The EDB Guide to Enterprise Database Management
Modernizing Enterprise Databases with EDB Postgres Advanced Server
The basics of enterprise databases and the tools that manage them
An enterprise database is the central repository where all of an enterprise’s collected data is stored. Database Management System (DBMS) tools structure raw data and connect it with enterprise users, applications and decision makers, providing them with the information they need to operate.
DBMS software serves four primary functions:
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Organization and management
DBMS tools can organize stored data by format (e.g. tables, reports, spreadsheets), and enables granular management by defining data types, structures, and constraints.
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Manipulation and retrieval
DBMS users can insert, retrieve, update or delete data as needed. The DBMS maintains data integrity by ensuring stored data is accurate and consistent across users.
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Protection
User authentication, data encryption, and Disaster Recovery (DR) protocols prevent unauthorized access and secure business continuity by safeguarding data against corruption or loss.
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Concurrent use
Enterprise databases must process multiple users’ queries concurrently without compromising data integrity. Enterprise-grade DBMS tools achieve this by ensuring users’ database transactions do not interfere with each other.
Selecting the right DBMS software to manage your data is crucial to efficiently handle the high volume of queries that come with large enterprise operations, and store data in formats that suit user needs.
6 characteristics of the modern enterprise database
Identifying the optimal DBMS tool for your enterprise requires a clear understanding of how it leverages data to achieve objectives. Although these differ from business to business, modern enterprise-grade DBMS tools can be evaluated with a common set of 6 data management capabilities:
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Efficiency
How efficiently data is stored and retrieved.
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Accessibility
User-friendliness and simplicity of use.
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Scalability
How well the system handles large and complex datasets, high query volumes, and both horizontal and vertical scaling.
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Flexibility & Integration
How easily the system can be customized to suit specific needs (e.g. custom data types, extensions, and plugins).
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Reliability
The capability to maintain data integrity and consistency in high-transaction environments.
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Performance
Process and query speed.
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How to determine the optimal DBMS for your enterprise needs
Most enterprise-grade DBMS software fits into two broad types - relational (RDBMS) and object-oriented (OODBMS). Both specialize in different combinations of the 6 characteristics to manage data.
RDBMS tools organize data into tables, utilizing Structured Query Language (SQL) to access information.
OODBMS tools define and store data as self-contained objects, enabling direct access to stored data without the need for relational sub-indexing.
Consult the table for a comparison of their strengths and weaknesses:
| Characteristic | Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) | Object-Oriented Database Management System (OODBMS) |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | HIGH Tabular systems are highly space-efficient. Its structured rows and columns make retrieval and manipulation easy. |
HIGH Object-oriented structures can store and retrieve both structured and complex data efficiently. |
| Accessibility | LIMITED Effective use requires working knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL) and tabular database structures. |
HIGH Navigational methods are favored over query languages, and are easier to learn. |
| Scalability | HIGH Relational databases are easily scaled to suit increased usage with additional resources, like servers and hard drives. |
HIGH Object-oriented databases can add processing power or memory capacity to suit higher demand workloads as needed. |
| Flexibility and Integration | LIMITED Relational databases can only store one type of information in any given field or record, and struggle with more complex information. The same limitation also poses problems when integrating external tools. |
LIMITED Object-oriented databases are optimized for complex data, and direct data access without sub-indexing eases integration. However, they can struggle to integrate non-object systems. |
| Reliability | HIGH Referential integrity synchronizes data across tables, ensuring accurate, concurrent and up-to-date query results. |
HIGH The relationships between objects are maintained by the database, ensuring transaction data remains consistent even in complex applications. |
| Performance | LIMITED Although tabular sub-indexing accelerates queries, it does not scale well with high demands on memory and processing power. |
LOW Object-oriented tools can be slower than relational equivalents with sub-indexing capabilities. |
The operational tasks your enterprise executes on a daily basis will determine your optimal DBMS type. Matching your enterprise data needs with the relevant characteristics of a modernized database is critical to a selection that enhances business performance.
Why PostgreSQL is the optimal database for modern enterprises
PostgreSQL is an open source DBMS explicitly designed for modern enterprise needs. It is an Object-Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS), integrating both relational tabular formats and support for object-oriented data storage.
Integration maximizes PostgreSQL’s modern database characteristics and confers exceptional versatility, making it an ideal general-purpose choice for enterprise-level businesses.
