Database Paper

Database Paper

Businesses throughout the world rely on data to carry out their day-to-day business practices. The data a company uses may include economic, demographic, financial, social, and business data. A company can access data through a database. "A database processes the data stored in its files and transforms it into usable information" (Roza, 2011, p. 6). Companies use a database management system (DBMS) to access and create databases. The subject to address is the database systems that SEFNCO Communications uses in its day-to-day business practices and an evaluation of their use.

SEFNCO Communications specializes in the design, construction, and maintenance of modern communication network and infrastructure for public and private sectors (SEFNCO, 2011). SEFNCO Communications has headquarters in Sumner, Washington with six branch facilities in Washington, Idaho, and New Mexico. SEFNCO's cliental include broadband, cellular, telephone, and cable television companies. SEFNCO Communications uses the Oracle 11g and the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise database management systems. SEFNCO employs two full-time IT personnel to manage and administrate its database systems.

SEFNCO Communications employs design engineers who use Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software to create design plans for its engineering projects. The Oracle database system is used by SEFNCO's design team as a cross-connect for dictionary files for an Auto-CAD system. The Oracle 11g database management system is employed on a virtual machine with dual CPUs and 6 GB of RAM. SEFNCO Communications uses the Oracle VM server virtualization software to manage and control the Oracle database management system. The Oracle 11g database management system is designed for grid computing. "Grid computing enables groups of networked computers to be pooled and provisioned on demand to meet the changing needs of businesses" (Oracle, 2011). The second database management system SEFNCO Communications uses is the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise system. SEFNCO Communications uses this system for internal Business Intelligence (BI) and for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system reporting. The Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 is employed on a physical machine with two dual core CPUs and 20 GB of RAM. This system integrates into SEFNCO's SharePoint Server and intranet sites. This integration allows users complete access to all company data pertaining to business intelligence. The Microsoft SQL Server 2008 system is the main database system for SEFNCO's ERP system. "Enterprise resource planning attempts to integrate all departments and functions across a company into a single computer system that can serve all those different departments' particular needs" (Koch & Wailgum,