Chapter 11: Database and Information Systems PDF

Chapter 11 Behind the scenes: Database and Information system Database building blocks Database: a collection of related data which can be stored, sorted, organized queried ○ Database make data more meaningful and useful ○ Databases turn data into information Data...

Chapter 11 Behind the scenes: Database and Information system Database building blocks Database: a collection of related data which can be stored, sorted, organized queried ○ Database make data more meaningful and useful ○ Databases turn data into information Data has been created Stores generated data and that enables that data to be Advantages of Using Databases ○ Can manage large amounts of data efficiently ○ Make information sharing possible ○ Promote data integrity Data integrity The data is accurate and reliable. Data centralization goes a long way toward ensuring data integrity Disadvantages of databases ○ Can be more time-consuming and expensive to set up and administer ○ Care is needed to insure they function as intended ○ Administrator is responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining databases Database Administrator (DBAs) Review and manage data on an ongoing basis to ensure the data is flowing smoothly into and out of the database Planning and creating the database: How data tables are created ○ Step 1: Input unique field names ○ Step 2: Define the data type ○ Step 3: Set maximum field size ○ Step 4: Set a default value if necessary ○ Repeat for each field in the table Default value The value the database automatically uses for the field unless the user enters another value Database types Three major types of databases are: ○ Relational ○ Object-oriented ○ Multidimensional Relational databases are the most commonly used Database types: Relational databases Organizes data in table format Logically groups similar data into a relation Common field in one table (primary key) linked to common field (foreign key) in second table Need to keep data in related tables synchronized Database types: Object-Oriented databases Store data in objects rather than tables Contain methods for processing or manipulating Can store more types of data that relational databases Can access data faster Database types: Multidimensional databases Stored data can be analyzed from different perspectives (dimensions) Relational database has only two dimensions (fields and records) Multidimensional databases organize in cube format Database Functions Functions ○ Populate the database by creating records ○ Allow users to extract subsets of data from the database ○ Output the data in a meaningful and presentable format Data Warehousing and storage: Data Warehouse Large-scale collection of data Contains and organizes data in one place Data comes from multiple databases Consolidates information from various systems Presents enterprise-wide view of operations Data Warehouse A large scale collection of data that contains and organizes in one place all data from an organization’s multiple databases Business Intelligence Systems Software-based solutions to gather and analyze information ○ Deliver up-to-the-minute data Integral because they store the functional information ○ All perform similar functions Information system A software based solution used to gather and analyze information Integral parts of Databases, data warehouse, and data marts they store the information that makes Information system information system functional Business Intelligence Systems: Office Support system What an office support system accomplishes: ○ Office support system (OSS): is designed to improve communications and assist employees in accomplishing tasks Business Intelligence Systems: Transaction-processing systems Batch processing ○ Data is accumulated, then several transactions are processed at once ○ Appropriate for activities that are not time-sensitive ○ Often more efficient Batch processing Transaction data is accumulated until a certain point is reached, and then several transactions are processed at once Business Intelligence Systems: Management Information Systems Management Information System (MIS) ○ Provides timely and accurate information ○ Enables managers to make critical decisions ○ Direct outgrowth of TPS ○ Powerful if organized and outputted in useful form ○ Often included as feature of TPS Can generate various reports MISes generate three 1. Detail report types of reports 2. Summary report 3. Exception report Business Intelligence Systems: Decision Support Systems Decision support system (DSS) ○ Another type of business intelligence system ○ Designed to help managers develop solutions for specific problems ○ Uses information from databases and data warehouses ○ Users can add own insights and experiences to solution Data mining: process by which great amounts of data are analyzed and investigated. The objective is to spot significant patterns and trends that would not be obvious