¶ … Databases and Data Communications Understanding whether or not the need for a database exist occurs within several types of businesses at all levels. Several professionals have taken time to determine this need in order to improve operations within their operations. These professionals include educational institutions and doctors, as well as insurance companies. Databases are becoming a part of everyday living. There are several things a database can bring to a company which includes, efficiency and the ability to manipulate, input and use information. These benefits provide organizations with powerful decision making tools that aid in onscreen delivery and printed reports. Possessing a database management system is an essential tool in the ability of an organization to retrieve and store mass amounts of data at command. Although the possibility of a database being nothing greater than a time consuming expense, when used properly, a database can be an asset to any organization striving for cost saving and efficiency. Therefore, determining the need or desire for the database management system is essential to an organization.

Marketing Assistant Scenario

It is possible for a consumer electronics company to possess several product types, leading to numerous stock codes within their inventory. A company in this position shows a real need for a database management system when performing regular day-to-day operations. Regular day-to-day operations might not include functions or elements found in heading a booth at a trade show which may cause a little discomfort for a marketing assistant moving from the regular day-to-day operations. Either way, assuming the company may already function with a database could seem logical.

Database System or Excel

Greater thought into a database that already exist creates the need to know its capabilities. Considering a company already functions with a database, the obvious thing to do would be to create a new account for trade shows and move...

Once the trade show is over, unsold inventory could be transferred back to its original account. The only question created by this thought would be concerning the capability of the current operating system the company utilizes. This view shows the ability of the company to move products from one inventory account and orchestrate trade show shipment accordingly. The trade show operation gives the company the chance to sell their products. These sales create the need for the company to be capable of recording consumer information for delivery requirements as well as move components from the trade show inventory account to inventory sold. Tracking inventory would be come a need as a result of sales. Also, tracking personal information helps build a consumer relationship and keep up with warranty information. Name, address, phone number, and email are familiar types of consumer information collected.
If considering these functions and elements that are involved in the responsibilities of the marketing assistant, a database management system would be needed. However, the possibility of simply using a user-friendly designed Excel spreadsheet may be better for a marketing assistant operating a trade show.

Advantages/Disadvantages of using a Spreadsheet

Excel provides a wide variety of functions, formulas and techniques that can be customized within a spreadsheet. These elements can be essential when conducting a trade show . It is important for a marketing assistant to be familiar and comfortable with Excel just in case the need arises to add any fields to a spreadsheet during a trade show. Customization of data fields gives the user the capability of capturing all required elements and functions. Using too much time to design a spreadsheet and making sure all trade show employees get comfortable with it can be a disadvantage to using Excel. Redundant work is another disadvantage as once the info is collected into the spreadsheet at the trade show, it…