We’ve worked on SQL Server since 1999 — over 25 years supporting, tuning, fixing, building and migrating the databases businesses actually run on.
Most of the systems we look after weren’t built by us. They came from a supplier who’s moved on, an in-house developer who left, or an application vendor who’s stopped answering. We pick those up, keep them running, and improve them when you’re ready.
Based in Sheffield, working with clients across the UK and Europe. Nearly all of it done remotely, so where you are matters a lot less than it used to.
What’s the problem?
| If this is where you are | Start here |
|---|---|
| It’s down, or the database won’t come online | emergency SQL Server support |
| It’s corrupt, or a restore has failed | SQL Server repair and recovery |
| It works, but we need someone to look after it | SQL Server support and consultancy |
| It’s slow, timing out, or blocking users | SQL Server performance tuning |
| We’re on an old version and it’s out of support | SQL Server migration and upgrades |
| We’re thinking about the cloud | Azure SQL and SQL in the cloud |
| It won’t talk to our other systems | SQL Server integration and APIs |
| We need a new system building | SQL Server design and development |
| The application on top of it is the problem | SQL Server modernisation |
| We’ve inherited it and don’t know what state it’s in | SQL Server health check |
Still on SQL Server 2016 or earlier? It went out of support on 14 July 2026, which means no security updates on a business-critical system → what your options are
Services
SQL Server Support & Consultancy
Direct access to an experienced consultant. Troubleshooting, maintenance and ongoing development.
Find out more...Emergency SQL Server Support
Server down, database offline, business stopped. Ring, don't email.
Find out more...SQL Server Health Check
Independent review and written report — including backups tested by restoring them.
Find out more...SQL Server Performance Tuning
Slow queries, timeouts, blocking, indexes and configuration.
Find out more...SQL Server Migration & Upgrades
Version upgrades, server moves, consolidation and cloud.
Find out more...Azure SQL & Cloud
Which Azure option fits, what it costs to run, and Entra ID access control.
Find out more...SQL Server Design & Development
New systems, data modelling and application back ends.
Find out more...SQL Server Integration & APIs
Microsoft 365, Sage, barcode, websites and other business systems.
Find out more...SQL Server Repair & Recovery
Corruption, suspect databases, failed restores and data loss.
Find out more...T-SQL Development
Code tidying, analysis, documentation and stored procedure tuning.
Find out more...Why people call us
[IMG-1] — The credibility image. Person at a desk, or the Aizlewood’s Mill office. This block answers “are these people real”.
Alt: CDE Systems, SQL Server specialists, Sheffield
Over 25 years on databases specifically. Not a general IT company that also does SQL. Microsoft SQL Server, Access and the business systems built on them, since 1999.
We take on systems we didn’t build. No documentation, original developer long gone, nobody left who knows how it works. That’s most of what we do.
You speak to the person doing the work. No ticket queue, no first-line script, and the same people next time you ring.
We understand what sits on top of the database. Most problems that look like SQL Server problems turn out to be the application, the connection, the driver or the job that failed at 2am. Knowing both ends shortens the diagnosis considerably.
Public and private sector. Business, local government and central government since 1999, including NHS organisations.
We’ll tell you when to do nothing. If the system’s fine, or the fix is cheaper than the project someone’s quoted you for, we’ll say so.
how we work · about CDE Systems
Deciding about SQL Server
Not sure whether SQL Server is the right place for your data?
Why use SQL Server? — security, user numbers, speed, data volume, backups and automation, and where it’s overkill.
Coming from Access and wondering whether to move → Access migration and upgrades
Case studies
Aire Valley Catering: four mobile apps, an Access business system, and engineers with no signal
Engineers working on customer sites across the UK can't count on having a signal, and the job still has to be recorded. Four production apps across both app stores, an Access and SQL Server business system behind them, and a roadmap that keeps offline working rather than trading it away.
View case study →Dearson Winyard International: case management, reporting and a client portal
An immigration and right-to-work consultancy runs on documentation, deadlines and client visibility. Ongoing development and support keeps the case management system, management dashboards and client portal working, with staff onboarded in a day and issues resolved before they hold up a case.
View case study →Bolt & Nut Manufacturing: certificates, stock and live job tracking in one system
A growing UK fastener manufacturer was losing hours to chasing material certificates, checking stock by hand and waiting on reports. We extended their existing platform with stricter certificate controls, barcode tracking on the shop floor and a suite of Crystal Reports.
View case study →
Tell us about your SQL Server
What it runs, roughly how many users, which version, and what's wrong with it. We'll tell you what we'd do and what it costs — including when the answer is to leave it alone.
Send us the details → Call 0114 249 1036 →