• I feel your pain with this.

    I have tried different approaches with this and the most effective one for where I work is to say to "the business"

    yes I can make sure that this server will be backed up - how much data can you afford to lose?

    yes I will perform index etc maintenance on this database / server - when (if ever) is the quiet time for it?

    yes I will support this database - do you have the handover document stipulating SLAs etc?

    By default I will back a database up a couple of times a day and do general maint once a week unless I am told otherwise.

    I have found that this approach works where I am as long as you are polite but assertive in saying "unless you tell me otherwise you will get the default" - and get it in writing. The written confirmation is the kept with centrally held documentation about the server / application.

    -------------------------------Posting Data Etiquette - Jeff Moden [/url]Smart way to ask a question
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