The answer
is in the data . . . but you have to organise it first.
Why?
All modern
businesses rely to a greater or lesser extent on computer systems to manage
their data. Well designed data systems deliver productivity and thereby become major
engines for growth. Badly designed data systems have exactly the opposite
effect. You can run a business on a spreadsheet; but not for long!
How does a good
database deliver productivity?
Fast data
capture. You only enter the raw data; the database checks your
entries and then calculates secondary data for you. Default data is available
at entry time or related data can be copied, so that all you need to do is
edit.
Reliable
reports. Database reports are created and tested by expert
designers. They can reliably access all related data and assemble a complex
report that is right every time. Filtering for subsets and taking different
views of the data also becomes a reliable exercise.
The data
is centralised in one place. No more searching for that document that
has the latest sales figures. Everything you need is in the one central
database; simply ask for the sales report. Just as importantly, everyone in the
office can work on the data at the same time. Just one set of data – shared by
all.
Security
and stability. Good databases provide for access control using IDs
and passwords. Further, the database options available to any one user can be
controlled according to their ID. Most importantly, it is impossible for a user
to unwittingly (or maliciously) change the design/function of the database.
Spreadsheets or unprotected databases allow users to change formulae or layouts
etc. . . . with
potentially devastating effects.
It is
tailored to your requirements. Most ‘package’ software is database
software that tries to cover every requirement of the vertical market to which
it is addressed. This is extremely difficult to do; such that there are two
common side effects of taking this route, which combined, make the total cost
of ownership deceptively high.
There is a long (and expensive)
configuration and training exercise to go through before users are able to use the software with confidence.
Your ‘USP’ activity is probably not
adequately covered. Thus an expensive ‘add on’ industry develops around the
package to add missing functionality.
A bespoke
database avoids these problems. It restricts itself to your ‘USP’, your data
requirements and your terminology. Users will be able to drive it from day one.
It sounds expensive
The bulk of our work
for our clients in the financial markets comprised developing databases and
enabling communication between them and other data media. We have been
designing and linking databases for over twenty years. So we have learnt a lot.
In response to requests from SMEs in a variety of
market sectors we have evolved a database implementation procedure that brings
fully professional databases within the financial scope of any organisation.
The main planks of the system are:
We use the latest RAD (Rapid Application Development) tools from
We have developed a standard ‘shell’ into which we can plug your specific design whilst
retaining the regular features of the shell (like access security, emailing of
reports etc.).
Our long experience enables us to quickly interpret your business knowledge
and requirements into a correct database design.
Just ask
If you are
struggling with spreadsheets or an amateur database or an unwieldy package, all
you need to do is ask for a free, no obligation, assessment
of your requirements. We think you will be pleasantly surprised.