Database Solutions

Any business activity that requires storage of information, and then retrieval of that information based on a lookup value, is most likely achieved with some kind of database implementation. Even if it is a contact list built into an email client, or data in a spreadsheet application which supports filtered row selection, it is effectively a database solution.

However, our business needs often outgrow the built-in data managing features of these convenient tools.

Formal database management system implementations, such as an MS Access database, SQL Server database, or Oracle database, become the preferred solution when the number of parameters, and their relationships with each other, become too complex to manually input, sort, filter, analyze, and report on. As shown below, a database also provides a practical means for exchanging data with remote clients via a Web interface.

A typical database application includes some kind of user interface for inputting data, searching for data based on criteria, and generating reports based on the extracted data. See the MS Office Automation page for a good example of a database solution.

This figure depicts both Web browser and Windows data entry forms being used to populate a database.

For example, in a Realtor listing application, database administration might be performed at the physical database site via a Windows forms interface, while real estate agents provide house detail records via the Web.

In this example, house hunters would access the information stored in the database using forms on a website.

The programming code associated with the forms causes the database to be queried, and Web pages are generated to provide the requested information and photos.
Small Business Software Applications can provide a database solution for your office or your distributed enterprise. Contact us to let us know what your data needs are, and we will be happy to work with you to provide a solution.