Questions and Answers

Requirements

What are the minimum system requirements – at server level ?
What is the minimum operating system version on which I can run AimBetter?
Which versions of Microsoft SQL Server do you support ?
Does the AGENT add processing load onto the system?
What are the minimum system requirements – at server level ?
  1. Platform – 1 GHz Pentium® 4 CPU
  2. Memory – 1GB
  3. Hard disk space – 200MB
  4. NET – Minimum .net 4.5
  5. Operating system
    Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (64-bit)
    Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (64-bit)
    Microsoft Windows Server® 2012 R2 (64-bit)
    Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (64-bit)
    Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit)
    Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit)
    Microsoft® Windows® 10 (32-bit and 64-bit)
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32-bit and 64-bit)
    Microsoft Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit)
    Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit)
What is the minimum operating system version on which I can run AimBetter?

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 or later, or Microsoft Windows 10.

Which versions of Microsoft SQL Server do you support ?

SQL Server 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit) or higher.

Does the AGENT add processing load onto the system?

No, the performance of the AGENT does not add any significant load onto the server

Installation

How long does the installation take?
I completed registration but did not receive the 'License Key & Identifier'.
With which user do I need to install the system?
Is your data stored on my site? Should I allocate dedicated hard disk space?
Which ports should be open ?
How long does the installation take?

The installation takes approximately 15 minutes.

I completed registration but did not receive the 'License Key & Identifier'.

Please wait for a few minutes until you get the details you want. Don’t forget to check other folders in your email inbox, because the email may be diverted there at your end (e.g junk folder). If that doesn’t happen you can always contact us at [email protected]

With which user do I need to install the system?

For the AimBetter agent to be able to read your system’s metrics, the agent needs minimal READ-ONLY permission. Check our documentation regarding the creation of a user with minimal permissions.

Is your data stored on my site? Should I allocate dedicated hard disk space?

No, AimBetter agent is a ‘read-only’ function. All information is immediately transmitted over secure connection into our domain, so you do not need to assign any unique resources on your side.

Which ports should be open ?
  1. Enable port 1434 for UDP packets.
  2. Microsoft file sharing SMB: User Datagram Protocol (UDP) ports from 135 through 139 and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) ports from 135 through 139.
  3. Direct-hosted SMB traffic without a network basic input/output system (NetBIOS): port 445 (TCP and UDP).
  4. Open your SQL Server’s TCP port (the default is 1433, but make sure to select the actual SQL Server TCP port set in your system if different) and enable the following firewall programs:

Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)

Performance Logs

Alerts.

Security

Do you have ISO certificate?
Are you engage in regular risk audit?
What security measures and solutions are implemented to ensure the safety of your system?
Do you comply with GDPR policies?
Is there any data transmission from your servers?
Do you have ISO certificate?

Yes, AimBetter has the ISO 27001 certificate. ISO 27001 describes how to manage information security, incorporating the technical and operational requirements of other protocols, such as GDPR. Implementing ISO 27001 allows businesses to meet strict data security expectations and assure their clients that their data is protected.

Are you engage in regular risk audit?

Sure, we conduct annual Penetration Tests to ensure there are no vulnerabilities that could potentially expose your clients through your systems.

What security measures and solutions are implemented to ensure the safety of your system?

Our systems are protected by Cloudflare and continuously monitored with Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technology.

Do you comply with GDPR policies?

Yes, AimBetter follows the policies and regulations outlined by GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

Is there any data transmission from your servers?

No, all the transmission of data is one-way from our customers’ servers to our cloud, which guarantees no risk of potential breaches or penetrations.

Troubleshooting

I completed registration but did not receive the 'License Key & Identifier'.
I received an alert that the AGENT is not transmitting data - what should I do?
I have completed installation but I am not getting data, What do I need to do?
On the AimBetter panel, why do I have a red light on the SQL ?
On the AimBetter panel, why do I have a red light on the WMI ?
On AimBetter panel, why do I have a red light on the SERVER NAME ?
I have green lights on everything and I still do not get data, Why?
I am having trouble logging-in - can I reset my password?
I completed registration but did not receive the 'License Key & Identifier'.

