies to maintain complex Oracle-based environments on a reduced budget and focus on strategic projects by offering the expertise and depth of BestIT through a remote delivery model. Managed Services provides sleep-at-night security through 24x7 monitoring and proactive administration, as well as enables companies to invest in their current staff through mentoring.

Reduced Oracle Support Costs are derived from efficiencies built into our support model. Allow us to show you customer case studies that illustrate and quantify substantial savings.

Instant Access to Expertise is at the heart of this service. Difficult problems come in many different shapes and sizes, potentially requiring unique expertise. Our flexible pricing models allow our clients to support workload peaks and complex problems with subject matter experts, as they are needed. For all but the most sophisticated large shops, BestIT's level of expertise is virtually impossible to duplicate.

Peace of Mind is derived from knowing that 24x7x365 monitoring and emergency response is available to handle those events that threaten the availability of the database environment and require immediate action. Our Remote Monitor software allows BestIT to collect and provide automated 24x7x365 analysis of all Oracle Database statistics on a predetermined schedule or as-needed basis. All statistics are stored in our Operational Data Store and are available via customized reports on the BestIT Internet Client Center Web site. This data also feeds our Alert Notification Engine, which provides real-time alerts on current or potential problems.

Mentoring - sharing the knowledge - has always been a core belief of BestIT. Outside of our user group participation, this belief is illustrated best through our Managed Services practice. This sharing can take on two basic forms: letting people know exactly how and why we solve problems and simply answering difficult technology questions. We are often used as an expert sounding board - where client staff can test a theory or fill in a small (but critical) gap in their understanding.

A Dedicated Senior DBA (within a team support structure) ensures that the proactive support you receive is based on firsthand knowledge of your systems, coupled with solid best practices. As your primary consistent point of contact, your assigned DBA is on call 24x7 to proactively respond to problems detected by our alert-based monitoring system, as well as issues discovered in-house. Issues are often resolved before you are even aware there was a problem or before it becomes one.

Flexibility for your IT organization. Whether it is fully staffed, hiring, open to outside help or opposed to outsourcing, BestIT Managed Services can fill the gaps that exist in any team. Our clients range from large companies with 25 Oracle DBAs to smaller shops with no budget to hire the senior-level expertise that complex Oracle environments require.

Oracle Training & Mentoring

BestIT operates state-of-the-art Oracle training facilities -- including large-screen projectors strategically placed in the classroom, plus Microsoft Meeting on each workstation for students' viewing. Class size is designed to accommodate 12 students. Students will have personal workstations to maximize their investment in learning.

Many clients have curriculum needs that are specific to their environments. To accommodate those customers, BestIT offers Oracle training courses in a private and / or customized setting. In addition, BestIT offers mentoring packages to assist customers' personal needs at their own sites.

Each student receives a set of class notes, reference publication, quick reference guide and disk of sample scripts and answers to the exercises to serve as a valuable source after the course is completed. If applicable, students also will receive a V$ Views for Oracle10g poster. In the respective classes, each student will receive books from various publishers and / or written by BestIT.

Available classroom courses:

Introduction to Oracle
SQL & SQL*Plus
PL/SQL
Advanced PL/SQL
Application Tuning for Developers
Oracle Database Administration
Oracle Backup & Recovery
Performance Tuning
Real Application Clusters
Oracle Grid
Introduction to Java
Introduction to Web Development Using JDeveloper
Introduction to Oracle AS Portal
Discoverer for End Users
Discoverer for Administrators
Oracle Warehouse Builder 10g
HTML DB
Business Intelligence Data Modeling
Oracle 10g New Features for DBAs
Oracle 10g New Features for Developers
Oracle Reports Workshop
Advanced Web Development Using JDeveloper 10g
Oracle Forms Workshop