SQL Toolbelt

What do you like best?

The SQL Toolbelt by Redgate Software in my a opinion is good little starter set for when you want to get up and running an SQL shop. It has the wizardry of scripting. It does versioning and also schema orientation, safeguarding of integrity--bookkeeping. DB Administration It is a nice set of modules that can be installed easily and it is good for the novice or mid level knowledge of the database world. It does alot for this.

What do you dislike?

The only thing I can think of and it is not anything bad, folks that are db savvy or expert level may find this to be basic for them The folks we have that fits this criteria like to write their own modules. They like to get behind the scenes and see how it accomplishes it's tasks. Nothing really about it to dislike. It is a good package.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

The toolbelt has two types of packages available. First has 11 modules modules. The second package has 14 modules. For us we got the second package because it had all the tools we were going to need.. However if you decide to go with the first package, you will want to add the SQL Backup Pro and the SQL Monitor as an add-ons and they are an extra purchase. Talk to the rep on this.

What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized?

In my company,we implement and advise client's how to setup temporary full functioning satellite office and or testing labs. everything from location down to the IT infrastructure. Depending upon the needs of the client we look for software that can be easy to use, easy to deploy and help them right off the bat. I find that the toolbelt accomplishes this for managing database activity One of the modules SQL Backup Pro does a decent job in backing up the server. one of the test I ran was restore of the database on a test machine. It was able to do this with full integrity intact. This is paramount for us because these are satellite locations which are sometimes experience problems that are not seen at the main sites. The versioning is also great for us because it allows us to restore the database back to a specific date.