Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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
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
Slide 7
The Internet Connection: Going Public With Data
Slide 8
Advantages of Database Management Systems
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
Slide 12
Techniques of Information Reduction
Slide 13
Transaction Processing Systems (TPSs)
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)
Slide 16
Executive Information Systems (EISs)
Slide 17
Types of Decisions and Information Systems
for Managers
Strategic decisions
Organizational
Pyramid
Tactical decisions
Operational decisions
Slide 18
Knowledge Management Systems
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
Slide 21
Computers and Databases in the Retail Sector
Slide 22