I have noticed that many businesses use different types of databases to save and use the information they need regarding sales, supplies (inventory) and suppliers, marketing, and costumer information. Theses business, then, can share crucial information with other branches of the business. Also, through the databases businesses can create a better relationship with their costumers by offering better services and provide the services costumers need or want. A great example of how this works is the Smith's Supermarket. All the stores of Smith's offer a free card for discounts as costumers purchase products. To get such a card they ask you to fill out a paper with your personal information, which is stored in a computer. When a person uses the card after buy groceries at Smith's, the information of which of Smith's store you were and the products you purchased goes to a computer system. These information later is used to control product sales in each individual store, and what kind of products individuals from a specific area are buy most. Managers and business intelligence can later use their databases to more efficiently and quickly evaluate the information received and make strategic plans to accurately invest in market, and offer quality service and different products according to the need of each area stores are located. I can see how more effective business can be using databases, and I also can see so great efficiency as I have used databases to help me in my studies.
I always need to do researches for my English class. Libraries are a great source to help me on my researches; not only because of books that are available there, bu also because of the internet databases they offer. A few years ago when I was living in Brazil I went to a old library to do a research for one of my classes in high school. There was only book catalogs there, and database researches were not available. Even though I could use a book to find some the information I needed it would be much more efficient for my research purposes if I could use some databases I would be able to find specific information, online documents and encyclopedia articles. It is clear that the use of databases maximize the efficacy of my activities today and in the future.
As I desire to be an Executive Business Manager I realize that an intelligent use of databases will help me and my company to increase our productivity and our business in general. I see myself using data warehouses for the “manipulation of information to support decision making.” (Haag, Cummings, Phillips, 2007, 124) This kind of databases will help me as a professional to understand and create business intelligence (BI), and have an advantage in a competitive market ahead. As Doug Henschen said, “ Business Intelligence initiative continues to top CIO priorities, as executives from the boardroom on down demand better visibility”.
Another impact databases will have on me in the future is for the use of it in genealogy. I have always been interested in genealogy, and will need the great advantage databases give to me in my efforts to find my ancestors. Through databases available I can search documents, records, birth and death certificates, and many other types of information that will allow me, eventually, to find all my forefathers. This kind of databases are the most efficient way to assist me on the pursue of the names of my deceased family.
Overall, it is simple to see that databases in general are a wonderful tool to increase businesses efficiency as it does efficiently helps me through my education and ambitions for the future.
Sources:
Haag, Stephen, Maeve Cummings, and Amy Phillips. Management Information System for the Information Age. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2007. Print.
Henschen, Doug. "4 Technologies That Are Reshaping Business Intelligence." Informationweek.com. 29 Aug. 09. Web. 30 Aug. 09.
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