The most compelling business driver today is the Internet. Because there is so much information flying across the Internet, companies need databases that can store, retrieve, and manage other data types, particularly document, video, and sound.


The Database Management Approach
A database management system (DBMS) serves as a software interface between users and databases. This helps users easily access the records in a database. Thus, database management involves the use of database management software to control how databases are created, interrogated and maintained to provide information needed by users and their organizations.

For example, customer records and other common types of data are needed for several different applications in banking, such as check processing, automated teller systems, bank debit cards, savings accounts, and installment loan accounting. These data can be consolidated into a common customer database, rather than being kept in separate files for each of those applications.

Database management packages like Microsoft Access or MySQL allow end users to easily develop the databases they need. However, large organizations usually place control of enterprisewide database development in the hands of database administrators (DBAs) and other database specialists. This improves the integrity and security of organizational databases.

Back to top