Mega databases are changing the world: businesses benefit from emerging technology.

• Author: McCorkle, Vern

Introduction: Vern McCorkle

This is the fourth in a series of Executive Forum sessions on the Knowledge Economy. This time, we examined the use of mega databases and addressed theories such as: What technology has built mega databases? What techniques organize and manipulate them? How have we used huge amounts of data to improve the way we live and work? What are the skills we need to operate in this data-hungry environment?

Thomas R. Case, Dean, UAA College of Business and Public Policy

Knowledge is not an either/or choice between a resource-based economy and a knowledge-based economy. Technology and information processing enable resource management. In my lifetime, we have moved from mechanical technology, like the old Underwood typewriter, through the IBM Selectric that had a correction feature, to systems that translate voice into written text. The rate of change is mind numbing. Innovation opens a wider capacity for data collection and management. The mega data capacity uses the power of information management to expedite solving business problems and offers a wide array of ways to add value to the system.

Dr. Mini Yen, Ph.D UAA CBPP Basic Issues of Database Design

"Garbage in = garbage out" is the most important concept to learn. Basic design of a database is critical for the successful operation of the entire system. Two kinds of database management systems address the design of the database, manage and administer the data and establish appropriate security systems.

First, online transaction databases are for day-to-day transactions in real time. It is important to adapt old-fashioned flat files into electronic form with the normalization and authentication of the data. Failing to build relationships among the functions in a database will yield confusion and inaccuracy. Every data point must have a unique identifier to make a record meaningful and to avoid orphan data that cannot be traced back to its origins. All the data in each table must relate to only one concept. This keeps the information from being confused.

A second kind is the data warehouse function. It is more appropriate for storing data of historical value, time series information and collections of information over time. This kind of database has a focus on data validation and retrieval for analytical use. Its power comes from speed of data retrieval and the volume of data handled. This kind of data design supports executives and decision-makers and is often used for...