Please wait for a few minutes until you get the details you want. Don’t forget to check other folders in your email inbox, because the email may be diverted there at your end (e.g junk folder). If that doesn’t happen you can always contact us at [email protected]

I received an alert that the AGENT is not transmitting data - what should I do?

Did you check that the AGENT service of the computer that runs the agent is turned on?
Sometimes it happens that the user with whom the agent connects is not an administrator or in the administrator group. Please check this and if still not working, contact us for help.

I have completed installation but I am not getting data, What do I need to do?

There are a few possible causes, so check these things:

    1. Are the details of the monitored server correct?
    2. Are all required ports open?
    3. Is there a block in the firewall?
    4. Is the user with whom the system connects in the administrator group?
    5. Is the bounce system on?
    6. Is WMI’s service on?
    7. Is there something blocking WMI out?
    8. Check that all the lights are green on the configuration system and then exit the app and wait about a minute to allow the data to sync with the system.
    9. If still not working, get our team to help you…our support people can advise you.
On the AimBetter panel, why do I have a red light on the SQL ?

This situation means there is a problem accessing the monitored server.

  1. Make sure the name entered on the system is the full name of the server or alternatively the IP.
  2. If the install is on local server – you need to enter dot (.) in server’s name position.
  3. Is there a block on the firewall?
  4. If the server we want to hop to is remote – is there access to the server?
  5. Is the server on the same DOMAIN?
  6. If still no go, get our helpdesk to advise.
On the AimBetter panel, why do I have a red light on the WMI ?
  • This means there is a permissions problem.
    1. Is there a block on the firewall?
    2. Is the WMI port open?

    Open POWERSHELL and type the following line: (In the curly brackets, type the full name of the server or IP address of the server):

    • Get-WMiObject -Class Win32_PerfRawData_PerfOS_System –ComputerName{computername or ip}If errors are seen, they must be followed:
      • If you receive an ‘RPC’ error, there is a firewall problem.
      • If you receive an ‘Access Denied’ error, it means that there are no WMI privileges on the monitored server (there is no firewall blocking).
  • If still not working, get our team to help you…our support people can advise you.
On AimBetter panel, why do I have a red light on the SERVER NAME ?

Red light indicates 2 possible states – INSTANCE NAME incorrect or SQL USER is not configured in SYSADMIN group.

Take these simple steps to find and fix …

    1. Does the user name and password you entered in the system have access to SQL?
    2. Make sure that the name entered on the system is the exact name of the INSTANCE.
    3. Then check that the user defined as SQL Data Maker is machine-level SYSADMIN – whether a system user is defined, or if it is a user from the SQL.
    4. Is the SQL Server port open?
    5. Are the SQL details correct?
    6. If it still does not work, talk to our support team for some help
I have green lights on everything and I still do not get data, Why?

First step is to perform a normal controlled exit from the app and then restart it. That should be enough.

If there is no data transmission yet, check the following: .

Does the user with whom we are trying to “execute” the agent have sufficient read and write permissions – that is, does it have enough administrator power privileges inside your domain. To find this, check if the user you have used to install the system is an administrator or member of administrator group?

I am having trouble logging-in - can I reset my password?

AimBetter sets high standards of security. In case you have lost your password, contact our support center and we will generate a new temporary one and email it to your registered address. Be sure to change it immediately.

Common

What are your main benefits compared to other monitoring tools?
I have multiple servers. Do I need to install AimBetter application on each one ?
Do we need special skills to work with AimBetter?
Can AimBetter alert me to an infrastructure problem or is it just for SQL?
Do you support all database management platforms?
Do you support any non-RDMS databases?
Is AimBetter data transfer limited to specific ports?
What happens after my support & upgrades package expired?
Do I have to pay for any software updates?
Can I upgrade my bundle after purchase?
How do I activate my products after purchase?
Can I purchase more licenses later?
What are your main benefits compared to other monitoring tools?

