“With the new management tools in SQL Server 2008 R2, I can quickly see what caused a problem and proactively take action to prevent the problem from happening again. That feature is priceless.”

Reinaldo Kibel, Senior Database Engineer, Dell

Dell runs mission-critical databases to support its global business of providing computer systems to consumers and enterprises. To improve database performance, Dell deployed Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 database management software. New Application and Multiserver Management tools are helping the Dell IT team to gain more insights into the performance of key databases and to facilitate server consolidation efforts.

Business NeedsDell is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of computer systems, including PCs, servers, storage, monitors, and peripheral devices. It also provides IT solutions and services to other enterprise organizations. The company—which was launched by Michael Dell in 1984, when he was a college student—ships an average of 140,000 computer systems and components every day and lists the world’s largest enterprises among its customers. In 2009, the company reported U.S.$61.6 billion in revenue.

IT services are a vital aspect of Dell operations. The company’s IT staff manage thousands of servers and are responsible for creating and deploying dozens of line-of-business applications, software utilities, and websites. Many of the Dell assets are mission-critical, such as the Dell Premier site, which facilitates the procurement of IT products and services for corporate customers. Premier is one of numerous applications that carry a “Class 1” designation, which means that the IT department has to respond to any problems, including performance of the underlying databases, in less than one hour. Less critical applications carry designations of Class 2 and Class 3. Managing the databases that support this global, around-the-clock company is a constant challenge. The pressure is

particularly pronounced with Class 1 assets like the Dell Premier site. Says Reinaldo Kibel, Senior Database Engineer for Dell, “If it goes down, Dell Premier customers are unable to place timely orders for systems that keep them productive and competitive.” He adds that finding technology that can help improve operations is always a high priority. “In terms of database administration, the top issues for us are enhancing performance to meet our service level agreements, using servers to their fullest potential, and controlling costs,” he says.

SolutionDell, which has a long history of using Microsoft products for its own business, runs many of its applications on Microsoft SQL Server database management software. To enhance the performance and management of its databases, the IT team at Dell decided to implement a beta version of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise.

The Dell IT team was especially interested in several features of SQL Server 2008 R2. Among these are the Application and Multiserver Management (AMM) tools, which help Dell proactively manage its database environment. An important technology in AMM is the new Control Point Explorer in the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Management Studio, which

Customer: DellWeb Site: www.dell.comCustomer Size: 76,000 employeesCountry or Region: United StatesIndustry: Professional services—IT services

Customer ProfileDell is one of the world’s leading computer manufacturers. Based in Round Rock, Texas, Dell employs more than 100,000 team members globally.

Software and Services Microsoft Server Product Portfolio − Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

Enterprise

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Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2Customer Solution Case Study

Dell Uses New Database Technology to Consolidate Servers, Enhance IT Management

delivers dashboard views of general database metrics along with drill-down utilization views of database instances and applications. AMM also provides an easy way to understand historical performance of specific databases. Additionally, the company’s database administrators are using the enhanced data compression features in SQL Server 2008 R2 to consolidate many different databases onto single server computers and into virtualized database environments. This will help improve manageability and control costs.

In late 2009, Dell launched a test of SQL Server 2008 R2. By early 2010, it had six servers and more than 45 databases running the software. “We used it to run many new applications, tools, and development projects that we create in-house to support our growing and fast-moving business,” says Kibel. The databases ranged in size from a few megabytes to about 800 gigabytes. The IT team’s standard deployment process includes conducting extensive tests to ensure compatibility with existing applications prior to scheduling a full deployment across the company.

BenefitsThe initial deployment of SQL Server 2008 R2 quickly demonstrated to the Dell IT team that the software could help improve the management and reduce the costs of running the company’s mission-critical applications. With the SQL Server AMM tools, Dell administrators can monitor database performance more closely. The AMM functionality helps to improve server utilization and ongoing efforts to virtualize and consolidate the company’s databases. Dell is also able to use the new tools and features in SQL Server 2008 R2 to reduce costs.

Enhances Performance MonitoringBy using the SQL Server 2008 R2 AMM features, the Dell IT team can quickly view specific performance details in databases to identify potential problems and review past performance metrics. “Last year we had several cases of problems with servers, including an instance where the Premier site went down. Customers could not place orders. We wanted to figure out what was going on, but did not have the right tools for getting a clear history,” says Kibel. “With the new management tools in SQL Server

2008 R2, I can quickly see what caused a problem and proactively take action to prevent the problem from happening again. That feature is priceless.”

Improves Server UtilizationSQL Server 2008 R2 makes it easier for Dell IT administrators to understand server performance and utilization. “With the new tools in SQL Server 2008 R2, I can easily see what servers are not being fully utilized,” says Kibel. “Any server that is running below 40 percent utilization is a candidate for consolidation, and in a virtualized infrastructure, I can consolidate 10 database servers onto a single virtual server. Using these tools, we can also monitor a shared, virtualized database infrastructure with great precision. This adds clarity to discussions when business users request additional server space for their projects.”

Lowers IT CostsThe technology in SQL Server 2008 R2 is helping Dell in its ongoing drive to reduce IT costs. “We use Dell servers, of course, but in our business model, storage is the more expensive technology,” says Kibel. “By using the enhanced data compression and data storage features in SQL Server 2008 R2, we can add more data to the same storage volumes. The fact that we can do more with our existing storage infrastructure helps us tell a phenomenal story when management asks us to describe cost-saving opportunities.”

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Document published May 2010