Chapter 7

Storing Organizational Information - Databases

McGraw-Hill/Irwin

2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, All Rights Reserved

Learning Outcomes
7.1 Define the fundamental concepts of the relational database model 7.2 Evaluate the advantages of the relational database model 7.3 Compare relational integrity constraints and business-critical integrity constraints
7-2

Learning Outcomes
7.4 Describe the benefits of a data driven Web site 7.5 Describe the two primary methods for integrating information across multiple databases

7-3

Relational Database Fundamentals

Information is everywhere in an organization Information is stored in databases
Database maintains information about various types of objects (inventory), events (transactions), people (employees), and places (warehouses)
7-4

Relational Database Fundamentals

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
7-5

Entities and Attributes

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 Daves 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
7-6

Keys and Relationships

Primary keys and foreign keys identify the various entity classes (tables) in the database
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
7-7

 Potential relational database for Coca-Cola

Keys and Relationships

7-8

Relational Database Advantages

Database advantages from a business perspective include
Increased flexibility Increased scalability and performance Reduced information redundancy Increased information integrity (quality) Increased information security

7-9

Increased Flexibility
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
7-10

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

7-11

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

7-12

Increase Information Integrity (Quality)

Information integrity measures the quality of information Integrity constraint rules that help ensure the quality of information
Relational integrity constraint Business-critical integrity constraint

7-13

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
7-14

Database Management Systems

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

7-15

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 a database

7-16

Data-Driven Web Site Business Advantages

Development Content Management Future Expandability Minimizing Human Error Cutting Production and Update Costs More Efficient Improved Stability
7-17

Data-Driven Business Intelligence

BI in a data-driven Web site

7-18

Integrating Information among Multiple Databases

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
7-19

Integrating Information among Multiple Databases

Forward integration

7-20

Integrating Information among Multiple Databases

Backward integration

7-21

Integrating Information among Multiple Databases

Building a central repository specifically for integrated information

7-22

OPENING CASE STUDY QUESTIONS It Takes A Village to Write an Encyclopedia

1. Identify the different types of entity classes that might be stored in Wikipedias database 2. Explain why database technology is so important to Wikipedias business model 3. Explain the difference between logical and physical views and why logical views are important to Wikipedias customers
7-23

CHAPTER SEVEN CASE Keeper of the Keys

Almost 90 million people had their personal information stolen or lost by organizations
Bank of America: 1.2 million customers CardSystems: 40 million customers Citigroup: 3.9 million customers DSW Shoe Warehouse: 1.4 million customers. TJX Companies: 45.6 million customers Wachovia: 676,000 customers
7-24

Chapter Seven Case Questions

1. How many organizations have your personal information, including your Social Security number, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers?

2. What information is stored at your college? Is there any chance your information could be hacked and stolen from your college?
3. What can you do to protect yourself from identity theft?
7-25

Chapter Seven Case Questions

4. Do you agree or disagree with changing laws to hold the company where the data theft occurred accountable? Why or why not? 5. What impact would holding the company liable where the data theft occurred have on large organizations?

6. What impact would holding the company liable where the data theft occurred have on small business?
7-26