Center for Business, Industry & Labor

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Saving $$ on Database Designs

The word database can send cold shivers down your back. If you are an end user, database work is usually described in terms like "tedious," "repetitive," or even "stupid." An IT manager may refer to databases as "expensive," "EXPENSIVE," or even "REALLY EXPENSIVE." Whatever your perspective or preconceptions, databases are an integral part of our daily lives.

A database is really just a storage bin for information. At work you probably interact with several databases everyday. Some function effectively and others may lack features or fail to properly address the problem. Rather than address the shortcomings of existing systems, let's look at a database from a design perspective.

If you had to decide what data to store, how would you do it? If there is already a system in place, ignore it. Don't be distracted by decisions made years ago based on situations that have already changed. Just brainstorm it. Gather up every piece of paper that is centered around a given task. Make a flow chart of the work process and how the various pieces of paper are effected by the work flow. If you don't like flow charts, call it a diagram instead-just get something down on paper and be sure to ask for input from anyone remotely involved in the work flow.

My point is that much time should be spent planning what to store before deciding which tool to use in actually storing it. There are advantages and disadvantages to every data storage product. You will not know how to evaluate these unless you have a good idea of the type and quantity of data to be stored.

At this point you may want to involve outside help. Whether the assistance is from your own IT department or an outside consultant, you have already saved money. Doing this "spade work" has forced you to consider the issue in detail. Your outside help will also need to do this, but you'll have the information at hand, saving valuable time. In addition, going through the work flow again with the consultant will force a final walk-through, possibly exposing items previously missed.

Submitted by Bob Ryan, CBIL Technology Instructor, Consultant, and Happy Database Designer

If you are struggling with a database issue, call Judy Koenig, CBIL Project Manager, at 314.539.5360.

Great New Tech Stuff for the Non-Technical

1. New laptop bags for travel
   Tired of taking your laptop out for the TSA security check at the airport? The TSA is working with laptop bag manufacturers to create "checkpoint friendly" bags that would allow your laptop to remain inside the case. Most of these cases unfold in a butterfly or tri-fold manner, so that the laptop is in a compartment by itself with no pockets or fasteners. This allows the laptop and bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt.
   
   The new TSA procedures for "checkpoint friendly" bags took effect on August 16. You can get one of these TSA-approved bags from companies such as Mobile Edge, Skooba Design "Checkthrough" and Targus Inc. "Zip-Thru." Unfortunately, even with one of these new bags you may still be singled out for additional checks: Given TSA's use of random screening protocols, TSA reserves the right to re-screen any bag or laptop regardless of the design of the bag.

2. Copy movies and TV shows to your iPod
   Do you want a simple way to copy movies and TV shows to your Apple iPod video or other portable media device? Then check out the "Pinnacle Video Transfer" (about $100). No computer needed, no software to install - simply plug in any analog video source (like a TV, VCR or DVD player) and record straight to a USB device (such as an Apple iPod video or nano, Sony PSP, USB hard drive or flash memory stick). Press the Record button and video is recorded to the USB device in digital video format. You can select a quality of "Good", "Better" or "Best." "Better" seems to provide the best trade-off in quality and file size. Now you can watch those old Seinfeld episodes anytime, anywhere!

3. New cordless laser mouse
   Most laptop users prefer using a mouse over the touchpad. But it's hard to move a laptop and mouse from room to room, and the mouse cord or wireless plug-in receiver always seems to be in the way. The new "Logitech V550 Nano cordless laser mouse" (about $50) solves both these issues. It comes with a "Clip-and-Go dock" to easily attach it to your laptop for carrying from room-to-room, and a "Plug-and-Forget Nano-receiver" that's so tiny you don't have to ever remove it from your laptop. With up to 18 months of battery life, a multi-mode scroll wheel, an extra-reliable signal strength, and compatiblity with both PC and Mac computers, this is the current state-of-the-art mouse for laptop computers.