Data is at the center of today's applications; today's organizations simply cannot operate without data. In many ways, business today is data. Without data, businesses would not have the ability to manage finances, conduct transactions, or contact their customers. Databases are created to store and organize this data. The better the design and utility of the database, the better the organization will be positioned to compete for business.
Indeed, one of the largest problems faced by IT organizations is ensuring quality database administration. A survey of IT managers conducted by Information Week in December 2000 showed that the top two database management execution issues faced by companies are ease of administration and availability of qualified administrators.