Chapter 7 : Storing Organizational Information - Database

Relational Database Fundamentals

• Database – maintains information about various types of objects (inventory), events (transactions), people (employees), and places (warehouses)
• Database models include:
• Hierarchical database model – information is organized into a tree-like structure (using parent/child relationships) in such a way that it cannot have too many relationships
• Network database model – a flexible way of representing objects and their relationships
• Relational database model – stores information in the form of logically related two-dimensional tables

RELATIONAL DATABASE FUNDAMENTALS

 -    Information is everywhere in an organization

-  Information is stored in databases

Ø   Database – maintains information about various types of objects (inventory), events (transactions), people (employees), and places (warehouses)

 -     Database models include;

Ø   Hierarchical database model – information is organized into a tree-like structure (using parent/child relationships) in such a way that it cannot have too many relationships.

         Ø  Network database model – a flexible way of representing objects and their relationships

        Ø  Relational database model – stores information in the form of logically related two-dimensional tables

ENTITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

-    Entity – a person, place, thing, transaction, or event about which information is stored

Ø  The rows in each table contains the entities

-    Attributes (fields, columns) – characteristics or properties of an entity class

Ø  The columns in each table contain the attributes

KEYS AND RELATIONSHIPS

-    Primary keys and foreign keys identity the various entity classes (tables) in the database

Ø  Primary key – a fields (or group of fields) that uniquely identities a given entity in a table

Ø  Foreign key – a primary key of one table that appears an attribute in another table and acts to provide a logical relationships among the two tables 

RELATIONAL DATABASE ADVANTAGES

-    Database advantages from a business perspective include;

Ø  Increased flexibility

Ø  Increased scalability and performance

Ø  Reduced information redundancy

Ø  Increased information integrity (quality)

Ø  Increased information security

INCREASED FLEXIBILITY

-     A well-designed database should;

Ø  Handle changes quickly and easily

Ø  Provide users with different views

Ø  Have only one physical views

§  Physical view – deals with the physical storage of information on a storage device

Ø  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

Ø  Scalability – refers to how well a system can adapt to increased demands

Ø  Performance – measures how quickly a system performs a certain process or transaction

REDUCED INFORMATION REDUNDANCY

-      Databases reduce information redundancy

Ø  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 SECURITY

-      Information is an organization asset and must be protected

-      Databases offer several security features including;

Ø  Password – provides authentication of the user

Ø  Access level – determines who has access to the different types of information

Ø  Access control – determines types of user access, such as read-only access

DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

-     Database management systems (DBMS) – software through which users and application programs interact with a database

DATA-DRIVEN WEB SITES

-       Data-driven Web sites – an interactive Web site kept constantly updated and relevant to the needs of its   customers through the use of database

DATA-DRIVEN WEB SITE BUSINESS ADVANTAGES

-         Development

-         Content Management

-         Future Expandability

-         Minimizing Human Error

-         Cutting Production and Update Costs

-         More Efficient

-         Improved Stability

DATA-DRIVEN BUSINESS INTELLIGENT

-         BI in a data-driven Web site

INTEGRATING INFORMATION AMONG MULTIPLE DATABASES

-      Integration – allows separate systems to communicate directly with each other

Ø  Forward integration – takes information entered into a given system and sends it automatically to all downstream systems and processes

          Ø  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

• Entity – a person, place, thing, transaction, or event about which information is stored
• The rows in each table contain the entities
• In Figure 7.1 CUSTOMER includes Dave’s Sub Shop and Pizza Palace entities
• Attributes (fields & columns) - characteristics or properties of an entity class
• The columns in each table contain the attributes
• In Figure 7.1 attributes for CUSTOMER include Customer ID, Customer Name, Contact Name
• Primary keys and foreign keys identify the various entity classes (tables) in the database
• 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
• Primary key – a field (or group of fields) that uniquely identifies a given entity in a table

• 

  Potential Relational Database for Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Egypt

Relational Database Advantages

• Increased flexibility
• Increased scalability and performance
• Reduced information redundancy
• Increased information integrity (quality)
• Increased information security

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

• Database management systems (DBMS) – software through which users and application programs interact with a database 

• Data-driven Web sites – an interactive Web site kept constantly updated and relevant to the needs of its customers through the use of a database

• Data Driven Web Site Advantages
• Development
• Content Management
• Future Expandability
• Minimizing Human Error
• Cutting Production and Update Costs
• More Efficient
• Improved Stability
• 
  
• Data-Driven Business Intelligence

Integrating Information among Multiple Devices

• Integration – allows separate systems to communicate directly with each other
• 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