Developing Database 1

Running head: DEVELOPING DATABASE DESIGNS

Developing Database Designs
Cody Mercer
CIS/205
November 16, 2010
Instructor Robert Fannin












Developing Database

2
Developing Database Designs
Databases play an integral roll in any form of a business administration. The ability to
store, access, retrieve, and implement data effectively and efficiently is at the heart of any
successful network infrastructure. The definition of a database can be summed up with this
statement presented by The UK Web Design Company (2003) website, Simply put, a database
is a computerized record keeping system. More completely, it is a system involving data, the
hardware that physically stores that data, the software that utilizes the hardware's file system in
order to 1) store the data and 2) provide a standardized method for retrieving or changing the
data, and finally, the users who turn the data into information (What is a Database?, para. 1).
With the incorporation of properly configured servers, professionally trained database
administrators, and up-to-date database software will be the key ingredients to any successful
enterprise.
Practice
The range of databases used within my workspace range from low-levels of importance
to crucial elements of data accessed during times of high-level operations. I work within the
confines of a highly controlled Top Secret clearance environment. To access information on
these databases one must possess a level of clearance designated by the Department of Defense.
The environment itself contains large amounts of communications equipment to include servers,
routers/switches, and other forms of computer hardware and software equipment. Turban and
Volonino (2010) claim that, Data centers need to insure the availability of power and provide
physical and data security. The newest data centers are huge and include temperature and fire
controls, physical and digital security, redundant power supplies such as uninterruptible power
sources (UPS), and redundant data communications connections (p. 102). The information
Developing Database

3
stated by Turban and Volonino (2010) would accurately describe the type of facility that I am
linked with.
Specific Database System
The exclusive types of databases related to my organization are as follows. We make use
of databases for the utilization of communications circuit name identifiers, router/switch
location and statistics, and employee recall information. Our database systems are centered on
the technology MDMs or, Master Database Management Systems. Twentyman (2007) sums
up the philosophy behind MDMs as, This is a practice and technology that aims to help
businesses improve data consistency and accuracy across all systems and divisions, and also
identifies and manages the complex web of relationships that often exist between disparate data
elements (p. 52). Moreover, military and civilian employees at my job facility will draft up
Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft Word formats for use of seemingly modest databases for trend
analysis purposes relating to explicit circuit productivity. According to Cegielski and Rainer
(2007), Moreover, industry analysts estimate that most of a companys knowledge assets are not
housed in relational databases. Instead, they are dispersed in e-mail, Word documents,
spreadsheets, and presentations on individual computers (p. 146). This is especially true in my
environment in the sense that the entire business structure is broken down into smaller segments
known as divisions, within these divisions we encompass information that is necessary only to
our reserved line of work within that division. Therefore, these low-level databases composed of
Excel spreadsheets are only necessary for divisional use and would be useless to anyone outside
of this realm.


Developing Database

4
Hardware/Software
Our network infrastructure involves several types of operating systems each using
definite database software and one primary brand of hardware servers. Dell computers produce
the particular mainframe hardware servers holding these software databases and file sharing
systems. We have multiple Dell servers each allotted to an exclusive operating system primarily
Windows Server 2003 and NT/XP, or an UNIX /Linux operating system. The two chief
database software systems running on our UNIX/Linux operating arrangement are Sybase SQL
Server and Oracle 9. These two UNIX software databases hold the circuit designator database
and the router/switch information database. The Windows section of our database system will
include the following programs SQL Server on our Windows Server 2003 system, and Access on
the Windows NT/XP side. The types of databases residing on these specific operating systems
are predominantly used for personal employee information. This will include recall information,
name, rank, rate, address, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers.
Improvement Possibilities
If I were to incorporate any form of improvements on my database systems, I would
want to reduce data redundancy, poor data control, and the inability to easily manipulate data.
Cegielski and Rainer (2007) make the assumption that, Data governance is an approach to
managing information across an entire organization. It involves a formal set of business
processes and policies that are designed to ensure that data are handled in a certain, well-defined
fashion (p. 145). Employing data governance will guarantee that all individuals accessing or
instigating database information are trained and knowledgeable in the appropriate protocols and
procedures for suitable database management. More important, depending on our fiscal year
monetary allotment, if it were cost-effective I would upgrade are UNIX/Linux operating system
Developing Database

5
from the current Oracle 9 database software to the new Oracle 11g. Additionally, our Windows
2003 Server system would be upgraded to the Windows 2008 R2. The newly updated database
software would in-turn lower storage costs, reduce the disk space requirements for data, and
improve overall application performance.
Conclusion
Databases are at the center of all commerce structures. Production and productivity are
based on the inspiration of communication and the ability to access data related to ones form of
business. Without a strategic method of implementation, access, manipulation, and retrieval of
database information a path to failure is imminent. Every company will be partial to certain
operating systems and hardware components. Whether one is Windows-based, Mac-based or
UNIX-based the importance of a legitimate and effective database management system will be
essential to any thriving and productive business operation.











Developing Database

6
References
Cegielski, C.G., & Rainer, K.R. (2007). Introduction to information systems: Supporting and
transforming business (3rd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sol, S. (2003). What is a Database?. The UK Web Design Company. Retrieved from
http://www.theukwebdesigncompany.com
Turban, E., & Volonino, L. (2010). Information technology for management: Improving
performance in the digital economy. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Twentyman, J. (2007, September 18). How to eliminate duplicated data. Computer Weekly;,
p. 52.