Who Uses SQL Server Management Studio and Why

Overview

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) can be used to do many database and server-related tasks with ease. It allows you to connect to SQL Server instances on-premises and in the cloud, as well as connect to many different versions and editions of SQL Server.

Explanation

Database Tasks Using SQL Server Management Studio

SSMS can be used to perform many database tasks, including the following:

1. Quickly create or modify SQL database(s).
2. Add database objects including tables, views and stored procedures.
3. Modify database objects including tables, views and stored procedures.
4. Test database objects using external testing tools.
5. Deploy databases to their respective onsite, remote or cloud based server environments.
6. Query database(s) to get results.
7. Optimize database(s) to improve response time.
8. Manage databases such as backup, restore, and maintenance plans.
9. Import or export data.
10. Generate database or their objects scripts.
11. Backup databases.
12. Restore databases.

Server Tasks Using SQL Server Management Studio

There are also a number of SQL server administration tasks that can be conveniently done by using SSMS including the following:

1. Connecting and registering onsite or remote servers.
2. Managing users and logins for both server(s) and databases.
3. Monitoring server activities through logs.
4. Monitoring database performance.
5. Monitoring SQL Server instance performance.
6. Replicating data (a methodology to ensure databases remain in sync with one another).
7. Dropping and detaching databases and file groups.
8. Scripting tools to write and run scripts to perform administrative tasks.
9. Automating database management activities.
10. Automating database maintenance plans.
11. Registering servers for managed administration.

SQL Server Management Studio Connectivity

The latest version of SSMS lets you connect to on-premises, remote, and cloud-based SQL databases and data warehouses.  The cloud-based SQL database is called Azure SQL database, and SQL database warehouse hosted on the cloud is called Azure SQL data warehouse.

Who uses SQL Server Management Studio

SSMS is used by a number of database professionals, including the following:

1. SQL Database Developers
2. SQL Business Intelligence Developers
3. SQL Database Administrators
4. Network Administrators
5. Database or Server Infrastructure Teams
6. Database Analyst Programmers
7. Data / Database Analysts
8. Network Security Professionals
9. Database testers including vulnerability testers
10. System Analysts
11. Database DevOps Engineers