HEPL 3110: Computer Applications to Purchasing & Supplies Mgt Lecturer: Fredrick A. Odero Mobile:

Lecture III Contents Data Management in the Traditional File Environment Problems with the Traditional File Environment Database Approach to Data Management (Practical) 2

Organizing Data in the Traditional File Environment An effective IS provides users with accurate, timely, and relevant information. -Accurate information is free of errors. -Information is timely when it is available to decision makers when it is needed. -Information is relevant when it is useful and appropriate for the types of work and decisions that require it. You might be surprised to learn that many businesses don’t have timely, accurate, or relevant information because the data in their IS have been poorly organized and maintained. 3

Organizing Data in the Traditional File Environment…Contd It is for the above reason that data management is so essential. To understand the problem, lets look at how IS arrange data in computer files and traditional methods of file management. 4

The Data Hierarchy 5

Problems with the Traditional File Environment Data Redundancy and Inconsistency -Duplicate data in multiple data files, redundancy also leads to inconsistency where the same attribute may have different values. Program-Data Dependence -Coupling of data stored in files and the specific programs required to update and maintain those files such that changes in programs require changes to the data. Lack of flexibility -Cannot deliver ad hoc reports or respond to unanticipated information requirements in a timely fashion. 6

Problems with the Traditional File Environment Poor Security -Because there is little control or management of data, access to and dissemination of information may be out of control. Management may have no way of knowing who is accessing or even making changes to the organization’s data. Lack of Data Sharing and Availability -Because pieces of information in different files and different parts of the organization cannot be related to one another, it is virtually impossible for information to be shared or accessed in a timely manner. 7

Practical: Database Approach to Data Management We will use Oracle 10g XE RDBMS to demonstrate the database approach to data management. 8

END OF LECTURE III See You Next Week! 9

Introduction to Database Systems Definition and Introductory Concepts. 10

THE END END OF TODAY’S LECTURE! 11