Databases and Information Systems

This chapter covers the essentials of databases. This topic is very important now that we have the means to obtain so much information. There needs to be a way to organize and retrieve this information. Databases and Information Systems

The topics covered will be:  Database Concepts: The Essentials  The Hierarchy of Data  Introducing Database Management Systems (DBMS)  Types of Database Programs  Client/Server Database Systems  The Internet Connection: Going Public with Data Databases and Information Systems

Topics cont.  Information Systems: Tools for Global Competitiveness  Computerized Information Systems (CIS): Serving an Organization’s Needs  Understanding Complex Organizations: The Power Pyramid Databases and Information Systems cont.

Topics cont.  Chain of Command  Characteristics of Valuable Information  Computers in the Retail Sector Databases and Information Systems cont.

Database Concepts: The Essentials  Terminology  Data  Database  Database programs  Information  Information systems  Database management systems (DBMS)

The Hierarchy of Data  Terminology  Bit  Characters  Fields  Field names  Data Types- text, numbers, currency,logical  Large units of data – memos, objects, BLOBS  Records – key field  Data file-collection of related records  Database- one or more related data files

The Hierarchy of Data

Introducing Database Management Systems (DBMS) Database management systems are designed to help people work with all aspects of data.  Data Integrity  Data validation –define acceptable input ranges  Alphabetic check  Numeric check  Range check  Consistency check  Completeness check  Data Independence

Introducing Database Management Systems (DBMS)  Avoidance of Data Redundancy Data redundancy is a characteristic of a poorly designed system.  Data Security  Data Maintenance

Types of Database Programs There are two types of database programs:  File Management Programs  One file at a time  Flat files,  no linking

Types of Database Programs  Database Management Systems (DBMS)  Can link data from two or more files  Relational database  Data dictionary  Normalization  Object-oriented database- newest type  Objects  Can incorporate sound, video, text and graphics

Types of Database Programs  Data Warehousing  Supplements the database management systems of other departments  Drill Down  Data Mining  Data Marts – support one division

Client/Server Database Systems Database server Is a professionally administered program that runs on a LAN. To access the data users run a client program.  Called Client/Server systems  Use Query language- SQL

The Internet Connection: Going Public with Data  Web-database Integration A variety of techniques used to make information available through the Internet or intranet connections. There is high demand for employees with skills with Web servers and all aspects of database information systems.

Information Systems: Tools for Global Competitiveness Business information systems make key information available to employees, managers, and executives and they rely on databases.

Computerized Information Systems (CIS): Serving an Organization’s Needs  Terminology  System  System life cycle

Computerized Information Systems (CIS): Serving an Organization’s Needs cont.  Computerized information system (CIS)  Provides essential services  Collects critical data  Includes data, etc.

Understanding Complex Organizations: The Power Pyramid  Functional Divisions of an Organization  Finance  Marketing and sales  Human resources  Operations  Information systems

Chain of Command  Senior management  Middle management  Operational management

Chain of Command cont.  Management functions  Planning  Organizing  Leading  Controlling

Characteristics of Valuable Information Not all information is valuable, and too often we have more information than we can use. To be valuable information must be:  Accessible  Accurate  Complete  Economical  Relevant

Characteristics of Valuable Information cont.  Reliable  Secure  Simple  Timely  Verifiable

Characteristics of Valuable Information cont.  Techniques of Information Reduction  Control Methods  Routing  Summarizing  Selectivity  Elimination

Information Systems in Organizations: A Survey  Transaction Processing System (TPS)  Day to day accounting needs  Batch processing  Online processing  Reports  Summary reports  Exception reports

Information Systems in Organizations: A Survey  Management Information System (MIS)  Decision Support System (DSS)  Executive Information System (EIS)  Expert System  Utilize artificial intelligence  Create interactive systems  Knowledge Management System

Information Systems in Organizations: A Survey cont.  Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW)  Electronic mail  videoconferencing  Workflow Automation  Business Process Reengineering (BPR)  The use of information technology to bring about major changes and cost savings in an organizations structure.

Computers in the Retail Sector  At the Checkout Stand  POS terminals  UPC  Credit card authorization  Call centers  PDN-to link POS terminals