1.0 Storing organizational information
Organizational information is stored in a database. Applications and program such as supply chain management systems, customer’s relationship management systems access the data in the database so they can consult it to answer query. The central concept of a collection of records or pieces of information. The most commonly used model today is the relational modal which represents all information in the form of multiple related tables each consisting of rows and columns. This model represents relationships by the use of values common to more than one table. Other models, such as the hierarchical model and the network model use a more explicit representation of relationships.
Relational database fundamentals is information in everywhere in an organization. Databases can be defined as maintaining information about various types of objects (inventory), events (transactions), people (employees), and places (warehouses). There are three types of databases model which is:
Hierarchical database model
Network database model
Relational database model
Hierarchical database mode is information is organized into a tree-like structure (using parent/child relationships) in such a way that it cannot have too many relationships. Hierarchical structures were widely used in the first mainframe database management systems. However owing to their restrictions, hierarchical structures often cannot be used to relate the structures that exist in the real worlds. Network database model is a flexible way of representing objects and their relationships. Where the hierarchical model structures data as a tree of records, with each record having one parent record and many children, the network models allows each record to have multiple parent and child records, forming a lattice n structure. Relation database model used in stores information in the form of logically related to two dimensional tables.
Entities and Attributes
Entities in storing organizational information can be defined as a person, place, thing, transaction, or event about which information is stored. A table in the relational database model is a collection of similar entity. Meanwhile attributes can be defined as characteristics or properties of an entity class.
Keys and Relationship
To manage and organize various entity classes within the relational database model developers must identify the primary keys and foreign keys and use them to create logical relationship. The primary key and foreign key can be defines by the following means :
Primary key – a field (or group of fields) that uniquely identifies a given entity in a table
Foreign key – a primary key of one table that appears an attribute in another table and acts to provide a logical relationship among the two tables
Example of Keys and Relationship.
2.0 Relational Database Advantages
From a business perspective, database information information offers many advantages
Including: Database advantages from a business perspective include
Increased flexibility
Increased scalability and performance
Reduced information redundancy
Increased information integrity (quality)
Increased information security
Increased flexibility
Databases provide flexibility in allowing each user to access the information in whatever way best suits his or her needs. The distinction between logical and physical views is important in understanding flexible database user views.
A well-designed database should:
· Handle changes quickly and easily
· Provide users with different views
· Have only one physical view
Physical view – deals with the physical storage of information on a storage device
· Have multiple logical views
Logical view – focuses on how users logically access information
Increased scalability and performance
A database must scale to meet increased demand, while maintaining acceptable performance levels
Scalability – refers to how well a system can adapt to increased demands
Performance – measures how quickly a system performs a certain process or transaction.
Reduced information redundancy
Databases reduce information redundancy
Redundancy – the duplication of information or storing the same information in multiple places
Inconsistency is one of the primary problems with redundant information
Increased information integrity (quality)
Information integrity is the measures the quality of information. Within a database environment, Integrity constraints are rules that help ensure the quality of information, integrity constraint can be defined and built into the database design, the database ensures that users can never violate these constraints. There are two types of integrity constraints which is:
Relational integrity constraints are rules that enforce basic and fundamental information-based constraints
Business-critical integrity constraints enforce business rules vital to an organization’s success and often require more insight and knowledge than relational integrity constraints
Increased information security
Information is an organizational asset and must be protected Databases offer several security features including:
Password – provides authentication of the user
Access level – determines who has access to the different types of information
Access control – determines types of user access, such as read-only access
3.0 Database Management systems
A database management system is used to access information from a database. A database management system (DBMS) is software through which users and application programs interact with a database. The user sends requests to the (DBMS) and the (DBMS) performs the actual manipulation of the information in the database. There are two primary ways that users can interact with a (DBMS) :
1. Directly
2. Indirectly
In either case, users access the (DBMS) and the (DBMS) accesses the database.
Database management systems (DBMS) – software through which users and application programs interact with a database
Data-driven Web Sites
Data-driven Web sites is an interactive Web site kept constantly updated and relevant to the needs of its customers through the use of a database.
Data-driven Web Sites Business Advantages
Development
Allow the web site owner to make changes any time
Content Management
A static Web site requires a programmer to make updates
Future Expandability
Having data-driven Web sites enables the site to grow faster than would be possible with a static site
Minimizing Human Error
A well designed data-web will have ‘error trapping’ mechanisms to ensure that required information is filled out correctly and that content is entered and displayed in its correct format
Cutting Production and Update Costs
A data-driven Web site can be updated and published by any competent data-entry or administrative person.
More Efficient
A data-driven infrastructure will improve the reliability and stability of a Web site, while greatly reducing the chance of breaking some part of the site when adding new areas.
Improved Stability
With data-driven Web sites, there is a piece of mind, knowing the content is never lost.
Data-Driven Business Intelligence
BI in a data-driven Web site
4.0 Integrating Information among Multiple Databases
Integration allows separate systems to communicate directly with each other. Without integrations, an organization will (1) spend considerable time entering the same information in multiple systems and (2) suffer from the low quality and inconsistency typically embedded in redundant information. While most integrations do not completely eliminate redundant information, they can ensure the consistency of its across multiple systems. An organization can choose two integration methods. The first is to create forward and backward integrations that link processes and the second one is Building a central repository specifically for integrated information whereby users can create, update and delete customer information database. As users perform these task on the central customers information database integrations automatically send the new or updated customers information to the other systems. The other system limit users to read only access of the customer information stored to them. Again, this method does not eliminate redundancy but it does consistency of the information among multiple systems.
Forward integration and Backward integration
Forward integration – takes information entered into a given system and sends it automatically to all downstream systems and processes
Backward integration – takes information entered into a given system and sends it automatically to all upstream systems and processes
Building a central repository specifically for integrated information
References
Baltzan , P., Philliphs , A., & Haag, S. (2009). Business driven technology. (2009 ed.).
New York,NY: The McGraw-Hill companies.
Sinkula, J. (1994). Market information processing and organizational learning. Journal of
Marketing, 1(58), 35.
