Dbm 380 - Database Design Paper

Database Design Paper

Janet Smith

DBM/380 - Database Concepts

May 24th, 2010

Colleen McAllister

Database Design Paper

In today's society, there is an ever growing demand for new age innovations for companies that rely on the vast technologies used for Database Management Systems (DBMS). Due to market needs, companies are more apt to effectively executing the use of these database management systems to assist with their daily operations. The DBMS are packaged or tailored for each business to meet the end user's goal to increase profit and productivity. The Department of Defense's military retail store, The Exchange, formerly known as the Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) is one of many business that use DBMS. The Exchange operates its Firearms business using Nomad software in Mainframe Host on Demand (HOD) through Oracle database; Oracle Relational Database Management System (RDBMS).

According to Chapple (2012), "Oracle is a powerful relational database management system that offers a large feature set. Along with Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle is widely regarded as one of the two most popular full-featured database systems on the market today" (para. 1). The Oracle RDBMS has allowed the Firearms Department to streamline weapon information regarding make, model, serial number, type, caliber, distributor name and etc. In the past, researching information regarding weapons was manual labor and they were filed away chronologically in manila folders for storage in a trailer separate from the building. To review an invoice history the file would have been manually checked out, like a book, and reviewed. The process of checking out the file could take hours or days. The automated system stored information and records of weapons electronically. In result, these records were more easily accessible and viewable in a matter of seconds, saving valuable time.

When weapon shipments arrived and they needed to input the information into the system, it would have been a local item add. This means that were created and produced in a fraction of the time. Once the employee file was completed, personnel actions can be created, saved, and easily printed. In the past, manually typing each new personnel action took too much time to complete. In addition, paper copies would need to be distributed to various offices, such as the payroll office, in order for the personnel actions to take effect. The DCPDS saves time by interfacing with various agencies and offices. Personnel actions, such as pay increases, are now electronically submitted to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and processed saving