How you can take control of your data by selecting the right database management system

In today’s data-driven world, efficient database management is crucial for businesses due to the vast amount of data being generated and stored. Since the early days of pioneers like Charles Bachman, who developed the first company-wide database management system (DBMS), technology has evolved significantly. From object-oriented and object-relational database systems in the 1990s to cloud-based database management systems today, the field continues to progress rapidly.

With the importance of effectively accessing, managing, and retrieving data only increasing, it’s vital to choose the best database management system for your needs. In this article, we’ll explore the key benefits of implementing a DBMS and provide guidance on selecting the right solution for your organisation.

Effective data integration

Implementing a DBMS will showcase a more integrated picture of your operations by easily illustrating how processes in one segment of the organisation affect other segments. What was once done completely manually can now be fully automated and more accurate. How does this translate to benefits for businesses? being able to make informed decisions, identify opportunities and risks, and respond quickly to changes in the market.

Improved data quality

Data inconsistency occurs when different versions of matching data exist in different places in an organisation. For example, one group has a client’s correct email, another the correct phone number. By using a proper database management system and data quality tools, you can be sure that an accurate view of data is shared throughout your organisation.

Increased productivity and cost reduction

Working with a DBMS typically results in increased productivity because a good DBMS empowers people to spend more time on high-value activities and strategic initiatives, and less time cleaning data and manually scrubbing lists. Also, the complexity of massive data makes manual processing very challenging and time consuming. A good DBMS automates most aspects of the data management process, which saves an enormous amount of time. This means that companies need to employ fewer resources to manage the data.

Sharing and Security

While increased accessibility and usability of a database are desirable, they can also lead to heightened security concerns. As the number of users grows, so does the rate of data sharing and the potential for security risks. In the corporate world, organisations invest significant resources to ensure data is secure and properly managed. A DBMS offers an enhanced platform for implementing data privacy and security policies, helping companies bolster their data security measures.

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of database management, next up is choosing the right system. In a world of excess supply it’s quite a challenge to find the best database management tools, here are some factors to consider when selecting data management tools/systems:

1. Identify your needs: start by identifying the specific data management needs of your business. This could include requirements for data storage, data processing, data analysis, data visualisation and data security. By understanding your needs, you can narrow down the list of tools that are the best fit for your organisation.
2. The type of data: different data management tools are designed for different types of data, such as structured or unstructured data, or data in a specific format. Consider the type of data you need to manage and choose tools that are well-suited to handle your type of data.
3. Scalability: are the tools you are evaluating capable of handling the volume of data you need to manage? Can they scale to meet your future needs?  Ideally, you want to select tools that can scale alongside your organisation while maintaining optimal performance.
4. Integration: how efficient can you integrate the potential systems with other tools and systems that your organisation uses? This is particularly important if you have an existing IT infrastructure that you need to work with.
5. Ease of use: opt for tools that are easy to use and require minimal training. Ideally, one with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to configure and manage.
6. Support: examine the level of support offered by the vendor or community of these systems. You want to choose tools that have a strong support network, including documentation, training, and a responsive support team.

If you still don’t know where to start between MySQL, MongoDB, Oracle and many others to choose from, take a look at this article that listed the top 23 databases to use in 2023, each with their pros and cons.