Database Reference
In-Depth Information
drawals, deposits, money transfers, and so on. For each type of organization, the
database in that organization gathers data about its pertinent objects.
Data for business processes.
It is worthwhile to repeat that the database stores
data for the purpose of being useful for completing the business processes of the
organization. Where are the data stored for completing a reservation of an airline
seat? Where are the data stored for completing an auto insurance claim? Where are
the data recorded for completing stocktaking in an industrial warehouse? In the
databases of the respective organizations.
Suitable for all user levels.
The database in an organization stores data in various
summary and detailed formats suitable for users at the operational, supervisory, and
executive levels.
Valid and consistent data.
Data stored in a database are free from duplications and
inconsistencies. The database keeps a data element in only one place. Every data
element conforms to established standards and conventions. Thus the organization's
database holds valid and consistent data.
Easily accessible data.
Data in the enterprise database are meant for sharing
among various groups of users. Therefore, the database keeps data as easily acces-
sible to all groups as possible.
Secure data.
Database administrators carefully safeguard the enterprise database
because information contained in it forms a key corporate asset. The database,
therefore, stores data in a secure and protected environment.
Scalable and expandable.
As the number of users and the usage increase, the data-
base can be expanded in size. Also, storage can be scaled up to faster and more
sophisticated media.
Information Delivery
You do not store data in your organization's database to preserve it and keep it safe
in a protected environment. Of course, your users value the information greatly and
would like the database storage to be guarded well. Nevertheless, a database exists
for the purpose of delivering information to the users to conduct their day-to-day
operations and perform their business processes. Proper information delivery is
crucial to these processes.
The enterprise database system plays a significant role in delivering information
to user groups. It has to make information available in the ways users want it, in the
places they need it, and for the purposes for which they require it. Note the fol-
lowing points with regard to information delivery and the role of the database
system.
One place for information.
Unlike earlier file-oriented systems, a database system
sets up one place from which information may be fetched or delivered. The data-
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