AimBetter was designed from the beginning to be a simple cloud-based SaaS that requires no resources on your end! Needs only read-access privileges to collect info about what is happening on your servers and has a small footprint that permits us to read system metrics and transmit the readings over a secure link into our own domain. Read more on our How we can help you page.

Other monitoring tools impose a heavy load on local domain resources – requiring both hardware for processing (memory, CPU, network and more), supervision (performance, backup, software updates etc.) , storage and maybe even additional licenses (OS, database etc.).

I have multiple servers. Do I need to install AimBetter application on each one ?

No. As long as all of your servers are on the same network and inside the same domain, you only have to install AimBetter agent on one server and it monitors all the others from there. This includes local and remote servers, off-site and cloud-based virtual devices.

Do we need special skills to work with AimBetter?

No, what’s great about our system! You do not have to be a DBA or IT specialist or someone with technological know-how – the system is easy to use and operate.

Can AimBetter alert me to an infrastructure problem or is it just for SQL?

We monitor the whole database environment, not just SQL. All the supporting infrastructure like network, storage, backups and much more is monitored and you are alerted to any problems in real time.

Do you support all database management platforms?

Not right now. We support SQL Server and Windows OS servers. In our immediate roadmap, we have MySql, Oracle MSDB, and Linux servers. 🙂 Hopefully, soon as possible!

Do you support any non-RDMS databases?

Right now, we support only RDMS databases – focused on Microsoft SQL Server but soon spreading to MySQL and Oracle in both Microsoft and Linux servers. Watch this space!

Is AimBetter data transfer limited to specific ports?

No. While the default is set to one port (1433) you can change that easily in the configuration on installation to any port.

What happens after my support & upgrades package expired?

As long you are subscribing to our service you will have a support team available.

Do I have to pay for any software updates?

Certainly not! That’s the great part of our service! You benefit from the upgrades happening all the time in our AI software, gaining from the experience gained by hundreds of our customers.

Can I upgrade my bundle after purchase?

Yes, you will only need to pay the payment delta

How do I activate my products after purchase?

After the purchase, the support team will contact you to guide in installing AimBetter agent on your chosen server.

Can I purchase more licenses later?

Yes. There is no limit to the licenses you can purchase.

Management

Why do I need AimBetter if I already have a different DB Monitoring Tool?
What if I have System Monitoring in my toolkit, do I still need AimBetter?
I already employ a DBA in my company
Right now, my system is performing satisfactorily.
My company isn’t so big that I need an advanced monitoring tool.
I have a backup server in case things go wrong.
I don't know if we have the skills to operate a sophisticated monitor.
I’m about to upgrade my servers to a new version so I don’t need your service right now.
I don’t need a monitoring tools since I have a hosting company that’s taking care of me.
I used to have monitoring tool but I never had to use because everything was OK, and I think we were paying for nothing.
I did a performance check 6 month ago and it was all good.
Why do I need AimBetter if I already have a different DB Monitoring Tool?

AimBetter isn’t just ‘another’ database monitor – it has many unique features that will outperform any competitive products. Most of our customers have tried or tested the competitors, and will tell you that AimBetter gives you better value for money, gives you a smarter and faster tool to proactively manage your whole database environment, not just SQL, and can offer the best backup and support service from our team of DBA specialists when you really need it – when things are going wrong!

And you don’t have to stop the old one. AimBetter gives you month-by-month SAAS so you are not locked in and need to make no up-front investment in hardware or software. And we are confident that comparing what we can do for you with what you already have, it will be our competitors that will lose you business!

What if I have System Monitoring in my toolkit, do I still need AimBetter?

