Summary

Creating database maintenance plans helps reduce wasted data collection efforts and makes database maintenance tasks easier overall. As part of any database maintenance plan, you should conduct an inventory of and document your data, take stock of your computer hardware, and plan for disaster recovery efforts in the event of natural disaster or theft.

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 provides graphical tools that can help you document, backup, restore, and optimize your SQL Server databases through automatic, scheduled maintenance. Microsoft Access provides graphical tools such as the Table Analyzer Wizard, the Performance Analyzer, and the Compact And Repair command that can help you optimize and repair your Access databases. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services provides graphical tools to help you archive, restore, and process OLAP cubes on a regular schedule.