Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
FOR EXAMPLE
Recognizing the Need for Administration
Lower-level DBMS products, like Microsoft Access, are specifically designed
to let users design and develop their own databases and simple database
applications. One reason for their popularity is that traditional corporate IS
departments are often slow to respond to users' requests for changes, even
changes that seem as minor as changing report options. Part of the prob-
lem is that “simple” changes often aren't that simple when dealing with older
mainframe databases and applications.
The result is that you have “pools” of data throughout the company. This
often results in both duplicated data and duplication of efforts, but this isn't
the only reason for wanting to maintain more centralized control over cor-
porate data. In fact, there are a wide variety of potential issues.
With individual databases, one person is typically responsible for the data
and its administration, such as it is. Data inaccuracies are common, result-
ing in different users generating different results from the “same” data. Data
updates occur in a haphazard manner, if at all, leading to business decisions
being made on out-of-date information. Backups are often an afterthought,
meaning that data loss is common. Also, most users don't give any thought
to security, opening the door to data theft and other industrial espionage.
One answer to these potential problems is to put all data, both central-
ized and decentralized, under one common management umbrella. This gives
you a way of setting standards for issues such as data backup and data secu-
rity. It lets you identify and consolidate duplicate data, reducing the effort
required to manage and maintain the data. With modern DBMSs like SQL
Server, it's even possible to integrate public and private databases. You can
keep a master copy of the data on a database server where it is properly man-
aged and maintained. Individuals can still have their own copies in local
Access databases, kept up-to-date from the master copy. This lets them have
the impression that they are in control over their own data and lets them
meet some of their own custom requirements, such as individualized reports.
SELF-CHECK
•
Compare and contrast data administration and database adminis-
tration roles.
•
List key justifications for dedicated administration personnel.
