Kate Duggan

8 September 2016

3 ways to get hands-on with DLM

Most people involved in database development would agree Database Lifecycle Management (DLM) is a good idea. When implemented correctly, you get a reliable, repeatable and predictable way of delivering database changes and minimize much of the deployment pain associated with manual processes.

So why isn’t everyone doing it already? Well, because putting it into practice can still be a challenge. Although version control, continuous integration, and release management are now completely achievable for the database, there are still different processes to get to grips with, different tools to connect, different things that need to be considered. And, as with any new way of working, it’s sometimes hard to know how to get started.

That’s where Redgate can help. We’ve spent a lot of time building a DLM solution that integrates with the tools you already have in place to build, test and deploy your application code, to make implementation easier. We do, though, recognize that many organizations will still need help getting up and running. After all, the database presents specific challenges and the processes built around making database changes can be complex.

So here are three practical ways we can help you break down the moving parts and start to visualize what a DLM implementation might actually look like for your organization, without having to leave the comfort of your desk.

1) Monthly DLM demo webinars

On the third Tuesday of every month, you can join us for an hour-long webinar where we run through an end-to-end demo of our Database Lifecycle Management solution. You’ll see how to use the DLM tools to check a database change into version control, automate the build and testing of that change, and then deploy the new version of the database into different environments. You get the chance to ask questions as we go along and we publish the webinar recording afterward so you can sit down and watch it with your team.

Each month we also change the tools we plug our DLM solution into. So whatever version control system, build server or release management tool you’re using, chances are we’ve already run a demo of Redgate DLM working with them. Check out previous webinar recordings on our YouTube playlist, or sign-up for the next webinar at www.red-gate.com/dlmdemo.

2) Full-day DLM training courses

Once you’re ready to dive a bit deeper, you can join a Database Lifecycle Management training course run by a Redgate accredited partner. The practical one-day workshops help you break down the different processes involved in migrating to an automated database delivery pipeline. Sessions cover database version control, database continuous integration, and automated database deployments, so you can get to grips with one stage before moving onto the next.

You’ll work through a series of hands-on labs, using the Virtual Machines we give you access to on the day. You’ll get practical experience of using DLM tools under the supervision of an experienced instructor, and you can also join an online training course to cut down on traveling time and expenses.

To sign-up for a training course, or find a Redgate certified partner to deliver an on-site workshop for your team, visit www.red-gate.com/training.

3) Setting up a Proof of Concept

To get a true insight into how Database Lifecycle Management can improve your database development and delivery process, there’s no substitute for getting a Proof of Concept (PoC) up and running in your own organization. You can test out the tools over an extended period of time and give everyone in your team the chance to see the full value.

Why not learn from others who have done this before embarking on your own? Sjors Takes from Albumprinter has a great three part blog series entitled How I set up a PoC database deployment pipeline. Bob Walker’s Automated Database Deployments blog also gives a really useful walkthrough of the stages involved in setting up Redgate DLM at Farm Credit Services of America.

If you want to set up a PoC in your own team, get in touch with us at dlm@red-gate.com, and we’ll help you get started and make sure you get the most value out of it.

However you choose to approach the journey towards improving your database change management process, we’re here to help you and your team along the way.  We’re sure you’ll see that when you break DLM down into stages, it’s not always as complex as it first seemed.

To learn more about Redgate’s DLM solution visit www.red-gate.com/solutions/dlm.