How to Use Database Builder and Why

For many companies, building a database seems to be a daunting task because they have to spend a lot of effort and time on database modeling, setup, and configuration. Nevertheless, small businesses have many options for creating custom and business-tailored databases with help of database builder software. For example, you can build a simple spreadsheet database file in MS Excel if you feel comfortable with this program. Meanwhile, there are much more sophisticated and dedicated applications that can help you build complete customized database solutions for managing all types of activity in your company.

Why Use Database Builder

CentriQS solution provides you the following advantages:

• Reduced operative expenses and time
• Accurate decision making based on historical data analysis
• User collaboration and data sharing capabilities
• Streamlined workflow management
• Report management capabilities
• Client relationship and contact management
• Predictive and forecasting capabilities

Steps to Building a Database

Building a database can be a presented as a process that consists of these basic steps:

• Collect business information
• Outline database structure
• Specify database objects

1. Collect Business Information

Every database starts with collecting a pool of data that describes your business. First of all, you need to analyze your business to identify and describe the key activities and their characteristics. For instance, HR management is one of the core business activities and can be described by such characteristics as employees, tasks, payroll, training, etc. Another example is project management. When you manage business projects you deal with budgets, deadlines, goals, performance, analytics, etc.

2. Outline Database Structure

At this step, you need to carefully analyze all information you collected and try to organize it hierarchically. The main idea here is that the hierarchy of your business data will help you lay out the structure of your database. Each level of the hierarchy needs to be specified and described in detail. Then main levels and sub-levels of the hierarchy outline database objects and properties.

3. Specify Database Objects

Next, you need to fill in your blank database structure with all relevant information that defines your business. Each object of your database needs to be specified by certain parameters, and also relationships or dependencies between all properties need to be established.

In particular, you can create properties for entities in your CentriQS database. Then you can set Data Type for each of the properties to set relationships. For example, for the entity 'Training' you can create the property 'Attendee' and then relate this property to the entity 'Personnel'. This relationship will let you add names of employees who attend training sessions.

After you complete all three steps you can save and commit all changes made to your database. CentriQS database builder lets customize your database by adding more elements including OLAP cubes, tables, workflows, enums. The powerful functionality of this business software makes it easy for you to create a bespoken and unique database that fits your business demands.

Ensure Data Consistency

Data consistency involves that each piece of business data is available for viewing for all users without distortion and loss. When your database is made right, every user gets a consistent view of the same data. To ensure the consistency of your business data, your database needs to satisfy certain constraints including accuracy, validity and integrity.

Database Accuracy

An accurate database is free of errors and is close to true information about a business. Database accuracy results from due diligence and depends on how well the data is collected and entered in the database. When you add new records to database, you need to be sure that these records are correct, up-to-date and relevant.

Database Validity

For example, CentriQS Configurator lets you validate and commit database changes without data loss. When you made updates to your database in Configurator, other users are unable to manipulate the database, so your data will be safely updated, and integrity will be ensured.