iadevelopments are able to provide ground breaking database design solutions.
iadevelopments Database Solutions
iadevelopments provides bespoke database solutions for the automation of your business, we design solutions around your specific requirements and business model. Our aim is to boost your company’s productivity and profitability.
iadevelopments has developed bespoke database applications for many industries from insurers, underwriters, brokers, claims handlers, call centres, recruitment agencies and auction houses right through to manufacturing companies.
Database Design Basics
A properly designed database can provide your business with access to up-to-date, accurate information. A correct initial design is essential to achieving your goals in managing your business. Working with database designers and investing the time required to understand the principles of good design makes sense. In the end, you are much more likely to end up with a database that meets your business needs and can easily accommodate unforseen changes you may make in the future.
Finding & Organising Information to get Started
To find and organize the information required to begin to plan your database, start with your existing company records; for example, you might record purchase orders in a series of ledgers or keep customer information in paper files tucked away in a cabinet. iadevelopments recommends that you gather those documents and list each type of information shown (for example, each box that you fill in on a form). If you don’t have any existing forms, imagine instead that you have to design a form to record the customer information. What information would you put on the form? What fill-in boxes would you create? Identify and list each of these items. For example, suppose you currently keep the customer list on index cards. Examining these cards might show that each card holds a customers name, address, city, state, postal code and telephone number. Each of these items represents a potential column in a table.
As you prepare this list, don’t worry about getting it perfect at first. Instead, list each item that comes to mind. If someone else will be using the database, ask for their ideas, too. You can fine-tune the list later.
Next, consider the types of reports or mailings you might want to produce from the database. For instance, you might want a product sales report to show sales by region, or an inventory summary report that shows product inventory levels. You might also want to generate form letters to send to customers that announces a sale event or offers a premium. Design the report in your mind, and imagine what it would look like. What information would you place on the report? List each item. Do the same for the form letter and for any other report you anticipate creating.