Steve,

Merry Christmas, and I would like to thank you and Red-Gate for an opportunity to tell you how SQL monitor would be a great asset to my DBA toolkit, or is that toolbelt[/url].

Like many DBA’s I am not at my desk every day, all day, 7X24. For that matter, if I were I would be a very boring individual. I am required to attend meetings, and of course I like to come home occasionally to spend time with my family and friends. While I work to live, I really live to play. Therefore having SQL Monitor installed doing the real monitoring work of watching over my SQL Server environment will allow more time to work, but also more time to live.

With SQL Monitor on the job, it would allow me to be alerted as soon as some performance measure exceeds one of my monitoring thresholds. By having an iPad at my side, will allow me to be instantly notified regardless if I’m in a meeting, or out playing. The faster I can respond to a performance situation the quicker I can resolve the issue. I am sure with the combination of SQL Monitor and an iPad I will be able to resolve problems before anyone even notices.

Of course being alerted whenever and wherever I am, and being able to respond is a great way to partner SQL Monitor and with an iPad device. But there are other advantages I could see in using SQL Monitor in my work environment. For instance say a programmer comes to me in the morning and says “Hey my batch job ran 10 times longer than normal last night, what was going on at 1 AM in the morning?” With SQL Monitor on the job, monitoring 7X24, I could use the “Rewind Time” feature to go back and see what was happening on the server at the time my programmer’s slow nightly batch job ran. This historical data would be invaluable in helping troubleshooting performance problems retroactively.

Once again I’d like to thank Red-Gate for this great SQL Server monitoring tool, and the contest. I could sure use SQL Monitor working at my shop, so I don’t have to work 7X24.

Since it is Christmas time, I thought I would leave you with Christmas poem about “SQL Monitor” (see below).

Have a great holiday,

Greg Larsen

‘Twas the Night before Christmas

By Gregory A. Larsen

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the farm

All the servers where humming, not causing a harm.

The SQL machines were manage with care,

In hopes that SQL Monitor would soon be there.

The programmers were nestled all snug in their load

While visions of T-SQL danced in their code.

And the Network Admin in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a short winter’s day nap.

When out on the floor there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the desk to see what was the matter.

Up from my chair I flew like a flash,

Tore down the hall assuming a crash.

The managers were abreast of the new-fallen code

Wondering what cluster of server were taking the load.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But the UPS Man, that was such a dear.

The little old driver, was lively and quick.

He handed me a parcel, that was hardly that thick.

More rapid than eagles I unwrapped the package that came,

And I whistled, and shouted, and called it by name!

Yes “SQL Monitor” I screamed, as I opened the box!

I’d finally gotten the iPad and software that rocks!

To the top of my deck! To the top of the wall!

I dashed away! Dashed away! Dashed away all.

So now what should I do with this stuff that I got,

But put it to use, it’s better than not!

Back to the managers I responded with glee,

This is what I’ve been talking about, now you can see.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard from the group,

That the prancing and pawing Greg’s doing can’t be a dupe.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the hall walked the managers without even a sound.

I found a server all dressed up with space.

It took just a few clicks and glances, it sure was the place.

With a bundle of tools just install in my rack,

All I had to do was configure the top my stack.

My eyes-how they twinkled! My fingers were merry!

My reports were not rosy, or sweet like a cherry!

My droll little mouth, was working my talk,

As I looked at the reports, with nothing but shock.

SQL Monitor alerts, were sure quite a treat,

The problems were everywhere, which wasn’t so neat.

I showed my CIO the reports, which were quite a pest,

In hopes he would lead, which is what he does best!

He was friendly and plump, a right jolly old elf,

Who laughed when I shared the reports, in spite of himself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon led me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to the charts,

And pointed and smirked, when he turned to our marts.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up from his chair he rose!

He sprang to his keyboard, and gave his team the decision,

And away he flew, like a man on a mission.

But, I heard him exclaim, as he moved out of out of sight,

"Happy SQL Monitor to all, and to all a good-night!"