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Database Management Software: Features, Types, Benefits, and Uses
Enterprises are continuously sharing large amounts of data, making it difficult to manage their data.
One possible solution for data management is Database Management Software (DMS) which allows organizations to improve data accessibility and simplifies the management process.
In this blog, we’ll delve into how DBMS works and shed some light on the benefits it brings to the table.
In this article, you’ll find out the following:
- What is Database Software?
- Main Features of Database Management Software
- Types of Database Management Software
- Advantages of Database Management Software
- Applications of Database Management Software
- Astera Centerprise- Database Management Software for your Business Needs
What is Database Management Software (DBMS) Used For?
Database administrators use Database Management Software, or DBMS, for storing, changing, and managing data in a database environment. It enables users to design personalized data storage to meet their analytics and reporting needs. Database software design also supports creating, implementing, and maintaining an organization-wide data management system.
Generally, most DBMS packages allow users to create databases, store data, and update data through SQL queries.
Over the years, new database management systems have arrived with different architectures and applications. These applications focus on meeting the modern-day requirements, providing support for data modeling, data integration, multimedia data, machine learning, etc.
An example of a typical database management tool is MySQL, a managed database service to deploy cloud-native applications. Other options include Microsoft SQL Server, SAP HANA, Oracle, and Microsoft Access.
Main Features of a DBMS
An efficient database management system tool should include the following features:
Data Normalization
The risk of data duplication in a database is relatively high as multiple users share it simultaneously. Data normalization mitigates this risk and minimizes the chance of destructive anomalies appearing. No data redundancy and repetition save storage and significantly improve access time.
Rules and constraints defined by users
Referential Integrity constraints help organizations prevent accidental damage to the database by authorized users. Database management software allows users to define validation and integrity rules and conditions to ensure data satisfies the semantics.
Security protocols
Security controls protect the integrity of a database and the data and records residing in it. Some essential DBMS security controls include data encryption, user authentication, and user authorization.
Data backup
A backup protects your database against data loss. A copy of files stored in a database must be available to reconstruct data in case data get lost or corrupted. Most DBMSs support logical and physical data backup.
Data structuring
A DBMS must allow users to organize information in a database in a clear hierarchical structure. It means all objects, records, and tables can be arranged correctly, like a catalog, to access and retrieve the records easily.
In addition, you must also look for various features and functionality depending on your use case. For example, a DBMS should offer easy database customization options, support multi-user access, and contain a metadata library.
How Many Types of Database Management Software Are There?
DBMS can be classified into five types. These types, with examples, include:
1- Hierarchical DBMS
A hierarchical data management solution stores data in a parent-children relationship node, each representing a particular entity. This type of database management software allows one-to-one and one-to-many relationships. For e.g., a parent node can have one or multiple child nodes. Whereas the children node can only have one parent node.
Hierarchical Database Model (Source: DBMS Internals)
2- Network DBMS
A network DBMS model supports many-to-many relationships, which helps store real-life relationships between entities. It is an extension of the hierarchical data management solution that allows modelers to design more flexibly. In this DBMS model, the child nodes are represented by arrows.
A Network Database Model (Source: The Intact One)
3- Relational DBMS
A relational DBMS is a model where relationships are based on the entities’ data. It offers greater flexibility compared to hierarchical and network models. It also allows more simplified relationships between entities, making it a popular choice among data modelers. Data stored in fixed structures can be organized efficiently using SQL.
Figure 3. Example of a Relational Database Model (Source: ResearchGate)
4- Object-Oriented DBMS
An Object-Oriented DBMS — as the name suggests — is based on object-oriented programming (OOP). It’s a data management solution where entities are represented in objects and stored in a memory database.
It provides a unified programming environment and is compatible with various programming languages. These languages include Java, C++, .Net, and Visual Basic, to name a few.
An example of an Object-Oriented Database Model (Source: Data Integration Glossary)
5- Distributed DBMS
A distributed database management system (DDBMS) is a type of database management system that enables the storage and management of data across multiple computers or nodes in a network. In a distributed database system, data is divided and stored across multiple physical or logical locations, and the management of the database is decentralized.
Source: Phoenixnap
Advantages of a Database Management Software
We have familiarized ourselves with the definition of database management system dbms and the types of DBM software. Now, look at the functions and benefits of database management system:
Better Data Sharing
Implementing a DBMS allows onsite and remote users to quickly share the data by following the correct authorization protocols. It helps improve data accessibility, enabling users to share organizational data swiftly and efficiently.
The improved data processes provide an intelligent solution to database queries, even ad-hoc and impromptu ones. It results in accurate and swift data access that facilitates more informed and timely decisions.
Better Security
Data security is a vital aspect of a database. Hence, a data management solution only allows authorized users to access the database. The authentication is managed using a username and password. Access controls prevent unauthorized users from accessing resources in a database, which can potentially violate integrity constraints.
Effective Data Integration
A DBMS provides an integrated picture — a bird’s eye view, so to speak — of the operations and processes of an organization. The unified data allows companies to evaluate the controls and performance effectively and quickly.
Informed Decision-Making
Data-driven decisions can give businesses a competitive advantage, but data is valuable only when it is reliable. Using a DBMS, organizations can ensure data accuracy and quality for analysis and decisions.
Increase In Efficiency and Productivity
Deploying a DBMS help increase data accessibility and streamline information. It boosts end-user productivity and improves efficiency and speed for an organization.
Data Integration
Instead of storing data in isolated database systems, a single interface can manage databases with physical and logical relationships.
Applications of Database Management Software
Following are some of the applications of database software in different industries:
- Banks: Banks use DBMS to store client info, account activities, disbursements, credits, and mortgages
- Airlines: Airlines store flight bookings and scheduling info in databases.
- Education: Educational institutes store student information, course registrations, and results in database systems.
- Telecommunication: Telcos use databases to store call archives, monthly bills, retaining balances, and other call-related information.
- Economics and Finance: DBMS stores data about bonds, transactions, and acquisitions of fiscal instruments, such as shares and stocks.
- Sales and Marketing: Prospect and customer information are stored and accessed via databases.
- Human Resources: Records about workers, wages, payroll, deductions, generating salaries, and more information are kept in database systems.
Database software collects programs that allow users to store, reform, and extract data from a database. There are several database management systems (we have discussed the four most popular ones in this blog). The terms hierarchical, relational, object-oriented, and network denote how a database management software organizes data internally.
It can be challenging for data-driven enterprises to operate DBMS requires in-house expertise. Moreover, a DBMS’s cost, size, and performance vary, and organizations must evaluate use cases accordingly.
Streamline Data Management with Astera
A data integration software can retrieve data stored in these databases and integrate it with other systems. To find out how Astera Centerprise performs this integration, take a 14-day free trial of the software or watch the product demo.
Authors:
Tehreem Naeem