Another system monitoring tool such as the common app called ZAPEX focuses only on system issues. Sometimes, the system issue is a symptom of SQL issue and not the main problem!!
By AimBetter monitoring tool we can indicate and focus on the cause of the problem, a “heavy” sql process can cause high utilization of CPU or disk or Network.

I already employ a DBA in my company

Surveys show that in a busy company, more than half of your DBA’s time and effort goes into troubleshooting – responding to, finding, analyzing and fixing problems. This means that the positive activities like upgrades, code improvement, new features and all the rest get left behind (or you have to employ more DBA people than you actually need). With AimBetter, you cut the unnecessary activity down to the minimum because we find the problems for you, and point the DBA straight to it with all the information he needs right there in front of him to fix it immediately.

Right now, my system is performing satisfactorily.

That’s great – right now! But do you really know what’s going on inside your server all the time? Is the performance only “all right” or is it optimal? All systems require regular maintenance – and our monitor will tell you what is happening in a simple, single overview. It can pick up all the bottlenecks, loops and stalls that are slowing the whole system down. Get better than “OK” – get the very best out of your investment in hardware and software by staying ahead of the curve!

My company isn’t so big that I need an advanced monitoring tool.

In fact, small companies are the most vulnerable to database problems because they lack the depth of in-house resources to find and fix problems, and the effects of major problems like crashes, missed backups, lost data, blocks and locks can have a much greater effect on daily operations. For the relatively small cost of AimBetter’s complete monitoring service, you get the equivalent of a full-time “virtual” DBA looking over your shoulder watching everything that is happening on-site.

Most important – AimBetter offers its services for a single monthly fee, available with no on-going commitment, and nothing to invest up-front. You get the benefits immediately, and can stop any time.

I have a backup server in case things go wrong.

A backup server can only be as good as the primary was at the time you backed-up. Any lost tables, missing or lost data, corruption and all the other problems that can disrupt your operations will be copied over with each update. The main benefit of the backup server is to give you continuity, not security. And there is always the extra problem of whether backups from primary to secondary are happening properly, regularly and completely.

A benefit of the monitoring is to show that the maintenance is happening and the backup server is functional and ready to work at all times.

I don't know if we have the skills to operate a sophisticated monitor.

AimBetter offers the support of our Expert Support team, which comprises experienced database administrators who specialize in every aspect of our product. We provide regular supervision of your AimBetter dashboard, to ensure that all data is properly collected, and can identify issues in your own environment requiring attention. From the beginning, your users who will work with the system will be guided by dedicated DBAs from our team who will go through the screens and tabs in the system, and give the necessary help.

I’m about to upgrade my servers to a new version so I don’t need your service right now.

AimBetter knows how to save you time – in this case we will do a snapshot of the server in the current state, and after the server transition we will test the performance of the new server to measure efficiency and improve performance to the highest and optimum level, and to compare past and future situations.

I don’t need a monitoring tools since I have a hosting company that’s taking care of me.

Hosting services are great because they take away your need to invest in infrastructure like servers, storage and networks and do basic services like backups and restores, but they are not SQL database experts and cannot tune your database, keep watch over performance and data integrity. That’s what AimBetter does, and we do it better that anyone else.

I used to have monitoring tool but I never had to use because everything was OK, and I think we were paying for nothing.

Having a good monitoring tool is like having proper insurance – you may feel you don’t really need it, only when you do need it, by then it’s too late, and you can have a disaster. AimBetter keeps you ahead of the trouble, keeps the whole engine running properly so the disaster never happens, but the money was properly spent because the alternative is much worse.

I did a performance check 6 month ago and it was all good.

Having a good monitoring tool is like having proper insurance – you may feel you don’t really need it, only when you do need it, by then it’s too late, and you can have a disaster. AimBetter keeps you ahead of the trouble, keeps the whole engine running properly so the disaster never happens, but the money was properly spent because the alternative is much worse.

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