Item: SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer
Rating: 10
Author: Stan York

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Spitfire deploys a software platform backed by a Microsoft SQL Database with over 140 tables and more than 650 procedures. The size of the database typically surpasses millions of records and several hundred GB. SQL creates query plans that differ for each client depending upon their unique distribution of data. Some have only a few dozen projects a year - others a couple of thousand. Clients create budgets with different levels of detail and then create material purchases - sometimes one line each, others 500 lines. So a one-size-fits-all query is a challenge. SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer gives us real-time, ongoing visibility into the performance of our queries across a real-world deployment.

Pros and Cons

Identifies objects causing bottleneck by real wait time
Identifies specific section of a large query that needs attention
Lets you see what index is actually being used
Helps you see if CPU, RAM or DISK is the limiting resource

View Plan Details is actually a bit weaker than SSMS because all the lines are the same width
The "View SQL Text" viewer could be fancier - but it does clearly identify the problem section

Return on Investment

It is not uncommon to identify a query that is taking 70 seconds and reduce it to under a second. It sounds crazy, but it is true.
Improving a SQL bottleneck benefits more than just one specific use case! Overall responsiveness of the application improves.

Other Software Used

Microsoft SQL Server

Key Insights

Do you think SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer's feature set?

Yes

Did SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer again?

Yes

Likelihood to Recommend

This is an easy 10 because I actually have recommended this product to multiple clients and colleagues! Any shop that writes its own SQL queries will benefit from the insight provided by SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer, so they know which of their queries is causing a bottleneck. Small shops or databases with only a few tables likely will see far fewer opportunities for optimization.

Products Replaced

Yes - SQL Database Engine Tuning Advisor is totally replaced. In theory, it is intended to provide the same type of insights but fails miserably.

Key Differentiators

Price
Product Features
Product Usability
Product Reputation

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Hands Down: SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer Beats SQL Profile and Database Engine Tuning Advisor

Overall Satisfaction with SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer