How do I find reliable database support on the website?
I am trying to help a small business that has an application that can benefit from a random (or temporary) database experience. The problem is that this company has all of their IP addresses in this database, so they rightfully hesitate to give someone access to it.
They usually meet and gain trust in person, but the talent pool within physical proximity to them is rather limited. I would like to think that they can still leverage the global DBA experience in some way, though ...
Even the crappiest DBA will be able to dance SQL circles around these guys - so exposing just parts of the database isn't possible for me, but I hope I just don't know how.
Does anyone have any hints on how they can find a reliable company (or a separate company)? When I hire a programmer I start them on basic stuff, that if they are messy it doesn't hurt too much. With the database, is there anything I can start with that can limit their impact. Maybe Profiler outputs for analysis or something else?
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As others have pointed out, an NDA is a good idea that covers you in terms of what they see ...
However, I feel that you are also worried about any potential "damage" the person in your database can do if they are wrong. It is a little more difficult to work around and defend against, but there are a few good key elements that I would recommend.
- BACKUP EVERYTHING before launch, this is common sense but cannot be overstated
- Provide a test environment to the consultant if you can replicate production issues. This provides an isolated environment where testing can be performed.
- DO NOT restrict access to the database. Database problems require digging into the system, limiting their access may actually contribute to the error rather than prevent them.
- Look for references or evidence of people's ability.
I am providing this information as a consultant myself. I advise .NET and SQL Server and I guarantee that all of the above is true in my advisory cases and I am not wrong. Stephen points out the biggest clue in this all, and that all consultants have his reputation . Serious consultants fully understand this, and because of this, he will make sure that they do NOT get into difficult situations.
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The easiest way is to require all employees and contractors who see the database or its design to sign nondisclosure agreements. There are many templates out there, and a good lawyer can give directions on what you need in one, with hourly payment times. Everyone in the industry uses them for them, and everyone understands why they should sign them.
Of course, this is not a programming issue, it is just a legal issue.
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consultants sign NDAs all the time, and the good ones take them seriously because a consultant's reputation is all he has
not yet a database administrator, I highly recommend this person as I have known him all my life; -)
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