Here’s how PostgreSQL compares to its RDBMS and OODBMS counterparts:
| Characteristic | RDBMS | OODBMS | Object-Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS) - PostgreSQL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | HIGH Tabular systems are highly space-efficient. Its structured rows and columns make retrieval and manipulation easy. |
HIGH Object-oriented structures can store and retrieve both structured and complex data efficiently. |
HIGH PostgreSQL is SQL-compliant and delivers both relational and object-oriented features, enabling efficient storage of both structured and complex data. |
| Accessibility | LIMITED Effective use requires working knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL) and tabular database structures. |
HIGH Navigational methods are favored over query languages, and are easier to learn. |
HIGH PostgreSQL comes with full-text search capabilities and allows definition of complex data types, helping users represent data as they want it in their applications. |
| Scalability | HIGH Relational databases are easily scaled to suit increased usage with additional resources, like servers and hard drives. |
HIGH Object-oriented databases can add processing power or memory capacity to suit higher demand workloads as needed. |
HIGH PostgreSQL is designed to scale with growth. By distributing data across multiple servers, it is ideal for high-traffic websites and applications. |
| Flexibility and Integration | LIMITED Relational databases can only store one type of information in any given field or record, and struggle with more complex information. The same limitation also poses problems when integrating external tools. |
LIMITED Object-oriented databases are optimized for complex data, and direct data access without sub-indexing eases integration. However, they can struggle to integrate non-object systems. |
HIGH PostgreSQL is open source, avoiding vendor-lock in and freeing users to modify the database as needed. Extensibility is key to PostgreSQL’s design DNA, and it supports a wide range of non-relational data types and community support services. |
| Reliability | HIGH Referential integrity synchronizes data across tables, ensuring accurate, concurrent, and up-to-date query results. |
HIGH The relationships between objects are maintained by the database, ensuring transaction data remains consistent even in complex applications. |
HIGH PostgreSQL is fully ACID-compliant, featuring built-in replication, failover, and high availability to secure business continuity. |
| Performance | LIMITED Although tabular sub-indexing accelerates queries, it does not scale well with high demands on memory and processing power. |
LOW Object-oriented tools can be slower than relational equivalents with sub-indexing capabilities. |
HIGH Although primarily designed for single-node operation, PostgreSQL can support distributed architecture that maximizes scalability at high volume, uptime, and fault tolerance. |
PostgreSQL also performs well against other established databases. The table below compares PostgreSQL with a relational database like MySQL and a vendor-based solution like Oracle:
| Characteristic | PostgreSQL | MySQL (RDBMS) | Oracle (RDBMS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | HIGH PostgreSQL is SQL-compliant and delivers both relational features and object-oriented support, enabling efficient storage of both structured and complex data. |
LIMITED MySQL is only partly SQL-compliant, and doesn’t support some SQL features like the no check restraint. |
HIGH Oracle both supports and delivers high retrieval speed of both structured and complex data. |
| Accessibility | HIGH PostgreSQL comes with full-text search capabilities and allows definition of complex data types, helping users align data as they want it represented in their applications. |
LIMITED Effective use requires working knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL) and tabular database structures. |
LIMITED Oracle uses the PL/SQL programming language. Although easy to learn, it is exclusive to Oracle and cannot be used to operate other databases. |
| Scalability | HIGH PostgreSQL is designed to scale with growth. By distributing data across multiple servers, it is ideal for high-traffic websites and applications. |
LIMITED Searches do not scale well as data volumes rise due to MySQL’s inability to manage parallel processing. |
HIGH Oracle database is optimized to process large data volumes efficiently, regardless of company size. Power is carried up as enterprises scale. |
| Flexibility & Integration | HIGH PostgreSQL is open source, avoiding vendor-lock in and freeing users to modify the database to suit their requirements. Extensibility is a key part of PostgreSQL’s design DNA, and it supports a wide range of non-relational data types and community support services. |
LIMITED Like Oracle, MySQL features several options for vendor services, but does not prioritize extensibility and only supports standard SQL data types. |
LIMITED Although Oracle comes packaged with vendor managed services and powerful reporting and analytics tools, users are restricted to available services and cannot modify database code. |
| Reliability | HIGH PostgreSQL is fully ACID-compliant, featuring built-in replication, failover, and high availability to secure business continuity. |
LIMITED MySQL is only partly ACID-compliant, using asynchronous one-way replication to preserve data integrity. |
HIGH Oracle uses a multiversion consistency model with different types of locks and transactions to maintain data integrity. Built-in replication and High Availability options ensure data redundancy and continuous access. |
| Performance | HIGH Although primarily designed for single-node operation, PostgreSQL can be configured with distributed architecture that maximizes scalability at high volume, uptime, and fault tolerance. |
LIMITED MySQL is one of the fastest RDBMS tools, but suffers with complex queries and high data volumes. It is best deployed for lower-scope projects with an emphasis on read-only commands. |
HIGH Oracle’s optimized query processing, indexing, and caching mechanisms drive high performance. |
MySQL is an older DBMS than PostgreSQL. Designed to be light on features, it excels at concurrent read-only functions for smaller projects - but suffers with high data volumes at scale, and isn’t suitable for enterprise-level operations.
