Database Design

UDRI has been developing databases for over 40 years. Not surprisingly, today's databases are very different from those of 40 years ago.  For instance, today a well-designed database is usually based on a relational structure.  Relational designs, along with better hardware, the Structured Query Language (SQL), and improved database engines, have increased the performance of data queries.

Perhaps the most practical database advancement is the use of the Web as a query interface.  Such Web-enabled databases allow a central data repository to become a distributed resource through a common Web browser.  The following examples show effective ways a Website and a database can be used together:

• Data Collection -- A user registration form on a Website feeds a database that is used to perform statistical analysis of the collected data.
  
• Data Portability -- A company keeps customer contact information on the company server. When a secure Web interface is added, employees can have secure access to this same data from home and when traveling on business.
  
• Customer Service -- Customers would like to check the status of their order.  A Web interface to the company's work flow tracking system and database provides 24x7 service without a customer service clerk.
  
• Metrics and Micropayments -- A public relations firm that posts several press releases daily uses a searchable database of publications, tracking who is requesting them, and even charging the client each time one is accessed.
  
• Media Relations -- A university creates a searchable on-line expert database so the local media outlets can identify a person to call when researching a news story.

On-line databases are more common than people think. Check out these benefits and decide if a Web database is in your future:

• A Web interface can simply be added to an existing database to increase company or customer access to important data.
  
• Some sites can be reduced to as few as 5-10 pages when the main content pages are built "on-the-fly" from a database.  (The "Exhibit" portion of the Erma Bombeck gallery is an example.)
  
• Since databases are searchable, it is easier for site visitors to find what they need.
  
• Data collected and used by a Website can be used for other things like mailing lists, data analysis, etc.
  
• Different views of the same data, customized for different visitors, is one of the features of our college basketball site.
  
• Web forms allow data entry responsibility to be distributed to many people anywhere in the world.