The closest thing to time travel you will experience in SQL Server
Updated April 21, 2021

The closest thing to time travel you will experience in SQL Server

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with SQL Sentry

We specifically purchased SQL Sentry Performance Advisor out of the need to resolve performance issues on one of our SQL clusters. It was difficult to troubleshoot the issues after they had occurred and SQL Sentry allowed us to review the performance over a period of time and specifically go back to when an issue occurred to troubleshoot. We now use this for the majority of our SQL estate and specifically for IT Department only.

Pros

  • Historical analysis of performance counters - you can go back in time or over a range to see what was happening to the server
  • Review Top SQL and Blocking - You can see at a specific moment in time what queries are running and even review historical blocking.
  • Baselining - Ability to set your own baselines, so you can compare what is on screen to what you expect
  • Read only views - You can grant read only access to users, allowing us to grant support teams the ability to review the dashboards as well.

Cons

  • If a server is maxing out and unable to allow the service to record then you can get blackouts in the data. This is a risk of running as a service, but then you have bigger problems to deal with if that has occurred.
SQL Sentry was just a more slick application to use versus Idera. Visually it was easier to navigate and manage, and the ability to move licenses about to Instances was a benefit.
SQL Sentry can be utilised for both performance monitoring and alerting. It is good if you need to analyse performance issues whether in production or in development. Easily can export stats to send to vendors where applications are not performing well. And can setup alert thresholds that can send emails to support teams or write out to SCOM or the event log.

SolarWinds SQL Sentry Feature Ratings

SQL Performance Monitoring
8.6
Performance dashboard
9
Intelligent alerting
8
Top SQL
9
Historical trend data
10
Virtualization support
7

SQL Sentry Business Processes

  • Incident Investigation
  • Performance Analysis
  • Alerting
  • Baselining
  • Storage Forecasting
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
We reviewed a number of equivalent products and SQL Sentry came out on top predominantly for its ease of use, the way it is layed out (visually draws you in). The features (which other products had as well) were a big draw, the ability to be able to look back through time at what the server was doing was the key feature we needed to be able to investigate issues that would happen out of hours. As soon as we got this software in we were able to resolve our over night blocking issues in no time at all.
The fact they have such a great support team and plenty of return on investment sessions just sets them apart.

SQL Sentry Support

From their infancy as a smaller company to now as a global player they have always kept focus on prioritising he customer. They know their product and the technology it supports and are easily accessible for both resolving problems with the product all the way to adding value through additional training and assisting with getting return on investment through utilisation of the many features the product provides.
ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
No escalation required
Immediate help available
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
None
Not Available
They provide a standard support process but are quick to respond and very knowledgeable. Additional benefits come via their customer success team that can provide additional training and return on investment assistance.
Yes - When I have reported a bug they usually provide a workaround in the meantime, and they follow up to advise when it has been fixed in a next release.
Their technical sales reps are amazing, some are even Microsoft MVPs. We have had times when you might have a what if question, or even a specific SQL server question and they will always helpfully respond. One of the better vendors out there getting it right by prioritising the customers satisfaction over everything else. Always a pleasure speaking with any of the staff both on and off topic of SentryOne.

Using SQL Sentry

I don't know how we survived before without this tool, the added value that you get from it to do deep dive performance analysis, reactive problem solving and proactive monitoring and alerting is limitless. We have only scratched the surface of what we can do with this tool at my company. The support and ROI that SentryOne provide is exceptional and one of my favourite vendors to deal with.
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Well integrated
Consistent
Convenient
Feel confident using
Requires technical support
  • Performance Dashboard
  • Top SQL
  • Blocking
  • Generating reports can be a little clunky - Format not always the best but can query underlying tables to make own ones
  • Adding Alerts can be tricky to make sure applying at the right context level - powrful tool but takes a bit of getting used to for this element
Yes, but I don't use it

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