Although PostgreSQL and Oracle are equally matched in most areas, they differ in a critical aspect that should always factor in buying decisions.
As an open source database, PostgreSQL is organically supported by an active community of users. High extensibility is in everyone’s interest, and its flexibility - as well as wide range of community tools - make it easy to calibrate to specific needs. The community shapes the database’s future direction, and user ease of use is always front of mind.
Oracle is a proprietary product that comes with commercial licensing costs, and features managed vendor services that are packaged with the database. Prolonged technical dependency on vendor services can raise termination and switching costs, making it increasingly costly to leave; and database upgrades are driven by vendor priorities, not the user’s.
Ultimately, determining the better option comes down to your specific use cases and organizational needs. Companies that value agility may prefer PostgreSQL, while those processing heavy-duty data volumes may find Oracle superior.
Amplify PostgreSQL strengths for large enterprises with EDB Postgres Advanced Server
Open source PostgreSQL is a great choice for small companies. But larger enterprises face different challenges, and require tools and capabilities to operate at scale that a self-supported environment can’t provide.
EDB Postgres Advanced Server (EPAS) augments PostgreSQL with a wider range of functions designed to answer the needs of enterprise-level businesses, including:
Versatile Deployments
EPAS gives you the most secure, highly available, and high performance Postgres available - whether in the cloud, hybrid environments or on premises.
Enhanced Integration
EPAS makes it easier to integrate with other existing relational and non-relational databases, a must for large enterprises looking to upgrade or transition from legacy setups.
Oracle Compatibility
EPAS provides Oracle-like features that meet mission-critical requirements for enterprise users. EDB compatibility can streamline transitions away from Oracle, and provide benefits for non-Oracle database users via integration and usability features within the general EDB platform.
Enhanced Productivity
EPAS users can benefit from productivity enhancers for app developers that are not available in self-supported environments, including user-defined objects, autonomous transactions, synonyms, and 200+ prepackaged utility functions.
Increased Security
EPAS unites a suite of enhanced security protocols under a single platform. Specific features not found on self-supported PostgreSQL include enhanced auditing, SQL injection protection, robust authentication policies, and user profile management.
Enterprise-Ready Tools
EPAS offers a robust set of tools for backup, DR, replication, database management, monitoring, and query tuning. These tools are specifically designed for large enterprises, and cover more use cases than the open source community toolset users.
24/7 Support
EPAS offers expert support at all stages of the application lifecycle - including evaluation, application development, testing, production deployment, and production operations. Community resources and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are available to help users learn how to use the advanced server.
PostgreSQL Leadership
EDB is the biggest contributor to Postgres and is a leader in the PostgreSQL community. EPAS users can benefit from every tool and insight available to PostgreSQL users worldwide, and direct access to the experts shaping the direction of the technology.
By augmenting PostgreSQL’s versatility with features designed for large enterprises, EPAS helps enterprise-level businesses harness the full power of PostgreSQL with efficient, scalable, extendable, and high-performance database management.
Explore EDB Postgres solutions designed for the enterprise.
Access Our Resources on EDB Postgres Advanced Server
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Read our guide for recommendations on tuning PostgreSQL and EDB Postgres Advanced Server for Windows users.
Besides being free and open source, PostgreSQL is highly extensible. Users can define their own data types, build custom functions, and even write code from different programming languages without lengthy recompilation. PostgreSQL is also known for its stability, low rate of data corruption, and reliability in high-concurrency, high-write, and high-read environments. It’s an ideal choice for large-scale applications that require high availability and uptime.
PostgreSQL has a wide range of advanced features that make it a top choice for enterprise-level databases, including support for both JSON and XML data types, full ACID-compliance, full-text search capabilities, extensible architecture, and built-in replication.
PostgreSQL can handle both structured (using SQL) and unstructured data (using JSON), making it especially useful for big data projects.
Major companies use PostgreSQL for database management. Top companies include Netflix, Uber, Instagram, Spotify and Twitch.
The biggest differences between EnterpriseDB and PostgreSQL are high availability, disaster recovery, security, and performance. EDB Postgres Advanced Server amplifies the strengths of PostgreSQL with proprietary enhancements designed specifically for enterprise-level businesses.
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