Databases and Information Systems

Database Concepts
Data is any unorganized text, graphics,
sounds, or videos.
A database is a collection of data.
Database programs enable people to add,
sort, group, summarize, and print data.
Information is data that has been processed in
a meaningful and useful way.

Slide 1
 The Levels of Data in a Database
The layers in a database are:
Bits The lowest layer made of 1s and 0s
Characters Letters, numbers, and symbols
Fields Areas that contain data identified by field names
(Examples: First Name; Address; City)
Records Contain a group of fields

Data files Contain related records

Databases The top layer made of one or more data files

(Example: ABC Company Address Book Mailing list, Employee
list, Vendor list)
Slide 2
 Data Type

Data usually consists of text, numbers, currency, and

dates.
Logical data Only yes or no answers are allowed
Objects Non-textual data
Binary large objects (BLOBs) Very large objects
Default value Pre-defined values such as todays date

Slide 3
 Types of Database Programs
File Management Programs:
Create flat files containing one file or table
Files can not be linked to other files
Are easy to use and customize
Are not as complex as database management systems
Database Management Systems (DBMS):
Contain multiple files or tables
Are programs that enable data to be stored, modified, and
extracted from a database
Are more difficult to learn than file management systems

Slide 4
 Relational Database Management Systems
Relational database management systems are the most
widely used type of DBMS.
Data in several files are related through the use of a
common key field.

Slide 5
 Data Warehousing and Data Mining

Data Warehousing:
Supplements DBMSs by bringing together all data into one
huge database
Organizes managements decision-making process
Uses a technique called drill-down to view performance
data of the entire company
Data marts support one division of an organization rather
than an entire firm.
Data Mining:
Is a data exploration technique
Is used to find unknown patterns of data

Slide 6
 Client/Server Database Systems

Data server Professionally administered program

that runs on a local area network (LAN). It responds
to requests for data.
Client A user-friendly program that accesses the
server. Users can add data, maintain records, perform
queries, and generate reports.
Clients request data using a query language called
Structured Query Language (SQL).

Slide 7
The Internet Connection: Going Public With Data

Web-based integration is the latest trend in database

software.
Information is stored in databases that are available
through the Internet.

Slide 8
Advantages of Database Management Systems

The areas of importance for building a quality

database are:
Data
Dataintegrity
independence
Data
Data
Avoidance
security
is
maintenance
the refers
validity
ofisdata
the
toof
refers
howthe
Data integrity data. to
redundancy
data is storedthe
soprocedures
unavailability refers
that it can
of forto
data
be used
to
Data independence Data validation
adding,
avoiding
with different
people defines
updating,
types
who the repetition
acceptable
ofwould and
application
misuse of
input ranges
programs.
Avoidance of data redundancy deleting
data.
it. for each
records.
field.
Types of data
Datavalidation
is also protected
are: from
Data security Alphabetic
loss due tocheck
equipment
Data maintenance Numeric
failure.check
Range check
Consistency check
Completeness check

Slide 9
 Information Systems: Tools for Global
Competitiveness
An information system is designed to bring data,
computers, procedures, and people together to manage
information important to an organizations mission.
To be valuable, information must be:
Accessible Reliable
Accurate Secure
Complete Simple
Economical Timely
Relevant Verifiable

Slide 10
Functional Divisions of an Organization

Slide 11
 Computerized Information Systems

A computerized information system (CIS):

Includes data, hardware, software, trained personnel, and
procedures
Collects critical data, processes the data, stores the data,
and disseminates information throughout the organization
Provides essential services to organizations, including
processing transactions and keeping exact records

Slide 12
 Techniques of Information Reduction

Controlling information is important to keep people

from being overwhelmed by it.
Control methods in an information system include:
Routing information
Summarizing information
Enabling selectivity
Eliminating unnecessary information

Slide 13
 Transaction Processing Systems (TPSs)

TPSs handle an organizations accounting needs.

Early TPSs used batch processing systems.
Online processing consists of entering transaction
data and viewing the results immediately.
TPSs enable managers to make operational
decisions.
TPSs can produce summary and exception reports.

Slide 14
 Management Information Systems (MISs)
MISs are computer-based systems that support the
information needs of different levels of management.
MISs help management make informed tactical
decisions.
MISs work with transaction processing systems.
MISs inform managers if their goals are being met.
Drawbacks of MISs:
Reports may contain unwanted information
Information may not be available when needed
Reams of printouts

Slide 15
 Decision Support Systems (DSSs)

DSSs enable managers to ask questions that cant be

answered by MIS reports.
Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) enables
managers to import up-to-the-minute reports from
transaction databases.

Slide 16
 Executive Information Systems (EISs)

EISs are also known as executive support systems

(ESSs).
EISs support strategic decisions made by top level
management that will affect the entire company.
EISs filter critical information so that trends are
apparent.

Slide 17
Types of Decisions and Information Systems
for Managers

Strategic decisions
Organizational
Pyramid
Tactical decisions

Operational decisions

Slide 18
 Knowledge Management Systems

Knowledge management systems are used to

capture knowledge created by employees and make it
available when needed.

Slide 19
 Expert Systems
Expert systems are systems that deal with expert
knowledge in a particular area.
Expert systems:
Help in making decisions
Use artificial intelligence principles
Provide technical support for customers

Slide 20
Computers and Databases in the Retail Sector

Computers and databases are used for the checkout

process and strategic purposes.
At the checkout counter:
Point of sale terminals are replacing the cash register.
Optical scanners read the universal product code (UPC)
label that identifies items, their costs, and any sale prices.
Credit card authorization terminals are used to process
credit card transactions by placing a call to a call center
which provides authorization numbers.

Slide 21
 Computers and Databases in the Retail Sector

At the checkout counter (continued):

Check-screening systems read the checks account
number, then compare it with delinquent accounts.
Signature capture systems capture a customers signature
on a pressure sensitive pad.
Photo checkout systems display a customers photo when
a credit card is used.

Slide 22