| The database approach is an integrated approach. It is | | | | for keys). Where there is data application, the |
| intended to meet the information needs of all the users | | | | database itself enforces consistency. This eliminates |
| in an enterprise - be it at the operational, tactical or | | | | data inconsistency. |
| strategic level. It makes integration and sharing of data | | | | Integrated Data |
| possible in the enterprise. | | | | In a database, all the data are centralized and |
| Minimal Data Redundancy | | | | integrated. The data are organized into logical |
| In the database approach, data duplication/replication in | | | | relationships defined between related entities. This |
| minimized. Data from different department (application) | | | | makes it easy to relate data items in different tables. |
| are integrated into a logical structure and made | | | | For example, by using the product code stored in one |
| available to all departments. For example, personnel | | | | table, you can access the product description and |
| info such as name, address and telephone number, job | | | | price stored in another table. |
| and salary information only need to be stored once. | | | | Data Sharing |
| You don't have to key-in the same information several | | | | The database approach allows users from different |
| times. All department can access information in the | | | | departments to share corporate data according to |
| database according to their needs. The database | | | | their information needs. The degree of access rights |
| approach thus minimizes data redundancy. Entering | | | | given will determine what data each user can access. |
| and storing the same data just reduces data entry | | | | For example, a user in department may be allowed to |
| time and cost as well as conserves disk space. This | | | | access his department's data, but not data belonging |
| approach also eliminates data inconsistency as the | | | | to another department. This is possible because the |
| same info is updated and stored in only one place. | | | | database approach allows you to create different |
| Data Consistency | | | | views of the database for different users according to |
| By controlling data redundancy, data inconsistency is | | | | their information needs. |
| eliminated. Each data item appears only once (except | | | | |