analyzing the use of databases

Analyzing the use of databases

Diamond Management and Technology Consultants (NASDAQ Ticker : DTPI ) uses various databases . Some of the most widely databases are Microsoft Access , SAS , Oracle . Oracle is the primary database for storing data whereas the other two databases are used for extraction and processing the data

Microsoft Access is used to store certain customer data . The amount of data that can be stored in this database is limited compared to an oracle database . However it becomes easier to use this database . The database is part of the Microsoft product

suite and can be installed at any desktop . It has found wide acceptance amongst users as some of the tasks such as importing data , generating basic statistics and exporting data is driven by menu driven functions . The database is compatible with various formats and flat s can be easily loaded . Delimited format support is available in Microsoft Access

Macros which are pre-designed programs can also be written . Macros can be written by using the coding language supported by the table . Various table options enable the organization to create need based databases The database can also be used to create a front end user defined format The user form can be programmed with codes to create an interface which has tables , action buttons , selection list and other feature that enable the user to have ability to manipulate the data

The SAS product suite is used both for database management as well as high end analytics . SAS can also be connected to the Oracle database engine by writing SAS macros which has a coding language that is different from the Microsoft Access . SAS is able to handle far more amount of data and it can be loaded onto a remote server from which multiple users can access it

SAS has various analytical packages that allow the user to leverage to data to drive business insight . The basic packages help generate statistical metrics and also reports that can be formatted as per the users need . The high end packages that come along with SAS can also enable organizations to perform segmentation , time series forecasting etc

There are various advantages and disadvantages of using one database vis-a-vis another . Microsoft Access is easier to install in terms of the processing capability and the memory used . It usually comes with the organizations license of the Microsoft product suite . It is far cheaper than other databases . It is compatible with other Microsoft products and online help and documentation is very detailed . Users also traditionally have had primary or in-depth experience in using Microsoft Access . User forms can be created that provide functionality such as action buttons selection fields , etc . that are not possible to an extent in the SAS product suite

The disadvantages of Microsoft Access are that it can handle limited amount of data . The amount of data and processing speed are related to the processing capacity of the computer on which the database is run However , the marginal utility of having a...