Organizational Databases

Organizational Databases Randal Chatman University of Phoenix CIS 207 Information System Fundamentals Carlos Andrade December 19, 2011 Abstract This paper is designed to discuss the structure and use of a database system that is currently being used by a nationally recognized telecommunications and entertainment company. It will contain information about the specific type of database that is being used by this company. According to Webopedia, â€Å"a database is a collection of information organized in such a way that a  computer  program  can quickly  select  desired pieces of  data.You can think of a  database  as an electronic filing  system† (Database, 2011). Every company has some type of database system that holds information that needs to be accessed regularly by the employees to be used to complete a task or goal. There will be some recommendations of improvements to the company procedures of the use of the described database. Organizational Database Now that we are in the computer age we no longer need to use a pen and a sheet of paper to write down information that we will need to refer back to in the future.Nor will we need to use a filing system with folders and large clunky file cabinets to store company information. In today’s business world companies use databases to store company information and keep it organized. What exactly is a database? According to Webopedia, â€Å"a database is a collection of information organized in such a way that a  computer  program  can quickly  select  desired pieces of  data. You can think of a  database  as an electronic filing  system† (Database, 2011). Companies in today’s business world use databases to organize various types of information for the benefit and use of its employees to complete a task.In order for computers to access the database, it will need a database application. â€Å"A database application is a computer program whose primary purpose is entering and retrieving information from a computer managed database† (Database Application, 2011). There are several types of data base applications such as Microsoft Access, Oracle, and My SQL. Oracle is a database application that we will look at in a little more detail as it pertains to a specific department of nationally recognized business. Oracle has been around and creating database technology for over 30 years.When it comes to using Oracle with the department mentioned. It is mainly used to maintain and organize an inventory or devices that are being sold to the public. These devices include cell phones, tablets, computers, and a wide variety of accessories for the higher priced merchandise. Oracle keeps a count of the exact number of a particular product the department has. The products are organized in two categories. The first category is called serialized items which contains everything with a serial number. The serialized items are also the most expens ive items in the department.Of course all these items have a model name and number but in order to keep track, these items have sku number associated with them. The sku numbers in the serialized category all begin with a 6. This is a way to prevent confusion when it comes to what goes where. The second category is called non-serialized items which contains items without a serial number. These items are also assigned a sku number and these numbers begin with a 7 or a 4. The Oracle database is masked by the department’s point of sale system.This was designed so that there is a smooth communication between what is sold and what is still in inventory. The database system is a companywide used system and is also used to access inventories of various locations in order to transfer products back and forth. This helps when one location is out or has low quantities of a product and may need additional units. Of course there are times when all great database systems have issues that ma y affect the workplace. Because the Oracle database system runs behind OPUS which is the point of sale system it can affect potential sales within the organization.Serialized items cannot be sold when the database is down because the specific serial numbers must be removed from the system. Non-serialized items can continue to be sold because they are only counted by their sku only and there are not any specific serial numbers associated with those sku’s. A recommendation for improvement is to develop a backup database that will supplement when the main database crashes. By having this in place, it can improve the amount of down time that is associated with inventory count information.Businesses across the country are using databases to store company information and keep this information as organized as possible. Database applications have made this process easier by allowing these businesses to have access to the information they need daily. Though all businesses use database s for different reasons, databases are now a necessity for a successful organization to thrive in today’s business world. References Database. (2011). Webopedia. Retrieved from http://www. webopedia. com/TERM/D/database. html Database Application. (2011). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Database_application